What Is Coenzyme Q10? Health Benefits, Risks, and More

Coenzyme Q10 Supplements 101: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More

Coenzyme Q10 Supplements 101: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More
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Updated on June 29, 2025
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Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, may not grab headlines the way other nutrients do, but it’s just as critical for overall health, especially for its crucial role in energy production within cells.

“Its popularity has been steadily climbing,” says David Rizik, MD, an interventional cardiologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It's gone from being a relatively obscure supplement known mainly to healthcare practitioners, to becoming a mainstream supplement that many people recognize and use regularly.”

Here, we cover what CoQ10 does, how much you need, and how it might have a positive impact on some top health concerns.

Potential Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 Supplements

Research has suggested that CoQ10 supplements may have benefits. “It’s a legitimate supplement with specific medical applications, but it's not a miracle cure or necessary for everyone,” Dr. Rizik says. It should be used thoughtfully and under medical supervision, particularly for those with existing health conditions or on other medications.”

While the research in CoQ10 is strong in some areas, other potential benefits have only been explored in animal or test-tube studies. Overall, more research in humans can help clarify whether CoQ10 lives up to the hype. Here are the top areas of ongoing research into the potential benefits of CoQ10:

May Help Support Heart Function

CoQ10 may improve heart failure outcomes when a person takes it alongside conventional treatment. The authors of a review published in 2023 concluded that CoQ10 is a beneficial supplement for supporting heart function in patients with heart failure.

CoQ10 may work by reducing oxidative stress, an imbalance between unstable molecules known as free radicals and the antioxidants that combat them, a well-known indicator of increased mortality in heart failure patients.

 It also supports production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that provides energy to facilitate the heart’s muscle contractions.

But Rizik cautions, “The supplement should never be used as a replacement for prescribed heart medications.” Always be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have heart-health concerns.

May Reduce Statin Side Effects

CoQ10 can help lower some side effects of statins, a drug taken by some people with heart failure.

 “A side effect of statins is that they deplete the body’s natural CoQ10 levels, which can cause muscle pain, known as myopathy,” says Rizik. “This isn’t just correlation — we understand the biological pathway.” In other words, research shows, and doctors agree, that by supplementing with CoQ10, some populations may be able to prevent muscle pain associated with statins.

May Help Prevent Migraine

According to the American Headache Society, CoQ10 is one of the most commonly used supplements to prevent migraine.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomized clinical trials with 221 participants total, the authors found that CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks, from nearly three migraine attacks to roughly one per month.

A recent randomized clinical trial involving 72 children ages 5 to 15 years old with a diagnosis of migraine reveals that CoQ10 supplementation was as effective as amitriptyline (a prophylactic drug used to prevent migraine) but had fewer side effects. The researchers concluded that CoQ10 may be a good option for the preventive treatment of migraine headaches, especially in the long term.

But researchers say that more studies of larger groups are necessary to determine if and how CoQ10 might benefit people with migraines.

May Help Lower Blood Pressure

CoQ10 may help lower blood pressure. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 randomized controlled trials found that CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats) in people with various health conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Researchers found that doses lower than 200 milligrams (mg) per day for more than eight weeks had the greatest effects on systolic blood pressure. However, found no differences in diastolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes) or heart rate.

The authors noted CoQ10 may be a promising adjunct for managing hypertension, especially for patients with mild elevations in systolic blood pressure.

 However, more research is necessary.

May Help Treat and Prevent Cancer

Studies show that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of cancer.

 As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is being studied for its potential role in treating and preventing cancer.
Animal studies find that CoQ10 enhances the immune system, making it a potentially beneficial adjuvant therapy that, when combined with standard cancer treatment, may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Meanwhile, laboratory and animal research suggests that synthetic or modified versions of CoQ10 may directly prevent cancer cell growth.

However, no clinical trials have been done in large groups of people. More research is needed to understand whether or not CoQ10 can help treat or prevent cancer in humans.

May Improve Fertility

Research suggests that antioxidants like CoQ10 may boost fertility in men and women by decreasing oxidative stress.

For example, in a systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials involving nearly 500 women, researchers found that CoQ10 supplementation increased the number of pregnancies by nearly 29 percent in women undergoing fertility treatments. Meanwhile, women who received a placebo saw a 14 percent increase in the number of pregnancies.

In another systematic review, researchers reveal that CoQ10 may increase sperm concentration and motility (the ability of the sperm to travel toward the egg). However, none of the 24 studies included in the review showed increased pregnancy rates or live births.

More research is needed to measure CoQ10’s impact on fertility in men and women.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Coenzyme Q10

As with starting any new supplement, always speak with your healthcare provider before taking one. The same goes for CoQ10. That’s especially true if you’re managing an underlying health condition or taking a prescription medication, since the supplement does have the potential to interact with some common medications.

Since CoQ10 is considered a dietary supplement rather than a drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate it in the same way it regulates pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter medications. More on that below.

Risks

CoQ10 supplements may lower blood sugar and blood pressure.

 In doing so, there may be interactions with certain medications, including beta-blockers (a type of medication that lowers blood pressure), and the diabetes drug insulin (which reduces blood glucose).

CoQ10 may also interfere with warfarin, an anticoagulant (blood thinner), says Bojana Jankovic Weatherly, MD, a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a certified functional medicine practitioner in private practice in New York City.

Dr. Jankovic Weatherly adds that CoQ10 may make chemotherapy drugs less effective, given that it is an antioxidant.

Side Effects

Clinicians generally consider CoQ10 to be safe for most healthy people. According to the NCCIH, no reports of serious side effects have circulated.

 If you do experience side effects, they’re likely to be mild, Jankovic Weatherly says. These common side effects are:

If you experience any of these, speak with your healthcare provider.

Forms of Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so you'll want to take it with a little bit of fat to help with absorption.

There are two forms of CoQ10 supplements: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is the naturally occurring form of CoQ10, whereas ubiquinol is the active form.

 After you take CoQ10 (ubiquinone), it converts into ubiquinol in the gastrointestinal tract and moves through the circulation, Jankovic Weatherly says.
Unfortunately, this conversion means you may absorb less of the active compound than the dosage indicates. “The body poorly absorbs ubiquinone, which reduces its bioavailability,” Jankovic Weatherly explains. Bioavailability refers to the ease with which the body can absorb and use a particular drug or other substance.

 On the other hand, the body absorbs ubiquinol more easily, “so clinicians generally recommend it,” Jankovic Weatherly says.
CoQ10 supplements are available in the following forms:

  • Soft gel capsules
  • Liquids
  • Tablets
  • Tinctures
  • Gummies

Food Sources of Coenzyme Q10

Most people get enough CoQ10, as the body naturally produces sufficient amounts through a balanced diet.

Experts generally recommend choosing food over a supplement for optimal health. There are no dietary recommendations for coenzyme Q10 from the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. Still, it’s been estimated that the average dietary intake of CoQ10 should be about 3 to 6 mg per day.

The richest sources of CoQ10 include organ meats, meat, poultry, and fish, followed by oils, nuts, and seeds, and then fruits and vegetables. Here is the amount of CoQ10 you’ll find in various foods:

  • Beef (3 oz): 2.6mg
  • Herring (3 oz): 2.3mg
  • Canola oil (1 tbsp): 1mg
  • Peanuts (1 oz): 0.8mg
  • Broccoli (½ cup): 0.5mg
  • Strawberries (½ cup): 0.1mg

How to Choose and Store Coenzyme Q10 Supplements

Follow these tips to pick the most effective CoQ10 supplement and maintain its quality.

Selection

To maximize the possible health effects of CoQ10, look for a ubiquinol supplement — they’re sometimes labeled as CoQH-10 or CoQH2-10.

 If the label reads CoQ10, you can probably assume that it contains ubiquinone only, Jankovic Weatherly says.
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements in the same way as prescription medications, in that supplements are not required to achieve pre-market approval for safety, effectiveness, or purity before it’s sold. So, it’s up to manufacturers and distributors to evaluate the safety of their products before selling them.

But some manufacturers opt to have their supplements evaluated by a third-party agency to verify their safety and quality. This is known as third-party verification. Choosing a supplement that has been tested and verified by a third party may reduce your risk of adverse effects from an unsafe product and help you maximize the marketed benefits.

Third-party verified supplements typically list the name of the testing agency on the label. A few well-known agencies include ConsumerLab, NSF International, and U.S. Pharmacopeia.

Storage

Store CoQ10 supplements at room temperature or as directed on the label.

Dosage of Coenzyme Q10

Dosages of CoQ10 vary widely in research, ranging from 30 to 600 mg.

 It’s best to work with a healthcare provider to determine if CoQ10 supplements are appropriate for you, and, if so, to find the right dose for your specific needs.

The Takeaway

  • CoQ10 is an antioxidant the body naturally produces to help convert food into energy.
  • This antioxidant may support heart function, lower blood pressure, improve fertility, prevent migraine, reduce statin side effects, and lower cancer risk, though more research is needed.
  • CoQ10 supplements are generally safe but may cause some side effects, such as insomnia, stomach upset, and nausea. Supplements may also interact with chemotherapy, blood pressure, diabetes, and blood-thinning medications.
  • Consult your healthcare provider if you’re interested in taking CoQ10, especially if you have a chronic health condition or take medications.

Common Questions & Answers

What is coenzyme Q10 used for?
CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps cells convert food into energy. It may help prevent migraine, improve fertility, lower blood pressure, support heart function, reduce statin side effects, and prevent cancer. However, more research is needed to understand these potential benefits.
Most people produce enough CoQ10 and obtain plenty through a balanced diet. Yet supplements may be helpful for people with lower levels of CoQ10, including those with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, heart failure, and fibromyalgia, and those who take statins. CoQ10 supplements may also help prevent or treat certain heart conditions and migraine.
CoQ10 is generally considered safe, though it may cause mild side effects, such as stomach upset and nausea. It may also interact with chemotherapy, blood pressure, diabetes, and blood-thinning medications.
Daily CoQ10 supplementation is generally well-tolerated in doses up to 1200 mg. However, don’t take a CoQ10 supplement without checking with your doctor first, especially if you have an underlying health condition or are taking a prescription medication.

There are two forms of CoQ10 supplements: ubiquinone (naturally occurring CoQ10) and ubiquinol (the active form). The body typically absorbs ubiquinol better, meaning more of the substance is available for the body to use. For this reason, clinicians tend to recommend choosing ubiquinol.

Additional reporting by Julie Kendrick.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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