Info: Available in Several Types and Formats
Several conditions have been associated with a deficiency of CoQ10 levels which may benefit from supplementation, including cardiovascular issues (especially congestive heart failure) and fibromyalgia, either alone or as an adjunct to other therapies.
For those prone to migraine headaches, CoQ10 may also decrease their frequency and possibly their severity and duration, if taken for at least a month.
Info: Available in Several Types and Formats
Several conditions have been associated with a deficiency of CoQ10 levels which may benefit from supplementation, including cardiovascular issues (especially congestive heart failure) and fibromyalgia, either alone or as an adjunct to other therapies.
For those prone to migraine headaches, CoQ10 may also decrease their frequency and possibly their severity and duration, if taken for at least a month.
Product Notes:
CoQ10 (or ubiquinone) is a molecule with a fairly complex chemical structure similar to vitamin K's. Its ability to readily acquire and exchange electrons not only enable it to be a cofactor (or coenzyme) for the large enzyme systems involved in producing energy in all the cells of our bodies (including in our hearts and brains) to power their functions, but also to serve as a potent antioxidant. Although we produce it ourselves and also get some in our diets, our endogenous production drops off after our mid-30s, and/or if we take statin drugs for cholesterol.
Naming Note
As Overvad et al. explain, "The name ubiquinone means 'ubiquitous quinone' and relates to the presence of the substance in all cells. The name coenzyme Q refers to the chemical structure and in coenzyme Q10, the human form, the molecule contains one quinone group and 10 isoprenyl units. Chemically Q10 is designated 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decaprenyl-1,4-benzo-quinone." Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease (Review). Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999 Oct.
Metagenics offers several types of CoQ10:
These three currently available types are licensed for supporting cardiovascular health and functioning as an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health, since CoQ10 is essential for energy production (which the heart needs plenty of) and it may help maintain healthy blood pressure; and it is not only a more effective hydrogen donor than other antioxidants (which enables it to help protect your heart and other organs from free radical damage), but it can also regenerate a related antioxidant, vitamin E, from its oxidized form, and has cell membrane stabilizing effects.
Metagenics CoQ10 ST-100 and CoQ10 ST-200
These formulas feature a stabilized encapsulation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) manufactured specifically for stability, purity, and bioavailability, in the strengths suggested in their names (100 and 200 mg per capsule, respectively), and they also add some zinc, since the combination might improve the lipid profile in the blood (the ratio of the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). For additional protection and possible insulin metabolism improvement, the ST-200 formula also provides the companion antioxidant, vitamin E.
Metagenics NutraGems CoQ10 300
And for those who want the strongest dose or who may have difficulty swallowing conventional capsules, the NutraGems CoQ10 300 comes in chewable gels, providing 300 mg each.
Metagenics CoQ Biovail
Previously marketed as Metagenics NanoCell-Q, CoQ Biovail is a fourth type which is expected to be available in Canada soon. It comes in a liquid format with a Natural Apple Flavour, and is explicitly geared to migraines (to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and associated nausea and vomiting, when taken on a preventative basis; there are supporting references for this below, in the asterisked [*] section), although it can also help maintain cardiovascular health.
Ingredients:
Metagenics CoQ10 ST-100 (gluten-free):
Each softgel contains:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubiquinone): 100 mg
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol): 67 mg AT
Zinc (as zinc oxide): 9 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: D-limonene, gelatin, glycerin, medium chain triglycerides, water, and turmeric powder, and mixed tocopherols.
Metagenics CoQ10 ST-200 (gluten-free):
Each softgel contains:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubiquinone): 200 mg
Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol and mixed tocopherols): 134 mg AT
Zinc (as zinc oxide): 20 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: D-limonene oil, gelatin, glycerin, medium chain triglycerides, water, and turmeric powder (for colour).
Allergy alert: This product is made in a facility that also produces products containing soy, fish, crustacean shellfish, and tree nuts.
Metagenics NutraGems CoQ10 300 (non-GMO and gluten-free):
Each chewable gel contains: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): 300 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: Sunflower oil, xylitol, water, sorbitol, gelatin, trisodium citrate, malic acid, natural cherry flavour, and lycopene.
Metagenics CoQ Biovail (vegetarian and gluten-free):
Each 1 Teaspoon Serving contains:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (ubiquinone): 100 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: Water, sorbitol, beta-cyclodextrine, xanthan gum, natural flavours, and potassium sorbate.
Suggested Usage:
CoQ10 ST-100, ST-200, or NutraGems CoQ10 300
Adults: Take one softgel (or chewable gel, for the 300 type) daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or natural health products.
CoQ Biovail
Adults: Take 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per day either alone or added to food or beverage, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Use for a minimum of 3 months to see beneficial effects in preventing migraines. Best to store product below 18C/68F initially. Refrigerate after opening. Do not freeze.
Warnings:
CoQ10 ST-200: Keep out of reach of children. If pregnant or nursing, or taking medication, consult your healthcare practitioner before use.
NutraGems CoQ10 300: Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking blood pressure medication, or taking blood thinners.
CoQ Biovail:
Keep out of reach of children. Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking blood pressure medication or blood thinners, or if migraine frequency increases and associated nausea and vomiting persist or worsen.
CoQ10 ST-100: Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking blood pressure medication, or taking blood thinners.
Health Canada Natural Product Numbers (NPNs): CoQ Biovail: 80090456; CoQ10 ST-100: 80029759; CoQ10 ST-200: 80046529; and NutraGems CoQ10 300: 80044614.
Supporting Science:
Cardiovascular Health
"Coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of heart failure: A systematic review of systematic reviews." Indian Heart J. 2018.
"Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in heart failure: Challenges and opportunities." Free Radic Biol Med. 2018.
"The effect of coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure: results from Q-SYMBIO: a randomized double-blind trial." JACC Heart Fail. 2014 Dec.
"Coenzyme Q10 and Heart Failure: A State-of-the-Art Review." Circ Heart Fail. 2016 Apr.
Migraines
In an open-label, add-on, controlled trial by Shoeibi et al. 2017: "Thirty-six and 37 patients were analyzed in CoQ10 and control groups, respectively. Number of attacks per month dropped significantly in the CoQ10 group (mean decrease: 1.6 vs. 0.5 among CoQ10 and control groups, respectively, p < 0.001). A significant reduction was also evident in the severity of headaches (mean decrease: 2.3 vs. 0.6 among CoQ10 and control groups, respectively, p < 0.001). No side effects for CoQ10 were observed. This study suggests that CoQ10 might reduce the frequency of headaches, and may also make them shorter in duration, and less severe, with a favorable safety profile." ("Effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache: an open-label, add-on, controlled trial." Acta Neurol Belg. 2017 March)
Fibromyalgia
There have been a number of published scientific case studies and small clinical trials from Spain and Thailand which found that fibromyalgia patients consuming 200 to 300 mg of CoQ10 supplementation per day experienced about one fifth to a third less pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and negative psychological symptoms.
"Effect of coenzyme Q10 evaluated by 1990 and 2010 ACR Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia and SCL-90-R: four case reports and literature review." Nutrition. 2013 Nov-Dec.
"Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Psychopathological Symptoms in Fibromyalgia Patients." CNS Neurosci Ther. 2017 Feb.
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