Muscle pain caused by statin drugs (statin-induced myalgia). Statins, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol, can sometimes cause muscle pain. There is some evidence that taking coenzyme Q10 might reduce this pain. But not all research agrees. Taylor, B. A., Lorson, L., White, C. M., & Thompson, P. D. (2015, February). A randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with confirmed statin myopathy. Atherosclerosis, 238(2), 329–335

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient that is in most of our body tissues, with the highest concentrations in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It helps cells to produce energy, and it functions as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage. While most people get enough CoQ10 from food, some people, including those taking statin drugs, older adults, and those with cardiovascular disease, may benefit from a CoQ10 supplement. This is mainly because these groups are at higher risk of CoQ10 deficiency due to depleted stores or lowered natural CoQ10 production. Some studies also suggest coQ10 supplementation may help boost fertility. Note that a CoQ10 supplement may interact with warfarin and insulin, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before supplementing with CoQ10. Food Supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be substituted for a varied diet or healthy lifestyle.

They claim that purity and affordability are absolutely necessary for a daily-use lifestyle supplement, and one should never be compromised for the other. A: In terms of an acute dose, it will take six hours for your body to start feeling the effects of CoQ10 due to its slow absorption rate. Zozina Vl, Covantev S, Goroshko OA, et al. Coenzyme Q10 in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases: current state of the problem. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2018;14(3):164-174. doi:10.2174/1573403X14666180416115428

CoQ10 exists in two chemical forms - oxidised (ubiquinone) and reduced (ubiquinol). Once it's oxidized, CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is then used by the body where it transforms and becomes ubiquinol. Reduced CoQ10 (ubiquinol) behaves in the same way, turning into ubiquinone when it carries out its role in the body. Pregnant or breastfeeding people. While there are some studies on CoQ10 supplementation in these populations, there are not that many. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it may be okay to take a CoQ10 supplement, but you should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider first. However, taking 200 mg twice daily with food is considered the average dosage needed to maintain therapeutic blood levels of CoQ10 for most people. Balercia G, Arnaldi G, Lucarelli G, and et al. Effects of exogenous CoQ10 administration in patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. International Journal of Andrology 2000;Suppl 23:43. González-Guardia, L., et al. (2015). Effects of the Mediterranean diet supplemented with coenzyme Q10 on metabolomic profiles in elderly men and women.What’s more, the supplement may reduce heart disease risk factors, such as by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol ( 17).

An eye disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Aoki S and Yamaguchi K. [Clinical experiences in use of cinnarizine and CoQ10 for treatment of sensorineural tinnitus]. Shinyaku to Rinsho 1970;29:1541-1546. Many people will be just fine without a CoQ10 supplement; however, there are certain groups who are at higher risk of a CoQ10 deficiency or who otherwise may benefit from taking a CoQ10 supplement. They include: According to both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society, CoQ10 may be effective in preventing migraines, although the research to support this is still limited. It is possible that CoQ10 has this effect because it keeps the mitochondria in the cells healthy. Easing statin side effects You should always talk to your doctor about your supplementation routine if you are taking prescription medication—this is especially important for people with heart conditions, because other medication like warfarin has negative interactions with CoQ10—but taking a CoQ10 supplement should definitely be something you consider if you are taking statins.Shargorodsky M, Debby O, Matas Z, Zimlichman R. Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 Jul 6;7:55. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-7-55. It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking. One study found that infertile men who took 300 mg of CoQ10 per day had statistically significant improvements in their sperm quality ( 9 ).