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Ubiquinol

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Posted on May 4th 2026 (3 months)

Beta-glucan versus psyllium for lowering LDL, PFAS reduction, creatine and caffeine, urolithin A, exogenous ketones, IVF, Botox, and sauna.

Posted on March 17th 2026 (5 months)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses nicotinamide riboside, biomarkers, belly fat loss, sex-specific health, curcumin & ashwagandha safety.

Posted on January 27th 2026 (6 months)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses supplement timing, exercise timing, supplements in older adults, folic acid vs. folate, and hydrogen-rich water.

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News & Publications

  • Most people with type 2 diabetes know they need to manage their blood glucose levels, but many may not realize they are at higher risk for heart disease. One potential option for reducing that risk is coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring antioxidant. A recent study found that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) helps lower blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.

    Researchers reviewed data from 16 clinical trials that measured CoQ10 levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They focused on changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, comparing those who took the supplement to those who did not.

    Their analysis revealed that CoQ10 lowered systolic blood pressure by about 4 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by about 3 mmHg. While it didn’t improve cholesterol levels overall, some subgroup analyses showed better results with lower doses (100 milligrams daily or less) and shorter study durations (less than 12 weeks). Notably, these findings were more pronounced in studies with larger participant groups (more than 50 people) and participants aged 55 or younger.

    A reduction of 4 mmHg in systolic blood pressure may seem modest, but even small reductions can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. For example, a comprehensive analysis found that a 5-mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by approximately 10%00590-0/fulltext).

    These findings suggest that CoQ10 could be a useful addition to diabetes treatment for managing blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular risk. A common feature of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is inflammation. Learn how to reduce chronic inflammation in Aliquot #84: Putting the Brakes on Chronic Inflammation

  • People with chronic fatigue disorders who took coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements experienced less fatigue, a recent review and meta-analysis has found. The greatest reduction in fatigue was found with supplements that contained CoQ10 alone, rather than those that contained a mixture of other dietary supplements.

    Researchers analyzed the findings of 13 studies involving more than 1,100 people who had conditions that commonly cause fatigue, such as heart failure, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. The study participants took supplements containing between 60 and 500 milligrams of CoQ10 daily for four to 24 weeks and reported on their fatigue levels. Some of the supplements contained CoQ10 alone, while some also contained NADH (the reduced form of NAD+) or multivitamins.

    The researchers found that participants who took supplements containing CoQ10 alone reported less fatigue than those who didn’t take CoQ10 or took it combined with other compounds. Only one participant reported any adverse effects (gastrointestinal upset).

    CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant compound produced in the body. It is also widely available as a dietary supplement. CoQ10 is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is responsible for the production of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

    The findings from this review and meta-analysis suggest that CoQ10, especially when taken alone, improves symptoms of fatigue in people with chronic conditions associated with fatigue.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and CoQ10 reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Some nutritional components benefit cardiovascular health, but others have no effect on cardiovascular health or may even harm it, according to a recent study. Nutritional components providing the greatest benefit include omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like compound produced in the body.

    Researchers analyzed the findings of more than 880 trials involving more than 880,000 participants that investigated the benefits of various macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds on cardiovascular health.

    They found that the nutritional components had varied effects on cardiovascular health. For example, while omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and CoQ10 reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease, selenium and vitamins C, D, and E had no effect on the risk for either cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes (which often coincides with cardiovascular disease). On the other hand, beta-carotene (a vitamin A precursor) increased the risk of death from all causes. The researchers did not investigate the effects of the various nutritional components in combination versus alone.

    This analysis demonstrates that nutrition plays important roles in maintaining cardiovascular and metabolic health and supports the findings of large, epidemiological studies that have demonstrated that adherence to dietary patterns that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and CoQ10, such as the Mediterranean Diet, for example, improves cardiometabolic health.

  • From the publication:

    In conclusion, thus far the studies conducted on human males generally reveal an insignificant effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on testosterone levels. Similarly, the studies conducted on animals, rather than the reproductive toxicity studies, did not show positive effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 on testosterone. However, coenzyme Q10 supplementation was found to counteract testosterone reduction induced by chemical reproductive toxicants, mainly by counteracting the destructive effect of the generated pro-oxidants. In addition, according to the peer-reviewed literature in this specific context of research, studies performed on human males have revealed no beneficial effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on infertile men. Thus, dietary supplements containing much lower doses may not have any influence on the studied subjects.

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps convert food into energy and protects cells against damage from reactive oxygen species. It is produced by the body and is particularly abundant in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Findings from a 2014 studied demonstrated that CoQ10 is beneficial in treating heart failure.

    People who have heart failure often have low levels of CoQ10 in their heart tissue. Low levels correlate with the severity of symptoms and the extent of left ventricular dysfunction – the inability of the ventricle to fill appropriately. Low plasma CoQ10 levels are independent predictors of death among people with heart failure.

    The study, called Q-SYMBIO, was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving 420 heart failure patients at 17 European, Asian, and Australian hospitals. Roughly half of the participants took 100 milligrams of CoQ10 three times daily for two years, while the remainder took a placebo. The authors of the study monitored the patients for changes in their changes in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, capacity to perform a six-minute walk test, and levels of N-terminal pro–B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) after 16 weeks of the intervention. NT-proBNP is a pro-hormone that increases as heart failure worsens and decreases when the condition is stable. The authors also tracked whether the participants experienced a major cardiovascular event during the two-year period.

    No changes in the participants' NYHA classification, walk test, or NT-proBNP were noted after 16 weeks of the intervention. However, after two years, 26 percent in the placebo group experienced a major cardiovascular event, whereas only 15 percent of the patients in the CoQ10 group did. Those who took CoQ10 were less likely to die from cardiovascular-related causes or other causes of premature death and were less likely to require hospitalization. Those who took CoQ10 also saw significant improvements in their NYHA classification after two years.

    These findings suggest that CoQ10 is beneficial in the treatment of heart failure and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular-related or other causes of premature death.

  • Exercise has well-established health benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, long term strenuous exercise can put stress on the bones. Findings from a recent study suggest that supplementation with ubiquinol during strenuous exercise provides benefits for bone health and energy metabolism.

    Ubiquinol, a bioactive compound that exerts antioxidant properties, is the reduced form of coenzyme Q10. It is found in foods such as beef liver, tuna, and broccoli and is also available as a dietary supplement.

    Previous research has demonstrated that ubiquinol positively affects performance during low-intensity physical activity. The current study investigated whether supplementation would affect performance and mitigate bone pathologies during vigorous exercise.

    The randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial involved 100 healthy and well-trained male firefighters. The authors of the study provided participants with a daily supplement containing either 200 milligrams ubiquinol or a placebo for two weeks. The participants performed two bouts of vigorous exercise, separated by a 24-hour rest period, and provided blood samples before, during, and after the exercise sessions.

    The blood samples revealed that supplementation increased biomarkers of bone formation, including parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin. The authors also observed increased levels of the transcription factor PGC-1α, and the hormones insulin, leptin, and noradrenaline, which they suggest may benefit skeletal muscle and mitochondrial function, providing a competitive advantage during training or recovery.

    These findings suggest that ubiquinol supplementation can support bone formation and skeletal muscle function during high-intensity exercise.