Ubiquinol

Ubiquinol is a derivative of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) that is fully reduced and saturated with extra electrons to assist in bodily absorbance. Because humans can synthesize ubiquinol, it is not classed as a vitamin. CoQ10 is a coenzyme present in most cell bodies of animals and is located primarily in the mitochondria.

Purpose:

CoQ10 and ubiquinol are key components in the electron transport chain, facilitating production of ATP in redox reactions. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance.

Why Supplement?

From Mayo Clinic:

• Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease, and in those who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
• CoQ10 is found in meat, fish and nuts. The amount of CoQ10 found in these dietary sources, however, isn’t enough to significantly increase CoQ10 levels in your body.

From SelfHacked:

• Increases antioxidant capacity.
• Reduces oxidative stress before exercise and increases endothelial cell function, cell energy, and muscle recovery post-exercise.  (The Mayo Clinic notes that research in this area has produced mixed results).
• In men, increases sperm count and motility.

From WebMD:

• Coenzyme Q10 has been used for heart problems (e.g., heart failure, angina), high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, gum disease, and certain diseases passed down through families (Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy). It has also been used for reducing the number of migraine headaches and for reducing cell damage that may occur after surgery or treatment with certain anti-cancer drugs.

From Ubiquinol.org

• Promotes optimal heart health.
• Supports natural cellular energy production.
• Replenishes Ubiquinol levels depleted by aging, certain health conditions, and/or cholesterol-lowering medicines.
• Is more bioactive than Conventional CoQ10 (ubiquinone).

Dosage:

From ConsumerLab:

• Among the 44 products tested by ConsumerLab, the suggested daily serving size ranged from 30 mg to 400 mg.

From ClinicalTrials.Gov:

• In a 2017 clinical trial, daily dosages of 600mg led to side effects vs placebo.

From SelfHacked:

• Ubiquinol doses vary based on the type of medication taken and the reason for taking it.
• In order to maintain healthy blood levels, consumers should take approximately 25-50 mg per day.
• If consumers are looking to improve brain function, 150-200 mg should be taken per day.
• When purchasing Coenzyme Q10 or ubiquinol for supplementation, the two ingredients needed for successful
  absorption are either BioQ10 or Ubiquinol, both in a soft gel capsule. They are sold as either 100 mg capsules or 300 mg capsules.

Side Effects / Adverse Events:

Side effects are possible, especially if the patient is allergic to the supplement ubiquinol.

•    Upset Stomach
•    Diarrhea
•    Nausea
•    Loss of appetite
•    Mild insomnia
•    Rash

Potential interactions:

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: drugs for high blood pressure, “blood thinners” (e.g., warfarin), drugs for diabetes, and drugs for high cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin).

CoQ10 might make anti-coagulants (blood-thinning drugs), such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), less effective. This could increase the risk of a blood clot.