Coenzyme Q10\u2014often called CoQ10\u2014is a vitamin-like antioxidant the body makes naturally, but it\u2019s also found in certain foods and widely available as a supplement marketed mainly for heart health and energy support. It\u2019s also been promoted online for blood sugar control, but experts said there isn’t enough evidence showing that taking CoQ10 reliably improves glucose levels.\n<\/p>\n
Overall, CoQ10 isn\u2019t something clinicians routinely suggest for blood sugar management, according to Cecilia Low Wang, MD<\/a>, an endocrinologist at UCHealth in Aurora, Colorado. It\u2019s \u201cnot something that we hang our hat on in terms of being confident enough to recommend to our patients,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n Some studies suggest CoQ10 supplementation may modestly reduce fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and A1C\u2014a measure of average blood sugar levels\u2014after eight to 10 weeks of daily use, particularly among those with prediabetes and diabetes<\/a>, said Megan Wroe, MS, RD, CNE, CLEC<\/a>, a wellness manager and registered dietitian at Providence St. Jude Medical Center.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n But those findings come with important caveats. Many studies are short, meaning \u201clonger-term data isn\u2019t really there,\u201d Wroe said. And because trials often don\u2019t control for factors like diet, physical activity, or the presence of multiple chronic conditions, it\u2019s difficult to determine whether CoQ10 is truly responsible for any of the positive results.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The body of evidence is also limited by small study sizes, Low Wang noted. In addition, some papers have been retracted or have received an \u201cexpression of concern\u201d regarding the integrity of the research, she said.\n<\/p>\n Again, there\u2019s no solid evidence linking CoQ10 to meaningful blood sugar support. But if it does have an effect, what might explain it?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n