How much CoQ10 should I take on a daily basis?

Health experts have yet to establish a recommended daily intake or upper safety limit for coenzyme Q10 because it’s not considered an essential nutrient. However, some research suggests coenzyme Q10 could be essential under certain circumstances. Read on to learn more about coenzyme Q10, recommended dosages and safe intake levels.

A conditionally essential nutrient

Because the body produces small amounts of coenzyme Q10, experts don’t consider it an essential nutrient. For this reason, no recommended daily intake or upper safety limit have been set. But, under certain circumstances, the body is unable to produce enough coenzyme Q10 to meet nutritional needs. In these cases, coenzyme Q10 becomes a “conditionally essential” nutrient and supplementing becomes especially important.1

Statin drug users may benefit from coenzyme Q10 supplements†

Coenzyme Q10 appears to be conditionally essential for people taking statin drugs. Lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin and other statin drugs are designed to lower cholesterol levels, but in the process they also appear to reduce blood levels of coenzyme Q10.2,3 In fact, some researchers and health care professionals now recommend coenzyme Q10 supplementation to help replenish healthy blood levels of coenzyme Q10, which may be depleted by statin drugs. 4,5 Interestingly, one group of researchers have reported that the combination of coenzyme Q10 and statin therapy may have supportive cardiovascular benefits.6†

Recommended amount & safe upper limit

Although the ideal amount of coenzyme Q10 for optimal health has yet to be determined, results from clinical studies indicate that a daily intake of 30-100 mg of coenzyme Q10 significantly raises blood levels of coenzyme Q10 in healthy individuals7 and amounts in the range of 100-200 mg per day appear to be beneficial for cardiovascular protection,8 particularly for those taking statin drugs.4,5†

Adverse effects with coenzyme Q10 supplementation are rare.9 No important adverse effects have been reported from experiments using daily supplements of up to 200 mg daily for 6-12 months and 100 mg daily for up to 6 years.10 Other researchers have reported that coenzyme Q10 was well-tolerated and safe for healthy adults at an intake of up to 900 mg/day for one month.11

Although these clinical studies are promising, an official upper limit for coenzyme Q10 has yet to be determined. Therefore, it is important that you follow the directions on the product label and take coenzyme Q10 as recommended. Of course, if you are taking prescription drugs or have or suspect a medical condition, consult with your physician before taking any dietary supplement.

If you’re interested in adding coenzyme Q10 to your supplement program, the Natrol® brand offers a wide selection, including Natrol® CoQ10 200 mg Softgels.

References

  1. Kendler BS. Supplemental conditionally essential nutrients in cardiovascular disease therapy. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2006;21:9-16. PMID: 16407731
  2. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications. Biofactors. 2003;18:101-111. PMID: 14695925
  3. Mabuchi H, Higashikata T, Kawashiri M, et al. Reduction of serum ubiquinol-10 and ubiquinone-10 levels by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemic patients. J Atheroscler Throm. 2005;12:111-1119. PMID: 5942122
  4. Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, et al. Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med. 1994;15:S187-S193. PMID: 7752830
  5. Koumis T, Nathan J, Rosenberg J, Cicero L. Strategies for the prevention and treatment of statin-induced myopathy: Is there a role for ubiquinone supplementation? Am J Health Sys Pharm. 2004;61:515-519. PMID: 15018231
  6. Chapidze G, Kapanadze S, Dolidze N, et al. Prevention of coronary atherosclerosis by the use of combination therapy with antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and statins. Georgian Med News. 2005;118:20-25. PMID: 15821319
  7. Zita C, Overvad K, Mortensen SA, et al. Serum coenzyme Q10 concentrations in healthy men supplemented with 30 mg or 100 mg coenzyme Q10 for two months in a randomised controlled study. Biofactors. 2003;18:185-193. PMID: 14695934
  8. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. Overview of the use of CoQ10 in cardiovascular disease. Biofactors. 1999;9:273-284. PMID: 10416041
  9. Bonakdar RA, Guarneri E. Coenzyme Q10. Am Fam Physician. 2005;72:1065-1070. PMID: 16190504
  10. Overvad K, Diamant B, Holm L, et al. Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999;53:764-770. PMID: 10556981
  11. Ikematsu H, Nakamura K, Harashima S, et al. Safety assessment of coenzyme Q10 (Kaneka Q10) in healthy subjects: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2006;44:212-218. PMID: 16431002