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 supplementation can improve learning and memory deficits induced by diabetes in older subjects. In addition, CoQ10 at higher doses can improve cognitive performance in older healthy subjects.
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.
Typically, 90–200 mg of CoQ10 per day are recommended, though some conditions may require higher dosages of 300–600 mg.
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.
Based on limited clinical research, CoQ10 is not likely to prevent dementia or protect the aging brain. Blood levels of CoQ10 were reportedly similar in people with and without mild cognitive impairment, suggesting that there is no association between lowered CoQ10 concentrations and cognitive decline [1].
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.
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.
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.
As has already been mentioned, CoQ10 is sometimes associated with fatigue.
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 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.
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.
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.
Subjects whose CoQ10 levels were among the highest 25% of participants had a risk of dementia that was 77% less than those whose levels were among the lowest 25%.
Those supplementing with 1,200 mg of CoQ10 per day for 60 days showed decreased oxidative stress ( 31 ). Moreover, supplementing with CoQ10 can help increase power during exercise and reduce fatigue, both of which can improve exercise performance ( 32 , 33 , 34 ).
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-a nutrient that has improved well-being, vitality, and energy in small studies of patients with breast cancer, the elderly, and veterans-was found to treat bipolar depression in a new randomized controlled trial.
Coenzyme q10 regulates serotonin levels and depressive symptoms in fibromyalgia patients: results of a small clinical trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol.
Furthermore, CoQ10 supplementation confers health benefits in elderly people by preventing chronic oxidative stress associated with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases (Gonzalez-Guardia et al., 2015).
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.
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.
Drug Interactions and Additive Effects
On the other hand, some studies have shown that CoQ10 has done the complete opposite to Vitamin K Antagonists and actually enhanced the anti-blood-clotting effect, which leads to excessive bleeding.