Risks. People with chronic diseases such as heart failure, liver problems, or diabetes should be wary of using this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Safety. No serious side effects of CoQ10 have been reported. Mild side effects such as insomnia or digestive upsets may occur. CoQ10 may interact with the anticoagulant (blood thinner) warfarin and the diabetes drug insulin, and it may not be compatible with some types of cancer treatment.
Blood-thinning medications: There have been reports that CoQ10 may make medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidigrel (Plavix) less effective at thinning the blood. If you take blood thinners, ask your provider before taking CoQ10.
A 12-week study in 50 people with diabetes found that those who received 100 mg of CoQ10 per day had significant reductions in blood sugar, markers of oxidative stress and insulin resistance, compared to the control group ( 27 ). Doses of 100–300 mg of CoQ10 per day appear to improve diabetes symptoms ( 28 ).
CoQ10 supplements might be beneficial for treating conditions such as congestive heart failure and preventing migraines. CoQ10 is considered safe, with few side effects. However, be sure to take this supplement under your doctor's supervision.
Recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with low levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol which in turn may further increase risk for heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many cardiologists place their patients on CoQ10 to help cardiac function as well as to reduce the bad side effects of statin cholesterol drugs. The supplement also may help decrease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing the bad inflammatory chemicals that lead to cartilage breakdown.
Is CoQ10 safe? Taking 100 mg a day or more of CoQ10 has caused mild insomnia in some people. And research has detected elevated levels of liver enzymes in people taking doses of 300 mg per day for long periods of time. Liver toxicity has not been reported.
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].
Unfortunately, some people experience side effects while taking these drugs. Statins, and some other prescription medications, can lower levels of coenzyme Q10 in your body. Your cells need CoQ10 to make energy. When levels are low, you may feel fatigued and achy, and some people complain of a sense of 'brain-fog'.
As has already been mentioned, CoQ10 is sometimes associated with fatigue.
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.
The findings of current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved lipid profiles by decreasing total cholesterol and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels, though did not affect triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) levels in patients with CAD.
Answer: Studies with CoQ10 have not shown serious adverse effects at moderate doses even when taken for several years — although it may be best to divide the dose over the course of the day.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a nutrient produced by the body and used for cellular energy, is often touted as being vital if you're taking statin drugs to lower cholesterol. Proponents of CoQ10 say it helps reduce muscle pain, which can be a side effect of statin use, and is an important energy source that the body needs.
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.