Research has suggested that CoQ10 supplements may have benefits. “It’s a legitimate supplement with specific medical applications, but it’s not a miracle cure or necessary for everyone,” Dr. Rizik says. It should be used thoughtfully and under medical supervision, particularly for those with existing health conditions or on other medications.”
While the research in CoQ10 is strong in some areas, other potential benefits have only been explored in animal or test-tube studies. Overall, more research in humans can help clarify whether CoQ10 lives up to the hype. Here are the top areas of ongoing research into the potential benefits of CoQ10:
May Help Support Heart FunctionCoQ10 may improve heart failure outcomes when a person takes it alongside conventional treatment. The authors of a review published in 2023 concluded that CoQ10 is a beneficial supplement for supporting heart function in patients with heart failure.
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CoQ10 may work by reducing oxidative stress, an imbalance between unstable molecules known as free radicals and the antioxidants that combat them, a well-known indicator of increased mortality in heart failure patients.
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It also supports production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that provides energy to facilitate the heart’s muscle contractions.
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But Rizik cautions, “The supplement should never be used as a replacement for prescribed heart medications.” Always be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have heart-health concerns.
May Reduce Statin Side EffectsCoQ10 can help lower some side effects of statins, a drug taken by some people with heart failure.
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“A side effect of statins is that they deplete the body’s natural CoQ10 levels, which can cause muscle pain, known as myopathy,” says Rizik. “This isn’t just correlation — we understand the biological pathway.” In other words, research shows, and doctors agree, that by supplementing with CoQ10, some populations may be able to prevent muscle pain associated with statins.May Help Prevent MigraineAccording to the American Headache Society, CoQ10 is one of the most commonly used supplements to prevent migraine.
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In a systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomized clinical trials with 221 participants total, the authors found that CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks, from nearly three migraine attacks to roughly one per month.
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A recent randomized clinical trial involving 72 children ages 5 to 15 years old with a diagnosis of migraine reveals that CoQ10 supplementation was as effective as amitriptyline (a prophylactic drug used to prevent migraine) but had fewer side effects. The researchers concluded that CoQ10 may be a good option for the preventive treatment of migraine headaches, especially in the long term.
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But researchers say that more studies of larger groups are necessary to determine if and how CoQ10 might benefit people with migraines.
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May Help Lower Blood PressureCoQ10 may help lower blood pressure. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 randomized controlled trials found that CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats) in people with various health conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure (hypertension).
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Researchers found that doses lower than 200 milligrams (mg) per day for more than eight weeks had the greatest effects on systolic blood pressure. However, found no differences in diastolic blood pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes) or heart rate.
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The authors noted CoQ10 may be a promising adjunct for managing hypertension, especially for patients with mild elevations in systolic blood pressure.
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However, more research is necessary.May Help Treat and Prevent CancerStudies show that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of cancer.
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As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is being studied for its potential role in treating and preventing cancer.Animal studies find that CoQ10 enhances the immune system, making it a potentially beneficial adjuvant therapy that, when combined with standard cancer treatment, may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Meanwhile, laboratory and animal research suggests that synthetic or modified versions of CoQ10 may directly prevent cancer cell growth.
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However, no clinical trials have been done in large groups of people. More research is needed to understand whether or not CoQ10 can help treat or prevent cancer in humans.
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May Improve Fertility
Research suggests that antioxidants like CoQ10 may boost fertility in men and women by decreasing oxidative stress.
For example, in a systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials involving nearly 500 women, researchers found that CoQ10 supplementation increased the number of pregnancies by nearly 29 percent in women undergoing fertility treatments. Meanwhile, women who received a placebo saw a 14 percent increase in the number of pregnancies.
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In another systematic review, researchers reveal that CoQ10 may increase sperm concentration and motility (the ability of the sperm to travel toward the egg). However, none of the 24 studies included in the review showed increased pregnancy rates or live births.
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More research is needed to measure CoQ10’s impact on fertility in men and women.