CoQ10 (Q10): What Is It and What Should You Know?
Written by Martin Rhodes· Last reviewed August 2026
What is CoQ10?
CoQ10, short for coenzyme Q10, is a naturally occurring compound found throughout the body.
It is found within cells and is involved in processes that help cells produce energy. The body can make CoQ10 itself, and smaller amounts are also found in some foods.
You may also see CoQ10 referred to simply as Q10.
CoQ10 is sometimes described as a vitamin-like substance, but it isn't a vitamin. Unlike vitamins, the body can produce it itself.
What does CoQ10 do?
CoQ10 has an important role in the way cells produce energy.
It is involved in energy production within mitochondria, the parts of cells responsible for generating much of the energy cells need to function.
CoQ10 is also involved in processes related to oxidation within cells.
It's important to distinguish between the role CoQ10 has naturally in the body and what taking a CoQ10 supplement may do.
The fact that the body uses a substance doesn't automatically mean that taking more of it as a supplement will produce a particular health benefit.
Can you get CoQ10 from food?
Yes.
Small amounts of CoQ10 are naturally present in foods including meat, fish and nuts.
The body can also make its own CoQ10.
A varied diet provides a wide range of nutrients and other beneficial compounds, so food should remain the starting point for a healthy diet.
A CoQ10 supplement is therefore not something everyone automatically needs.
CoQ10, ubiquinone and ubiquinol — what's the difference?
This is one of the more confusing parts of choosing a CoQ10 supplement.
Ubiquinone and ubiquinol are two forms of CoQ10.
You'll see both terms used on supplement labels, which can make it difficult to know what you're actually buying.
Ubiquinone is the oxidised form of CoQ10, while ubiquinol is the reduced form.
The body naturally converts between these forms as part of normal biological processes.
You'll sometimes see claims that ubiquinol is automatically a better or more effective form of CoQ10.
The reality is more complicated.
So which should you choose?
There isn't a simple rule that one form is automatically the better choice for everyone.
When comparing products, look at the complete formulation rather than choosing based solely on whether the label says ubiquinone or ubiquinol.
Consider:
Which form is being used?
How much CoQ10 is provided per serving?
What other ingredients are included?
Are the directions clear?
Is the product manufactured to an appropriate standard?
The most expensive form isn't automatically the best choice.
Do you need a CoQ10 supplement?
For most people, there isn't a simple answer of “yes”.
Your body naturally produces CoQ10 and you can obtain smaller amounts from food.
CoQ10 supplements are widely available because researchers have investigated whether additional CoQ10 may be useful in a range of circumstances.
However, evidence varies considerably depending on what CoQ10 is being studied for.
The British Heart Foundation notes that evidence isn't strong enough to recommend CoQ10 supplements for several commonly promoted heart-related purposes.
That's why we're more interested in what the evidence actually tells us than simply repeating the claims often made about CoQ10 supplements.
What should I look for in a CoQ10 supplement?
If you're considering a CoQ10 supplement, don't judge it simply by the number on the front of the packet.
Look at:
The form
Is it ubiquinone or ubiquinol?
The amount
How much CoQ10 does the recommended daily serving actually provide?
The ingredients
What else has been added?
The directions
Is it clear how and when the product should be taken?
The formulation
Does the manufacturer explain what is actually in the product?
And remember:
A higher amount doesn't automatically mean a better supplement.
There isn't a single universally agreed effective dose for CoQ10, and formulations can differ.
CoQ10 and statins
If you've searched for CoQ10, there's a good chance you've also come across CoQ10 and statins.
Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
One reason CoQ10 has been studied alongside statins is that the same biochemical pathway involved in cholesterol production is also involved in CoQ10 production.
This has led to a theory that lower CoQ10 levels might contribute to muscle symptoms experienced by some people taking statins.
However, the evidence does not establish that CoQ10 supplements reliably reduce statin-related muscle pain or cramps.
The British Heart Foundation describes the evidence as mixed and inconclusive, and current evidence does not support using CoQ10 for this purpose.
If you're taking a statin and experiencing muscle pain or other symptoms, don't stop taking your medicine or replace it with a supplement.
Speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
CoQ10 and other medicines
CoQ10 is generally well tolerated, but supplements can still interact with medicines.
There is particular concern around warfarin, an anticoagulant medicine, because CoQ10 may affect how it works.
CoQ10 may also interact with some other medicines.
If you take prescription medicines regularly, it's sensible to speak to your pharmacist or doctor before starting a CoQ10 supplement.
This is particularly important if you take medicines for heart conditions, blood clotting, diabetes or other long-term conditions.
Are there side effects?
CoQ10 is generally considered to have a good safety record, but that doesn't mean it is completely free from side effects.
Reported effects can include digestive upset and, in some people, sleep disturbance.
If you experience an unexpected or persistent reaction after starting a supplement, stop and seek appropriate advice.
As with any supplement, the fact that something is available without a prescription doesn't mean it is automatically suitable for everyone.
What does the evidence actually say?
CoQ10 has been investigated in a wide range of areas, but the evidence varies considerably depending on what is being studied.
Some areas have attracted considerable scientific interest, while others remain uncertain or inconclusive.
The British Heart Foundation notes that current evidence does not support using CoQ10 to prevent or treat heart disease, and evidence around statin-related muscle symptoms remains inconclusive.
That's why we think it's important to distinguish between:
“CoQ10 has been studied for this”
and
“CoQ10 has been shown to work for this.”
They aren't the same thing.
So, is CoQ10 worth considering?
That depends on what you're looking for.
CoQ10 is a naturally occurring compound that plays an important role in cellular energy production, and it can be obtained both from the body's own production and from food.
CoQ10 supplements are widely available, but the evidence for supplementation varies depending on the reason someone is considering taking it.
If you're thinking about taking CoQ10, look beyond the marketing on the front of the packet.
Understand which form you're getting, how much you're taking, what else is in the product and whether it is appropriate alongside any medicines you use.
What are we looking at for This One Is CoQ10?
We're currently researching whether CoQ10 is a product we'd be happy to put our name to.
We're looking at the formulation, including the different forms of CoQ10 available and how the amount provided per serving affects the practicality of the finished product.
We haven't made a final decision yet.
As with our other products, we want to understand the ingredient properly before deciding whether it belongs in the This One Is range.
If we do launch a CoQ10 product, we want it to be something that's clear about what it contains, straightforward to understand and made to a standard we'd be happy with.
What is CoQ10?What are we looking at for This One Is CoQ10?
We're currently researching whether CoQ10 is a product we'd be happy to put our name to.
We're looking at the formulation, including the different forms of CoQ10 available and how the amount provided per serving affects the practicality of the finished product.
We haven't made a final decision yet.
As with our other products, we want to understand the ingredient properly before deciding whether it belongs in the This One Is range.
If we do launch a CoQ10 product, we want it to be something that's clear about what it contains, straightforward to understand and made to a standard we'd be happy with.