CoQ10: What It Is, Uses, Health Benefits, And Everything You Need To Know

What are the benefits of CoQ10 supplements?

As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is good for a lot of things in the body. There are studies about how it can help people with certain health conditions improve, and there are also suggestions that it can help in boosting fertility in both men and women.

Here are some of the established and health benefits of taking CoQ10 as well as the other benefits that may still need further proof or studies.

Fertility

CoQ10 can be used in helping with fertility issues. The ovulation process in females requires a lot of cell energy since the human egg cell contains the greatest number of mitochondria than any other body cell. This is where CoQ10 can play a vital role--since the levels of this nutrient start to drop as people age, it can lead to decreased fertility as well. Boosting CoQ10 levels have long been linked to better fertility.

This works not only in women but also in men, as one of the greatest factors that can affect male fertility is the presence of free radicals, which in turn are fought by antioxidants like CoQ10.

Cardiovascular Health

Numerous studies have linked the use of CoQ10 in the prevention of certain heart conditions, as well as in aiding in the recovery of someone who had a recent episode such as a heart attack.

Other Benefits

There are other more benefits of CoQ10 that have been proven both through a study and through numerous user experiences such as helping in easing symptoms of migraine, lowering the risk of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, gum disease, and many other health conditions.

Are there side effects to using CoQ10?

As with all other supplements and nutrients, one must know the possible side effects and the possible risks of improper use of CoQ10. Generally speaking, CoQ10 is safe and poses no harm to the human body--after all, it is one of the many naturally existing antioxidants. However, the improper handling and use of it is what can lead to these possible side effects. Here are some of them:

Insomnia: some people who have had at least 100mg of daily dosage of CoQ10 have reported mild cases of insomnia, or at least restlessness causing lack of sleep.

Liver conditions: for those people that have had at least 300mg of supplements for an extended amount of time may have the risk of having elevated liver enzymes.

Other possible side effects: some people who have had varying dosages of this supplement have reported other side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, over-fatigue, dizziness, light sensitivity, and irritability, among others.

However, always remember that these possible side effects can vary from one person to another, and the way you take CoQ10 supplements as well as your overall health condition play a huge factor on the possible side effects you may have if you will have any at all.

Best CoQ10 Supplements

So how do you choose the best CoQ10 supplement for you? With all of the choices in the market out there, how would you know which one would be the best for you? After all, not all CoQ10 supplements are created equal.

There are two forms which CoQ10 supplements can come in: ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Both of these are true forms of CoQ10, and both will give you the wonderful benefits of this antioxidant. However, they differ in the way that the body absorbs them.

On the other hand, ubiquinol is the converted for of CoQ10 from ubiquinone. Unlike its oxidized form, ubiquinol is water-soluble and therefore can easily be absorbed into the bloodstream of the body. Among the two forms, ubiquinol has been seen to be overall more effective as it gets absorbed by the body faster, and thus the body reacts faster, too.

So, always check what form of CoQ10 your chosen supplement comes in. Remember, both are real, and both are effective--but ubiquinol wins for being more absorbable by the body.

Before you go

As always, do not take any supplement as your medication for any health condition that you have. These are not medicine, although they can aid in the treatment and recovery of some conditions. At the end of the day, it is always the best idea to consult with your doctor or physician for proper professional advice.

Useful links you can cite:

How to Pick the Right CoQ10 Supplement

Coenzyme Q10 Side Effects

Medical News Today - Side effects and risks

Mayo Clinic - Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10

CoQ10 and Fertility: Myths vs. Facts

How Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Affects Sperm Count and Motility