Coenzyme Q10 (Coq 10) is the third most popular supplement in the US. With $700m spent each year, we ask if Coq 10 is the next big thing in the world of health supplements.
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It’s been touted for its anti-ageing benefits.
Doctors have even prescribed it in relation to a variety of different illnesses.
But is the research behind Coq 10 comprehensive enough? And more importantly, what are the benefits of Coenzyme Q10 for weight loss?
Read on, and we’ll give you the answers.
What is Coenzyme Q10?
Coq 10 is also known as Ubiquinone. It’s a fat-soluble compound found throughout the human body (1, 2).
Although Coq 10 functions similarly to a vitamin, it isn’t one. Mainly because it can be synthesized by humans whilst most vitamins can’t (2).
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Where is Coq 10 found?
Coq 10 is found all throughout the human body, thanks to its synthesis via the Coenzyme Q10 biosynthetic pathway (2).
One of the things that makes Coq 10 so special is its ability to assist in the production of a substance called Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP.
Remember ATP from biology class?
It’s utilized for energy (2) in all sorts of bodily reactions. Coq 10 also protects cell membranes and blood when acting as an antioxidant (1, 2).
We obtain most of Coq 10 from food sources: as much as 25% of Coq 10 found in our blood may come from dietary intake (2).
Wondering what the best food sources for this cool compound are?
It’s a delicious list: fish, poultry, meat and oils (such as corn, olive, canola, and soybean), as well as nuts and seeds for the veggies amongst us.
Studies estimate that the average person gets 3-6 mg/day (2), which means that for most healthy people supplemental Coq 10 is not necessary.
However,
Individuals with certain conditions may benefit from supplementation in addition to medical treatment.
This includes conditions like mitochondrial disorders, and congestive heart failure (2).
Recap
Studies estimate that the average person gets 3-6mg/day of Coq 10.
Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
What makes Coq 10 so special?
Well, a deficiency has been observed in patients with a number of different illnesses, so it might seem obvious that boosting your levels will help treat these disorders (1).
It’s still unclear though whether low levels of Coq 10 are actually the cause of ill health, or whether they are simply an unrelated symptom.
As you can imagine, Coq 10 has been studied heavily to assess its potential benefits.
These include:
- Improved quality of life and increased energy levels in people suffering from cardiovascular disorders
- Decreased oxidative stress and inflammation associated with coronary artery disease;
- Fewer side effects whilst using statin medications;
- Decreased blood pressure in some forms of hypertension;
- Reduced complications in people with both type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol;
- Anti-ageing effects on keratin resulting in healthier hair
- Reduction (up to 50%) in migraine frequency; and
- Decreased risk of developing preeclampsia in pregnancy (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Recap
Coq 10 has tons of potential benefits, but it’s still unclear whether low levels are the actual cause of ill health.
Coenzyme Q10 side effects and dosage information
Coq 10 absorption and bioavailability can vary greatly depending on its type and quality.
If taken with food, intestinal absorption of Coq 10 is approximately three times faster than without (1).
Coq 10 supplements are considered to be safe for most healthy people. However, they can affect blood coagulation, people taking drugs such as warfarin or antiplatelet medications such as aspirin may need to exercise caution (1, 2).
Additionally, since Coq10 takes part in processes occurring in the liver, supplementation may not be appropriate for people with liver disorders, as a build-up could potentially be harmful (1).
Typically, dosages up to 1200 mg/day for adults and 10 mg/kg/day for children are considered to be safe (1, 8).
If a higher dose than this is required for more than a few weeks then monitoring blood levels of Coq 10 is usually recommended.
However, Coq 10 toxicity has not been found to be a common problem, even at the maximum dosages used in studies (1).
And when side effects did occur, they were typically mild and generic, including headache, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
Recap
Daily dosages of 1200 mg for adults or 10 mg/kg for children are considered safe.
Can Coenzyme Q10 work for weight loss?
When it comes to weight loss, the results are a bit mixed. Animal studies tend to yield promising results. For example, one mouse study concluded that Coq 10 supplementation led to significant obesity prevention related to the hypertrophy of fat cells (9).
As these mice were obese and also affected by diabetes, it seems plausible Coq 10 could work for humans with the same conditions.
But here’s the thing:
Some human studies have found a direct link between decreased Coq 10 levels and increased body fat in older men (10).
Although this may sound like a useful discovery there is no evidence to demonstrate that supplementing with this vitamin-like substance will lead to weight loss (11).
In fact one of the few studies that measured the effectiveness for Coq 10 yielded some interesting conclusions, namely that other substances such as chromium and Vitamin B contributed to weight loss in the long term but Coq 10 didn’t appear to.
There are also two other important considerations to take into account here:
- Limited information on bioavailability means we are not certain it is even possible to boost Coq 10 levels by taking a supplement.
- Reduced Coq 10 levels are associated with ageing so even if it did work for weight loss, the benefits are likely to be limited to a smallish subset of the population.
Recap
When it comes to weight loss, results for Coq 10 are a bit mixed.
Conclusion: Reviewing the science behind Coenzyme Q10
So, what’s the deal with Coq 10? Is it really a useful supplement, or should you spend your money on something else instead?
In short, it depends what you want from CoQ 10 supplementation. Various studies have established a link between diminishing CoQq 0 and deteriorating health. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease, Coq 10 might seem like an option worth trying.
However, it is worth noting that no dietary supplement is approved for use as a medicine or cure to your ailments, and it is never recommended to use them as an alternative to more conventional treatments.
There are also some significant concerns surrounding the limited bioavailability of this ingredient, so it is best to do your research and determine the best way to optimize its absorption.
Furthermore, if you are looking to lose weight, this is by no means a proven benefit of Coq10. In fact, it seems from the research done on Coenzyme Q10, that it was less effective than other substances used in the same studies.
To learn more about ingredients that can help with weight loss, check out the Leanbean ingredients page.
Disclaimer: The information on the Leanbean blog does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as such. If you would like to learn more about your dietary requirements and related aspects of your health, speak with a registered medical professional.
