CoQ10: Why is it one of the best supplements for heart health? - NL-096
Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and healthy diet, are considered as one of the most effective strategies to maintain your heart health and even reverse some of the risk factors that may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. These adjustments also include quitting smoking, managing stress levels, sleeping well and managing weight. Certain supplements can also help in maintaining your heart health. Research suggests that CoQ10 is possibly one of the best supplements you can take for your heart health. [1]
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance produced naturally in the body. It is also found in organ meats and fatty fish (which are some of the richest sources of CoQ10) along with green vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Let’s explore why CoQ10 is believed to be so good for your heart.
CoQ10 for heart health
CoQ10 plays an indispensable role in the energy production process that takes place in the mitochondria (power house of the cells). While our body relies on a wide range of vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin B family, vitamin K, magnesium, lipoic acid, and acetyl-l-carnitine) that work cohesively to produce energy in the cells, CoQ10 has some very unique properties that make it an irreplaceable component in the process of energy production. If you think of a cell as an engine that needs to burn fuel to run the car, CoQ10 can easily be called the spark plug of life.
The heart has extensive energy requirements. As one of the hardest working organs beating non-stop to pump oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, your heart requires high energy funding to do its job. It is, therefore, no surprise that CoQ10 exists in highest concentrations in the heart, skeletal muscles, liver and kidneys as these organs have much higher energy requirements than the rest of the organs. Even a small dip in CoQ10 levels can affect the health of your heart and muscles.
CoQ10 also works as a powerful antioxidant body that protects cells and sensitive cellular structures from the oxidative damage inflicted by free radicals. The accumulation of oxidative damage in the arteries is known to trigger the development of atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for heart disease. Furthermore, CoQ10 helps recycle other very powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
Due to these properties, CoQ10 is touted as an extremely beneficial nutrient for your heart health. With poor CoQ10 levels, the heart muscle struggles with healthy energy production and management, affecting the pumping ability of the heart.
Various mechanisms through which CoQ10 protects cardiovascular health
- Reduce symptoms of heart failure [2]
- Supports the bioenergetics involved in the heart muscle, strengthens and energizes the heart muscle.
- Improves endothelial function and vascular health
- Reduces arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
- Reduces the frequency of angina episodes (a squeezing chest pain or tight pressure across the chest)
- Reduces the damage caused by heart attack
- Improves metabolic health and reduces risk of diabetes, a well-known risk factor for heart disease. [3-4]
CoQ10 Deficiency and your health
CoQ10 levels decline with age. In addition, people with a deficiency in B-vitamins and trace minerals have depleted CoQ10 levels as these micronutrients are required for CoQ10 synthesis. People with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, depression, gum disease, diabetes etc. also have low levels of CoQ10.
Did you know statin drugs stop the natural production of CoQ10 in the body? Statin drugs work by blocking the production of an enzyme that is involved in the cholesterol synthesis. Now this particular enzyme is also involved in the production of many other important molecules such as vitamin D, vitamin K2, and CoQ10. So, statins not only stop the production of cholesterol, these cholesterol lowering drugs also interfere with the production of these substances that are important for your heart health. In fact, long-term use of statins is associated with side effects such as muscle weakness, muscle pain, memory loss, foggy brain, increased blood sugar, headache and general fatigue. Taking CoQ10 supplements can help reduce statins-associated musculoskeletal symptoms. [5]
Other health benefits of CoQ10
- Boosts energy levels
- Improves exercise performance
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces side effects of statins
- Improves muscle health
- Reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia
- Treats periodontal (gum) disease
- Boosts fertility in men and women
- Helpful in migraines
- Boosts immunity
References:
- Julian Yin Vieira Borges. The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular Disease Treatment: An Updated 2024 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies (1990-2024). medRxiv. 2024
- Xu et al. Efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10 in heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. 2024
- Samimi et al. Coenzyme Q10: A Key Antioxidant in the Management of Diabetes-Induced Cardiovascular Complications—An Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2024.
- Li et al. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Indicators in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clinical Therapeutics. 2025
- Ahmad et al. Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Statin-Induced Myopathy: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2024