Research has shown that CoQ10 plays several key roles in your body. One of its primary functions is to help generate energy in your cells. It's involved in making adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is involved in energy transfer within cells ( 2 ).
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a popular nutritional supplement, an antioxidant and an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Several clinical studies have suggested that fatigue can be reduced by antioxidant supplementation.
CoQ10 lives in the cell's mitochondria. The compound aids in energy creation and transport. In fact, large organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys require large stores of the nutrient to function. That's also the reason this supplement supports cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and protects from free radicals.
For example, several studies have found that CoQ10 supplementation (60–100 mg/day for 4–8 weeks) improves aerobic power, anaerobic threshold, exercise performance, and/or recovery after exercise in trained athletes and untrained individuals [12-14].
CoQ10 supplementation is associated with increased energy levels. 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.
CoQ10 supplements may improve heart health and blood sugar and help manage high blood pressure in people with diabetes. Preliminary studies found that CoQ10 improves blood sugar control. But other studies show no effect. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian before taking CoQ10.
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.
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.
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.
There's no standard guideline for the best time to take CoQ10. However, the general rec is to take CoQ10 in the morning with a meal, due to its potential energizing effects. * But like all supplements, CoQ10 isn't one-size-fits-all—so it's possible that a later-in-the-day dose might work for you.
CoQ10 as an Antidepressant
Most research on CoQ10 and antidepressants have looked at the likelihood that antidepressants may deplete CoQ10 levels, but new research suggests that CoQ10 might also act in the other direction, e.g., as a natural antidepressant.
So if you are going to try CoQ10 for fatigue, try about 300 mg a day because this is the level that has been shown to improve physical and mental fatigue in otherwise healthy people.
Dr. Mercola recommends starting with 200 to 300 mg per day, and then ramping down to 100 mg/day after three weeks when your CoQ10 plasma levels plateau. If you experience a lot of stress, though, 200-300 mg/day Is recommended.
Discussion: The results show that lowered levels of CoQ10 play a role in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and that symptoms, such as fatigue, and autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms may be caused by CoQ10 depletion.
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.
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.
In some cases, doses may be gradually increased to 3000 mg per day. For heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF): 30 mg once daily, or up to 300 mg per day divided into two or three doses for up to 2 years. Also, 2 mg/kg daily for up to one year has been used.
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 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.
In addition to reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems in patients with liver disease, CoQ10 supplementation may also benefit the disease process within the liver by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
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.
Discussion: The results show that lower CoQ10 plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression and in particular in TRD and CFS accompanying depression. It is suggested that depressed patients may benefit from CoQ10 supplementation.