Answer: Yes, it is possible that CoQ10 is making it harder for you to fall asleep. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this effect. Learn more in the Concerns and Cautions section of the CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review.
Side Effects
It should be noted that taking CoQ10 close to bedtime may cause insomnia in some people, so it's best to take it in the morning or afternoon ( 41 ). CoQ10 supplements can interact with some common medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs.
CoQ10 is fat soluble, so it should be taken with a meal containing fat so your body can absorb it. Also, taking CoQ10 at night may help with the body's ability to use it.
A significant improvement in fatigue and sleep quality was found in the CoQ10 group as compared to the baseline and the placebo group (p = . 06 and p = . 001, respectively).
CoQ10 supplements appear to be safe and to produce few side effects when taken as directed. Mild side effects might include digestive problems such as: Upper abdominal pain. Loss of appetite.
If you have been taking CoQ10 supplements while trying to conceive or through fertility treatments, we recommend stopping as soon as you are pregnant UNTIL you discuss it with your doctor.
As with other supplements that boost energy levels, CoQ10 users have reported side effects such as slight stomach upset, headaches, feeling jittery or “wired,” and experiencing mild insomnia. Other side effects reported less often include palpitations, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, and rarely, rashes.
Like Urolithin A, CoQ10 is not a stimulant like caffeine. It boosts energy on the cellular level, so the effects are not immediate. These two molecules optimize energy on the cellular level, and their impact will build over time with consistent intake.
How much CoQ10 should you take? There is no established ideal dose of CoQ10. Studies have used doses of CoQ10 ranging from 50 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams in adults, sometimes split into several doses over the course of a day. A typical daily dose is 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams.
CoQ10 stimulates the cell's powerhouse, an organelle called the mitochondria, to produce more energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). More specifically, it speeds up the process called the electron transport chain which produces 95% of the cell's ATP.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it's better absorbed by the body if taken with a meal that contains fat. Also, taking it at night may increase your body's ability to absorb it.
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between CoQ10 and magnesium oxide. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
First of all, the enzyme is found naturally in the body and, secondly, after CoQ10 is taken orally, its levels in the body don't peak until five to 10 hours afterward.
While most people tolerate coenzyme Q10 well, it can cause some mild side effects including stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can cause allergic skin rashes in some people. It also might lower blood pressure, so check your blood pressure carefully if you have very low blood pressure.
These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
CoQ10 supplements aren't necessary for everyone. “If you have a balanced diet, and if you're young and healthy, you probably have enough CoQ10 in your body,” Peart says.
If you eat sources of saturated fat, like beef, switching to foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish, can help lower your heart disease risk. CoQ10 may offer benefits if you already struggle with cardiovascular disease risk or you've had a heart attack.
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, which have been linked to the inflammatory response.
Improved Brain Health
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that in 18 people with depression found that 400 to 800 mg/day CoQ10 for a month decreased the severity of depression symptoms and significantly improved symptoms of fatigue, sadness, and difficulty concentrating or brain fog.
At the completion of the trial, patients receiving CoQ10 supplementation experienced an improvement in depressive symptoms and significantly increased CoQ10 and serotonin levels, compared to placebo.
Coenzyme q10 regulates serotonin levels and depressive symptoms in fibromyalgia patients: results of a small clinical trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol.
For our patients, daily supplementation of CoQ10 can lead to doubling their weight loss over several months with the same calorie intake. Also, CoQ10 improves stamina and motivation to exercise, which further helps to achieve an optimal weight.
CoQ10 positively influences the age-affected cellular metabolism and enables to combat signs of aging starting at the cellular level. As a consequence topical application of CoQ10 is beneficial for human skin as it rapidly improves mitochondrial function in skin in vivo.
There are no apparent interactions between vitamin D and CoQ10, showing they're safe to supplement together. Some studies show that CoQ10 and vitamin D are beneficial for supporting heart health and exert protective effects on cardiovascular and renal health.
In the case of dietary supplements, solubilized CoQ10 formulations show enhanced bioavailability. The T(max) is around 6 h, with an elimination half-life of about 33 h.