Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (coenzyme Q10)
Synopsis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone or in its reduced form ubiquinol, is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound found in nearly every cell in the body. It plays a critical role in cellular energy production, acting as a cofactor in the electron transport chain within mitochondria, where it helps generate ATP—the body’s main energy currency. CoQ10 is especially concentrated in energy-demanding organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver.
Beyond energy metabolism, CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage and helping to regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin E. It also stabilizes membranes, supports mitochondrial integrity, and reduces inflammation, making it valuable for a wide range of chronic conditions and age-related decline.
Clinically, CoQ10 is best known for its role in cardiovascular health. It has been extensively studied for its ability to improve symptoms and outcomes in congestive heart failure, hypertension, angina, and statin-induced myopathy. Statins, which reduce cholesterol, also lower endogenous CoQ10 production—leading to muscle pain and fatigue in some individuals—so CoQ10 supplementation is often used to mitigate these effects.
It is also used to support neurological function, fertility (especially in men), periodontal health, and mitochondrial disorders, and may have adjunctive benefits in conditions like migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, and metabolic syndrome. The ubiquinol form is more bioavailable and often preferred in cases of older age or poor absorption.
Historical Use
CoQ10 is a modern discovery, first identified in 1957 by researchers at the University of Wisconsin and later characterized in detail by British biochemist Peter Mitchell, who won a Nobel Prize for elucidating its role in cellular respiration. As a naturally occurring compound, CoQ10 has no known use in ancient or traditional herbal medicine systems, and it is not obtained through herbs but synthesized in the body and available in small amounts from dietary sources such as meat, fish, and whole grains.
Its use in medicine began in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in Japan, where it was approved as a prescription treatment for heart failure. Since then, interest in CoQ10 has expanded globally, supported by a growing body of clinical research and adoption in both conventional cardiology and integrative medicine.
Though it lacks a historical herbal background, CoQ10 represents one of the most researched and clinically relevant nutraceuticals of the past century. It is commonly included in heart health formulas, anti-aging protocols, energy support supplements, and mitochondrial therapy regimens, often in combination with L-carnitine, magnesium, taurine, or B vitamins.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is used for these health conditions
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Angina (Scientific)
Apathy (Scientific)
Arrhythmia (Scientific)
Arteriosclerosis (Scientific)
Athletic and Exercise Aids (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Cardiac Arrest (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Circulation (poor) (Scientific)
Congestive Heart Failure (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Endurance (lack of) (Scientific)
Energy (lack of) (Scientific)
Exercise (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Scientific)
Free Radical Damage (Scientific)
Heart (weakness) (Scientific)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations (Scientific)
Hypertension (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Migraine (Scientific)
Multiple Sclerosis (Scientific)
Muscle Tone (lack of) (Scientific)
Muscular Dystrophy (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Oral Surgery (Scientific)
Parkinson's Disease (Scientific)
Peripheral Neuropathy (Scientific)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Scientific)
Tinnitus (Scientific)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is used to support these body systems
Arteries (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Gums (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Muscles (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Products containing coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Circulatory System
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine SnorEase
