Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or ubiquinone is found in the mitochondria and as a component of the electron transport chain plays an important role in aerobic respiration.

Evidence

A trial of 50 mg CoQ10 taken with 5mg NADH twice daily for eight weeks found improvements in exercise performance/less exercise intolerance and a less fatigue and improved cognitive function, but those in the placebo group had better sensory and affective pain scores.

Plasma CoQ10 was found to be significantly lower in ME/CFS patients than in normal controls and correlated with symptom severity. A literature review found that CoQ10 was marginally deficient in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ubiquinol-10 supplementation can improve autonomic nervous function and cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Notable studies

• 2000, Nutritional Strategies for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Full text)

• 2009, Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is related to fatigue, autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms and is another risk factor explaining the early mortality in ME/CFS due to cardiovascular disorder (Abstract)
• 2016, Ubiquinol-10 supplementation improves autonomic nervous function and cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome (Abstract)
• 2016,Effect of coenzyme Q10 plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation on maximum heart rate after exercise testing in chronic fatigue syndrome – A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial - (Full text)

Learn more

• 2016, CoQ10, B-Vitamins and CFS
• Coenzyme Q10 Uses, Side effects and Dosage - WebMD

See also

• Dr Lapp's supplement recommendations
• Supplements