Coenzyme Q10: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
CoQ10
Scientific name(s)
Ubiquinol, Ubiquinone, 1,4-benzoquinone
Family or group:
Pseudovitamins
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Coenzyme Q10 deficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Although rare, several cases of coenzyme Q10 deficiency have been reported with symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation is effective in treating these symptoms. Deficiencies are often related to oxidative stress or the use of certain medications such as statins. Oral administration of up to 800 mg three times daily is recommended to treat coenzyme Q10 deficiency in adults.
Posologie
Oral
150 - 2400 mg
Adults
A case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy associated with a muscle coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
Oral Coenzyme Q10 supplementation leads to better preservation of kidney function in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome due to primary Coenzyme Q10 deficiency
Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
Fibromyalgia ✪✪✪✪✪
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease causing muscle and joint pain and migraines related to increased oxidative stress and a decreased level of Coenzyme Q10 in the mitochondria. Supplementation with coenzyme Q10 reduces fibromyalgia symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue and muscle soreness, by decreasing cellular oxidative stress. A study compared the effects of a combination including CoQ10 and acupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. 60 female patients were divided into two groups to receive one of the two treatments for 3 months. The results showed a significant reduction in pain in both groups, although a more marked improvement was observed in the acupuncture group. A combination of CoQ10, vitamin D, alpha-lipoic acid, magnesium and tryptophan could be beneficial in improving fibromyalgia symptoms.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 300 mg
Adults
Synergies
Comparison between Acupuncture and Nutraceutical Treatment with Migratens® in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy activation in blood mononuclear cells of fibromyalgia patients: implications in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Oxidative stress correlates with headache symptoms in fibromyalgia: the effect of Coenzyme Q₁₀ on clinical improvement.
Coenzyme Q(10): a novel therapeutic approach for Fibromyalgia? case series with 5 patients.
Increased oxidative stress and coenzyme Q10 deficiency in juvenile fibromyalgia: amelioration of hypercholesterolemia and fatigue by ubiquinol-10 supplementation.
Diabetic neuropathy ✪✪✪✪✪
Coenzyme Q10 improves nerve conduction and neuropathic pain compared with placebo in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (type 2) and reduces overall oxidative stress. Another study shows that taking 100 mg of Coenzyme Q10 three times a day for 8 weeks reduces pain intensity and sleep disturbances due to pain compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral
300 - 400 mg
12 weeks
Adults
HIV infection ✪✪✪✪✪
Coenzyme Q10 strengthens the immune system, particularly in patients with HIV/AIDS. Taking Coenzyme Q10 increases the proportion of immune cells in the blood.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 200 mg
Adults
Congestive heart failure ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research has shown that heart failure is associated with low levels of coenzyme Q10.rnrnAn analysis of clinical research in patients with heart failure showed that daily intake of 30 to 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 improves physical capacity and reduces the mortality rate by 31% compared with placebo.rnrnOther clinical research has shown that adding oral coenzyme Q10 to conventional treatments appears to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of heart failure such as dyspnea, edema, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and insomnia in patients with mild to severe impairment. The duration of treatment, the severity of congestive heart failure, and the dose of coenzyme Q10 used may influence treatment effectiveness.rnrnIn heart disease, the effect of CoQ10 appears to be related to increased ATP synthesis, a reduction in free radicals, or membrane protection.rnrn
Posologie
Oral
30 - 300 mg
2 - years
Adults
Coenzyme Q10 as an adjunctive in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. The Q10 Study Group.
Coenzyme Q10: clinical benefits with biochemical correlates suggesting a scientific breakthrough in the management of chronic heart failure.
Treatment of congestive heart failure with coenzyme Q10 illuminated by meta-analyses of clinical trials.
Coenzyme Q10 in patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Coenzyme Q10 for heart failure
Effect of protection and repair of injury of mitochondrial membrane-phospholipid on prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Mortensen SA, Kumar A, Dolliner P, et al. The effect of coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure. Results from the Q-SYMBIO study. European Journal of Heart Failure 2013;15:S1-20.
Effects of Ubiquinol and/or D-ribose in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Effect of coenzyme Q10 therapy in patients with congestive heart failure: a long-term multicenter randomized study.
Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in patients with cardiac failure: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Migraine ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research shows that oral intake of Coenzyme Q10 in adults reduces the frequency of migraine attacks as well as the duration of the attack and associated symptoms such as nausea. In a meta-analysis of 5 studies, Coenzyme Q10 did not reduce the number of migraine attacks but did reduce their duration. The leadership of the American Academy of Neurology considers that Coenzyme Q10 may be effective for migraine prevention. Coenzyme Q10 has been used at a dose of 100 mg one to three times per day, or 150 mg once daily for 3 months.
Posologie
Oral administration
100 - 300 mg
3 months
Adults
Synergies
Efficacy of CoQ10 as supplementation for migraine: A meta-analysis.
Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on clinical features of migraine: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial.
Effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache: an open-label, add-on, controlled trial.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for prophylaxis in adult patients with migraine-a meta-analysis
Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive.
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 increases the body's antioxidant capacity and decreases a marker of cellular damage called malondialdehyde.rnrnIt has shown beneficial effects in mitochondrial disorders, improving exercise tolerance and overall function in affected individuals. CoQ10 is particularly useful in cardiovascular diseases: heart failure, hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes, where it protects against oxidative damage, especially in those with significant deficiency. Finally, in men with certain fertility problems, it may also improve sperm quality thanks to its antioxidant properties.rnrn
Posologie
Oral
30 - 150 mg
Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Adults: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
The impact of two doses of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for the Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Clinical Implications in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
The combination of CoQ10 and organic selenium yeast for 4 to 5 years reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to a placebo in elderly people living in Sweden according to a study that evaluated the effect of supplementation on plasma D-dimer levels, a marker of thrombosis and inflammation.rnrn
Posologie
Oral
200 mg
48 - months
Seniors
Synergies
Multiple sclerosis ✪✪✪✪✪
Through its antioxidant effect and stimulation of mitochondrial activities, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 reduces signs of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.rnrn
Posologie
Oral
500 mg
3 - months
Adults
Muscular dystrophy ✪✪✪✪✪
Through its bioenergetic properties, coenzyme Q10 improves the physical performance of patients with muscular dystrophies including Duchenne, limb-girdle, Becker, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth. rnrn
Posologie
Oral
100 mg
3 - months
Adults
Peyronie's disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking 300 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 for 24 weeks reduces pain related to Peyronie's disease, decreases the occurrence of new fibrous plaques, improves erectile function, and reduces plaque size compared with placebo. Patients taking this dose of coenzyme Q10 have a 75.6% chance of slowing disease progression compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral
300 mg
24 - weeks
Men
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of coenzyme Q10 on cholesterol levels in adults with hyperlipidemia. A meta-analysis shows that taking coenzyme Q10 at a dose of 100 to 200 mg per day for 12 weeks slightly reduces plasma lipoprotein A levels but does not affect total cholesterol, triglyceride, or LDL cholesterol levels. However, another clinical trial shows that taking 60 mg of coenzyme Q10 twice daily for 24 weeks reduces triglycerides by 20% and LDL cholesterol by 6% compared with placebo, without changing total cholesterol. Other clinical research in patients receiving statins shows that taking 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 daily with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement reduces total cholesterol by 6%, without changes in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, compared with statins alone and compared with statins plus the omega-3 supplement.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 200 mg
12 - weeks
Adults
Addition of omega-3 fatty acid and coenzyme Q10 to statin therapy in patients with combined dyslipidemia.
Effects of coenzyme Q10 on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: a double-blind randomized controlled study.
Effects of carnitine and coenzyme Q10 on lipid profile and serum levels of lipoprotein(a) in maintenance hemodialysis patients on statin therapy.
Supplementation with coenzyme Q10 reduces plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations but not other lipid indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
High blood pressure ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research shows that taking coenzyme Q10 at a dose of 50 to 100 mg twice daily, alone or with other medications, for 12 weeks lowers blood pressure. A meta-analysis of clinical trials shows that taking coenzyme Q10 at 100 to 900 mg per day for 24 weeks reduces systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, in patients with metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effect of coenzyme Q10 on blood pressure. It is possible that coenzyme Q10 is beneficial only in patients with hypertension who have low endogenous coenzyme Q10 levels.
Posologie
Oral
100 - 900 mg
12 weeks
Adults
Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10.
Effect of hydrosoluble coenzyme Q10 on blood pressures and insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease.
Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension.Ho MJ1, Bellusci A, Wright JM.
Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control: a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
The Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Blood Pressures Among Patients with Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Properties
Bioenergetic
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that is notably involved in the process of forming adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule the body uses as an energy source. Supplementation with CoQ10 also has the ability to improve mitochondrial function. rnrn
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Research suggests that a decrease in the antioxidant effect of coenzyme Q10 is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease in people with familial hyperlipidemia. In addition, patients with coronary artery disease appear to have a lower ubiquinol/ubiquinone ratio than healthy individuals. rnrnOn the other hand, coenzyme Q10 has been shown to improve diastolic function in patients taking statins.rnrnEvidence suggests that coenzyme Q10 may improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which can reduce total peripheral resistance and systolic blood pressure. This effect appears to be caused by increased endothelial production of prostacyclin (PGI2) or by increased sensitivity of arterial smooth muscle to PGI2. rnrnIn blood vessels, CoQ10 may directly contribute to the function of vascular smooth muscle cells by enabling them to dilate properly. rnrn
Usages associés
Improved cardiovascular health by supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10: applying structural equation modelling (SEM) to clinical outcomes and biomarkers to explore underlying mechanisms in a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled intervention project in Sweden
Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension
Effect of coenzyme Q10 on the risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction
Antioxidant
The reduced form of CoQ10 called ubiquinol is the CoQ10 supplement form that possesses most of the antioxidant properties. Ubiquinone and ubiquinol form a pair of molecules known as the REDOX (reduction-oxidation) couple, which is necessary for CoQ10's function within the electron transport chain.rnrnCoQ10 has the ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and to inhibit lipid peroxyl radicals, as well as to restore vitamin E (α-tocopherol) to its antioxidant state.rnrnIt is possible that CoQ10 supplementation may also induce the activity of antioxidant enzymes, providing an indirect antioxidant effect.rnrn
Usages associés
The impact of two doses of Coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for the Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Clinical Implications in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases
Anti-aging
CoQ10 acts on the expression of various genes involved in cell-to-cell communication, metabolism and the transport of substances necessary for cellular life, as well as on inflammatory processes. CoQ10 levels are higher during the first 20 years of life and begin to decline with age. rnrnStudies suggest that CoQ10 may inhibit the activity of an enzyme linked to aging called ECTO-NOX (arNOX). This enzyme, whose activity increases with age starting at 30, is suspected to play a role in the aging process. CoQ10 supplementation has been associated with a decrease in the levels of this enzyme.rnrnAnother recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involved 441 participants with an average age of 77 and low selenium levels. The study examined the effects of selenium and CoQ10 supplementation on five biomarkers related to aging. The results showed that this intervention significantly influenced these biomarkers, suggesting an anti-aging effect. The biomarkers studied were ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1: inflammatory processes and cell-to-cell communication), adiponectin (fat and sugar metabolism), leptin (regulation of appetite and metabolism), SCF (Stem Cell Factor: renewal and maintenance of stem cells), and OPG (Osteoprotegerin: regulation of bone resorption).rnrnThese results suggest that CoQ10 supplementation could slow certain aspects of the aging process.rnrn
Effects of an Intervention with Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 on Five Selected Age-Related Biomarkers in Elderly Swedes Low in Selenium: Results That Point to an Anti-Aging Effect - A Sub-Analysis of a Previous Prospective Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Supplementation with CoQ10 lowers age-related (ar) NOX levels in healthy subjects
Immunostimulant
Coenzyme Q10 may have positive effects on the immune response. It has been shown that coenzyme Q10 increases blood levels of IgG, T4 lymphocytes and the T4/T8 lymphocyte ratio. rnrnIn vitro research shows that coenzyme Q10 decreases the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-2 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.rnrn
Usages associés
Hypolipidemic
Coenzyme Q10 has a hypocholesterolemic effect, explained by an increase in HDL cholesterol levels and a decrease in total cholesterol levels, which is beneficial for blood circulation and heart function.rnrn
Usages associés
Neurological
Animal research shows that coenzyme Q10 reduces the production and deposition of beta-amyloid plaques in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease. This effect may be related to a decrease in malondialdehyde levels (a marker of oxidative stress) and an increase in superoxide dismutase activity (an essential enzyme in the mechanism of free radical removal). On the other hand, in cases of migraine, coenzyme Q10 may improve mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, which appears to be altered in some patients suffering from migraines.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 years and older: 30 mg - 2400 mg
The recommended daily intake is 30 to 100 mg in otherwise healthy individuals, but it may be increased in certain medical conditions. These doses should be adjusted if taking Ubiquinol, which has better bioavailability.
Interactions
Médicaments
Anticancer agents: moderate interaction
When combined with alkylating agents, antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 may block the anticancer action of chemotherapy that works by causing oxidative stress in tumor cells. The clinical effect of this interaction is still poorly understood.
Antihypertensives: moderate interaction
When combined with antihypertensive medications, coenzyme Q10 can further lower blood pressure. It should be used with caution. Antihypertensives that may potentiate the effect include: captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lozartan (Cozzar), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDivril).
Warfarin: moderate interaction
Repeated use of coenzyme Q10 in patients treated with warfarin can reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effects. However, clinical research suggests that CoQ10 may not significantly reduce warfarin's effect in a subject with a stable INR (International Normalized Ratio: describes the effectiveness of anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists).
Statins: moderate interaction
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors can reduce serum levels of coenzyme Q10. They block the synthesis of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor of coenzyme Q10. The effect of statins on coenzyme Q10 appears to be dose-related.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Coenzyme Q10: weak interaction
Gum arabic combined with coenzyme Q10 appears to increase CoQ10 absorption. Indeed, according to human and animal pharmacokinetic studies, emulsifying CoQ10 in gum arabic increases its absorption compared with CoQ10 powder alone. This may potentiate the adverse effects of coenzyme Q10.
Coenzyme Q10: weak interaction
Coenzyme Q10 can alter serum beta-carotene levels. According to clinical research, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 may increase beta-carotene levels. This implies a possibility of increased adverse effects.
Coenzyme Q10: weak interaction
Omega-3 fatty acids, when combined with coenzyme Q10, decrease its blood levels, which theoretically leads to a reduction in its biological effects.
Coenzyme Q10: weak interaction
Red yeast rice, which contains statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), can interact with coenzyme Q10 by lowering its blood levels.
Precautions
Hypertension: use with caution
Coenzyme Q10 has a blood pressure-lowering effect. It should be used with caution in patients treated with antihypertensive medications.
Contraindications
Breastfeeding women: contraindicated
There is not yet reliable information on the effect of coenzyme Q10 in breastfeeding women.
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Pregnant women should refrain from taking coenzyme Q10.
