Ubiquinol Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

In the following study (2018) using 100 mg/day dosing of ubiquinol, the study showed that ubiquinol at 100 mg/day had beneficial effects toward improved diabetic parameters in people with diabetes, but had no significant impact on cholesterol and triglycerides:

Https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29936921/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' After 12 weeks of supplementation, glyco Hb (HbA1c) value was significantly decreased in the liquid ubiquinol group (P=0·03), and subjects in the liquid ubiquinol group had significantly lower anti-glycaemic medication effect scores (MES) compared with those in the placebo group (P=0·03). The catalase (P<0·01) and glutathione peroxidase (P=0·03) activities were increased significantly after supplementation. Plasma coenzyme Q10 was correlated with the insulin level (P=0·05), homoeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (P=0·07), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (P=0·03) and the anti-hyperglycaemic agents' MES (P=0·03) after supplementation. Lipid profiles did not change after supplementation; however, the subjects in the placebo group had a significantly lower level of HDL-cholesterol after 12 weeks of intervention. '

On the other hand, this meta analysis ( December 2022) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that not only did higher dose CoQ10 lower cholesterol and triglycerides, but 400 to 500 mg/day was most effective :

Https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36337001/

Here is a relevant quote from the meta analysis of RCTs : ' Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation decreased the TC, LDL-C, and TG levels, and increased HDL-C levels in adults, and the dosage of 400 to 500 mg/day achieved the greatest effect on TC. '

So here we see that while 100 mg/day ubiquinol has no effect on cholesterol and triglycerides, a dose of 400 to 500 mg/day definitely does have a significant lowering effect.

Proper dosing matters depending on what you are trying to achieve with ubiquinol/CoQ10.

Art

Since Deirdre just posted this new article about Ubiquinol/CoQ10 and its many health benefits here,

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/ubiquinol-benefits.html

I thought I would mention that I am currently using Ubiquinol at 800 mg/day. Some of you may wonder why so high of a dose, and the reason is simply because newer studies using higher dosing than what used to be the norm, are showing more benefit. As an example, this 2023 study in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) patients used 1500 mg/day to good effect at slowing disease progression. Keeping in mind that MSA is essentially an untreatable disease with a life expectance of just 3 to 5 years after diagnosis, this is an important study illustrating the value of higher dosing of ubiquinol.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10225719/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' High-dose ubiquinol was well-tolerated and led to a significantly smaller decline of UMSARS part 2 score compared with placebo. '

Although ubiquinol has shown benefit in relatively short term for specific health issues, I am not taking ubiquinol to try and radically improve a specific aspect of my health, but rather similarly to melatonin, to increase my chances for better health in my later years of life and to help stave off age related diseases, of which there are many such as cancer and cardiovascular disease as two big ones.

Ubiquinol, like melatonin, works to improve mitochondrial efficiency and function. Properly functioning mitochondria supply the power for the cells to operate properly and effectively. Poor functioning mitochondria are common in many disease states. The following study confirms that poorly functioning mitochondria are seen in multiple disease states :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7255501/#:~:text=Mitochondrial damage is implicated as, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes.

Here is a relevant study quote :

' Mitochondrial damage is implicated as a major contributing factor for a number of noncommunicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. '

Here is a study illustrating the value of ubiquinol as being beneficial in cardiovascular disease while helping to improve mitochondrial function as well as highlighting that one of the most common statins in general tends to inhibit CoQ10 availability in the body. CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8229886/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' Although the importance of CoQ10 can mostly be attributed to its function as an essential molecule for energy transduction in mitochondria, new findings support its relevant function as an antioxidant, not only in mitochondria, but also in other cell compartments and tissues in the organism as well as in plasma lipoproteins. Endogenous CoQ10 biosynthesis supplies sufficient levels of this quinone in disease-free individuals. However, CoQ10 deficiency is not only based on genetic failure, but also on chronic and age-related diseases such as CVDs. In this context, CoQ10 deficiencies have risen in CVDs, since statins, one of the most common lipid-lowering drugs used in CVD patients, diminish endogenous CoQ10 biosynthesis because its initial steps are shared with the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. In this context, it has been shown that CoQ10 can potentially be used as a treatment to ameliorate these deficiencies. '

So for me, I am looking more in the long term use of ubiquinol for my overall health in a similar way as I look at melatonin.

Art