CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
200 mg · Daily, with a fat-containing meal
Evidence
- Human Studies
- 100
- Animal Studies
- 50
- Clinical Status
- Dietary Supplement
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Long-Term Safety
- Well-tolerated in trials; evidence for its most common use case (offsetting statin-related muscle symptoms) is mixed across studies
What this score is: a measure of how much research exists and how far along it is (animal-only vs. human trials, research-stage vs. FDA approved) — not how safe, effective, or worth trying a compound is. A low score usually means “early stage” or “understudied,” not “bad.” A high score doesn’t mean “better” for your goals than a lower-scored one.
This is not my personal rating of the compound, not a recommendation, and not medical advice. It’s a general research synthesis for informational purposes only, not a live literature count. See the linked research and talk to a licensed clinician before making decisions based on it.
Mechanism
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound central to mitochondrial ATP production and also functions as an antioxidant. Statin medications reduce endogenous CoQ10 synthesis as a side effect of the same pathway they block for cholesterol, which is the main clinical rationale for supplementing it. Ubiquinol is the reduced, more bioavailable form versus ubiquinone.
Common Protocols
- 100–200 mg daily with a fat-containing meal for absorption
- Commonly recommended specifically for people on statin therapy, though evidence there is mixed
Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated
- Mild GI upset
- Rare: insomnia if taken late in the day
Interactions
- May reduce the effectiveness of warfarin — flag to a clinician if on blood thinners
Practical Details
- Cost
- $$
- Typical Dose
- 200 mg
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from light
Research Links
Mitochondrial cofactor; often recommended alongside statin use