Healthy Shopping: How to choose a coenzyme Q10 supplement

Confused about CoQ10 supplements? Joanna Evans reveals what to look for and four top brands to try

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the most sought-after supplements on the market. A recent survey of over 10,000 regular supplement users by US research company ConsumerLab.com revealed that CoQ10 is the fourth most purchased supplement, above multivitamins and vitamin C, bought by over 40 percent of respondents.¹

It’s not hard to see why this vitamin-like substance is so in demand. A potent antioxidant, CoQ10 has been rigorously studied and shown to be beneficial for migraine,² chronic fatigue syndrome,³ Parkinson’s disease⁴ and cancer⁵ as well as heart disease, infertility and more.⁶

As reported in WDDTY, it’s also been found to slow telomere degradation, which is important for aging well.

But not all CoQ10 supplements are created equal. For those confused by all the different brands, products and formulations out there, here’s a quick guide to choosing a high-quality supplement.

Coenzyme Q10 comes in two forms: ubiquinone, the oxidized form, and ubiquinol, the reduced form. There’s some debate about which form is best absorbed and used by the body—or, in science speak, most “bioavailable.”

While some evidence shows ubiquinol might be superior in terms of bioavailability,⁷ other research has found this is not the case.⁸ Another study suggests the supplement composition, such as what excipients are used in the formulation, and personal biology matter more than the form.⁹

With this research in mind, go for ubiquinone or ubiquinol, but seek out reputable brands focused on purity and potency, with science-backed, filler-free formulations.

As CoQ10 is fat-soluble, it requires fat for absorption, so check the ingredient label of potential purchases to make sure some sort of fat or oil is listed along with CoQ10. And what you don’t want to see is added nasties like sugar, bulking agents and artificial sweeteners, colorings and flavorings.

Also check brand websites to see if a supplement is manufactured according to international quality standards, and always look for the dosage of CoQ10 per serving to make sure you’re getting good value for the money.

Here are a few of our top finds.

Viridian
Co-Q10 & MCT 100mg, $32.68/£31.20 (30 capsules)
viridian-nutrition.com
International shipping available

CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is paired with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil in this vegan formula to improve absorption. Also available in 30 mg or 200 mg strengths, this CoQ10 supplement comes in a base of alfalfa, spirulina and bilberry and, like all Viridian supplements, contains no junk whatsoever.

Thorne
CoQ10,100 mg, $46.00/£38.17 (60 gelcaps)
US: thorne.com; UK: iherb.com

This proprietary ubiquinone supplement is claimed to offer superior absorption over other CoQ10 formulations, thanks to its tri-lipid delivery system that uses conjugated linoleic acid, flaxseed oil and soy monoglycerides. Each gelcap provides 100 mg CoQ10 and is gluten-free and dairy-free with no unnecessary extras.

Solgar
Ubiquinol 100 mg, $31.87/£57.50 (50 softgels)
US: vitaminshoppe.com; UK: solgar.co.uk

Featuring CoQ10 as Kaneka Ubiquinol™, which is naturally produced by yeast fermentation and backed by more than 50 years of research, this supplement also contains olive oil for enhanced absorption. It’s gluten-free, includes no added nasties and, like all Solgar products, is manufactured in-house in small batches to the highest quality standards and bottled in glass.

Together Health
Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg, $15.48/£14.99 (30 capsules)
togetherhealth.co.uk
International shipping available

This naturally fermented, stable form of CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is cultured from good bacteria and comes in a base of coconut oil to facilitate absorption. The additive-free formula, which supplies 100 mg CoQ10 per capsule, also contains piperine (black pepper extract), which has been shown to boost the absorption of CoQ10 by 30 percent.¹⁰

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