CoQ10 and fertility: myths vs. facts

In recent years, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has become a popular nutrient for couples struggling with fertility. If you work with a fertility specialist, you may know about the potential fertility benefits of CoQ10.

Much of the research on CoQ10 and fertility is relatively new, and thus there are many myths about this powerful nutrient. In this article we would like to dispel many myths surrounding CoQ10 and fertility.

Myth 1: There is no connection between CoQ10 and fertility.

Fact: CoQ10 and fertility go hand in hand.

Ovulation is an energy-intensive process. A woman’s eggs (oocytes) are cells, and mitochondria are responsible for energy production within the cell. The human egg cell contains more mitochondria than any other cell.

CoQ10 plays a crucial role in energy production in mitochondria. As men and women age, the production of CoQ10 decreases. CoQ10 levels are highest in the first 20 years of life, after which they begin to decline.

For this reason, the eggs of older women become less efficient at producing energy as they age.

Studies show that CoQ10 can support fertility and a healthy pregnancy. CoQ10 promotes egg quality in older women.

Myth 2: CoQ10 only helps female fertility.

Fact: There is also a link between CoQ10 and male fertility.

Several factors contribute to male fertility. Perhaps one of the most damaging is the presence of free radicals.

It takes about three months for mature sperm to form. During this time, free radicals can damage the sperm by attacking and destroying the membrane surrounding the sperm. They can also severely damage DNA and cause errors in the genetic information of sperm.

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants like CoQ10 protect cells from harmful oxidative reactions caused by free radicals. Studies have shown that CoQ10 may support healthy sperm motility (the ability of sperm to swim), sperm density and sperm morphology.

Myth 3: CoQ10 is only good for heart health.

Fact: CoQ10 affects all the cells in your body.

The benefits of CoQ10 for supporting heart health are well documented. However, if you know how CoQ10 works in general, you can see that it can be beneficial to almost every cell in your body.

Cells are the building blocks of life, and CoQ10 plays an important role in cell function. When we eat food, these nutrients must be converted into a form of energy that the cells can use. This conversion process is called cellular respiration. Much of cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria, an organelle often referred to as the “powerhouse” of the cell.

Cellular respiration involves several different complex processes to obtain energy from nutrients. One of these processes is the electron transport chain (ETC). The ETC relies heavily on CoQ10 to transport electrons through its various stages. When CoQ10 levels are low, cells produce energy less efficiently.

CoQ10 not only helps in ETC, but is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from harmful reactions. Highly reactive molecules called free radicals can cause great damage to the cell.

As an antioxidant, CoQ10 can help neutralize free radicals and support the health of all cells in your body.

Myth 4: The best form of CoQ10 for fertility is ubiquinol.

Fact: It is not the form of CoQ10 that matters, but how it is prepared.

Since there is a lot of conflicting information, many people want to know which form of CoQ10 is preferable for fertility – ubiquinone or ubiquinol?

Ubiquinone is the oxidized form of coenzyme Q10, while ubiquinol is the reduced form. Both forms occur in our bodies, and we can switch between the two depending on our body’s needs.

CoQ10 supplements are available in many forms, including softgels, capsules, tablets and oral sprays. However, most CoQ10 supplements (standard ubiquinone or ubiquinol) are not very well absorbed by the body, even when taken with food.

Improved absorption technology

Fortunately, there are some CoQ10 supplements that use a system for enhanced absorption. This type of formulation improves the bioavailability of CoQ10 by up to 600%.

Ubiquinol Research

In a 2014 study, standard oil-based ubiquinol was compared with standard oil-based ubiqinone. Participants taking the standard ubiquinol had an average total CoQ10 blood level of 4.3 mcg/ml after four weeks of 200 mg per day, compared with 2.5 mcg/ml in the oil-based ubiquinone group.

Thus, the absorption and bioavailability of oil-based ubiquinol is higher than that of oil-based ubiquinone.

Proponents of ubiquinol often cite this 2002 study comparing standard ubiquinol softgels to other standard ubiquinone supplements. This study showed lower peak blood CoQ10 levels for both forms (1.8 mcg/ml for ubiquinol versus 1.5 mcg/ml for ubiquinone).

Most important finding

The controversy between the two forms exists because there are no “apples to apples” comparisons. There are no studies comparing ubiquinone with increased absorption to standard or increased absorption to ubiquinol.

The main finding is that the highest peak blood CoQ10 levels were observed in those taking ubiquinone with increased absorption (7.0 mcg/ml). Ubiquinone with VESIsorb has been shown to be more bioavailable than normal oil-based ubiquinol (4.3 mcg/ml) or ubiquinone (2.5 mcg/ml).

Myth 5: The dosage of CoQ10 for fertility is 600 mg for women.

Fact: Dosage depends on the type of CoQ10 you are taking and what you are taking it for.

There are few human studies looking at the effect of CoQ10 on oocyte quality. Therefore, the medical community has not yet reached consensus on the recommended dosage for women. However, one study used a dose of 600 mg taken once daily for two months. Therefore, most fertility specialists recommend this dose for their patients.

However, standard oil-based ubiquinone was used in this study. Remember that pesky problem of CoQ10 being hard to absorb? This plays a role in calculating the amount you should take to support healthy egg quality in women.

If you take a product with improved absorption technology, you can take a lower dose because the “absorbed dose” is 3-6 times higher.

Dr. Richard Sherbahn of the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago writes that the recommended dose of CoQ10 varies from 50 mg to 600 mg per day, divided into multiple doses. He goes on to explain that CoQ10 is most commonly recommended in doses of 100 to 300 mg per day, and that up to 1,200 mg per day is considered safe.

Myth 6: CoQ10 is a vitamin.

Fact: CoQ10 is “vitamin-like”.

CoQ10 belongs to the family of ubiquinone compounds. It is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound that is naturally produced by the human body.

It is called a “vitamin-like” compound because the body can make it itself. Vitamins, by definition, cannot be produced by the body. They must be supplied through food or dietary supplements.

The name ubiquinone refers to the fact that ubiquinones, including CoQ10, are “ubiquitous” in living organisms. In other words, virtually all cells in the human body contain CoQ10. Because it is so abundant in the body, CoQ10 is an essential compound for cellular function.

Concentrations of coenzyme Q10 are highest in organs with high metabolic rates, such as the heart, kidneys and liver.

Myth 7: You can meet all your CoQ10 needs through your diet.

Fact: You could, but you’d have to eat a lot of organ meats.

Although our bodies make CoQ10 naturally, you can also get it by eating certain foods. Dietary sources of coenzyme Q10 include fatty fish, organ meats such as liver, and whole grain products.

Since CoQ10 concentrations are highest in the heart, kidneys, and liver, the best dietary sources of CoQ10 are organ meats. Pork heart, for example, contains about 127 micrograms of CoQ10 per gram of meat. In second place is beef heart, which contains about 113 micrograms of CoQ10 per gram of meat.

Compared to other CoQ10 sources, canned tuna contains only 16 micrograms of CoQ10 per gram of tuna. Wheat germ contains only six micrograms of CoQ10 per gram of wheat germ. Note that cooking foods containing coenzyme Q10 reduces CoQ10 content by 14-32%.

Myth 8: I should continue to take CoQ10 during my pregnancy.

Fact: For most women, CoQ10 has no added benefit during pregnancy.

As explained earlier in this article, CoQ10 can support healthy egg quality and fertility. Although there is no reason to believe that CoQ10 is unsafe during pregnancy, most women do not need to continue taking CoQ10 after pregnancy.

While research is still in the early stages, the link between CoQ10 and fertility is becoming clearer. Please discuss CoQ10 and fertility with your doctor to find out if it could benefit you or your partner.