When To Take CoQ10 Supplements

Jan 12, 23 ● 6 min

CoQ10 supplements provide many benefits, but should CoQ10 be taken morning or night? Read on to learn more.

By Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, fertility expert and OBGYN

If you have a lot of supplements in your vitamin routine, you may have a hard time figuring out when to take them all. So, does it matter what time of the day you take your CoQ10? Let’s talk about it.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring nutrient found in all of our cells. CoQ10 is extremely important for producing energy and fighting off free radicals, and is found in abundance in some parts of the body like the testes, eggs, and ovaries. This is because of CoQ10’s important role in mitochondria, everyone’s favorite call back from Biology 101. Without an adequate amount of CoQ10 in the body, we would likely experience a decrease in muscle strength, brain function, increased oxidative stress, and failure of many organ systems.

What are the benefits of CoQ10?

There have been many observed benefits of CoQ10 supplementation, including:

Egg and embryo health

Many of us are aware that female fertility seems to decline after a certain age. After 35, there is a noticeable decrease in egg quality and a continuous decrease in ovarian reserve. While not much can be done about AMH levels, there is some evidence that supplementing with CoQ10 can alleviate the natural decline that comes with aging. Improved egg quality, pregnancy outcomes, and improved embryo quality are just a few of the observed benefits. Another study concluded that a high presence of CoQ10 in ovarian fluid is correlated with high pregnancy rates. So if you’re TTC, CoQ10 may be a great addition to your prenatal vitamin.

Sperm health

CoQ10’s benefits on fertility are also seen in sperm health. A meta-analysis concluded that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 showed an increase in sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility. In other words, CoQ10 helps sperm move more efficiently, and increases the number of sperm found in semen samples, increasing the chances of conception. Did you know that Natalist also has a male prenatal vitamin? Check out male fertility products here.

Heart health

That’s right, your heart can also benefit from CoQ10! Evidence shows that increasing supplementation of CoQ10 is correlated with improved blood pressure, lower amounts of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), AKA “bad” cholesterol, and increased amounts of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), AKA “good cholesterol”. CoQ10 was even helpful for surgical patients by strengthening the heart and protecting against post-surgery complications.

Aging

The jury is still out on whether or not we can recommend CoQ10 for blanket anti-aging properties, but we do know that CoQ10 naturally decreases with age, and supplementation can help remedy damaged skin and immune function. Data also shows that CoQ10 serum levels may help to predict age-related problems like early detection of dementia.

What time of day should I take CoQ10?

So when is the best time to take CoQ10, morning or night? It’s important to know how the body utilizes it. CoQ10 in the form of ubiquinone is fat-soluble, meaning it’s best absorbed when it can bind and dissolve in fats or oils. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D, are stored in the body for later use as needed. That being said, it doesn’t make much of a difference whether you take your CoQ10 at night or in the morning, but it is recommended you take it with a meal. If you tend to skip breakfast, taking CoQ10 with dinner would be the better option for you. Your body may still be able to break it down as needed, but it will have a much easier time doing so with the help of fats or oils in your food. Taking CoQ10 or any fat-soluble vitamin on an empty stomach may lead to side effects such as a stomach ache.

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What happens if I take CoQ10 every day?

Is it safe to take CoQ10 every day? The short answer is yes, there is a very low chance of any toxic effects from taking CoQ10. Your body naturally converts CoQ10 between two different forms, a water soluble form and fat soluble form. If you were to take too much, the body could easily shed excess amounts of CoQ10 through the urine. If you are taking CoQ10 vitamins every day, research shows that the body will show the effects as early as two weeks into daily supplementation. Some benefits may take longer than others, but plasma levels show an increase in CoQ10 levels early on, meaning CoQ10 is benefiting the body at a cellular level very quickly.

What age should I start taking CoQ10?

If you have ovaries, chances are your egg quality will begin to decrease after 35. It’s also true that CoQ10 levels decrease in general as we age. CoQ10 has been deemed safe for most people after the age of 18 and is even encouraged for some that may be prone to CoQ10 deficiency. Truthfully, there are no established guidelines on ages or dosages for CoQ10, so we recommend talking to your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements to your routine. There are some potential drug interactions with CoQ10, so be sure to keep that in mind and give your provider an updated list of any medications you are taking.

Key Takeaways

CoQ10 is an antioxidant found in every cell in the body, and it’s vital for energy production and overall cellular function.
CoQ10 is found in especially high concentrations in the testes, ovaries, and eggs.
There are many potential benefits to CoQ10 supplementation, including male fertility, female fertility, cardiovascular health, and some anti-aging benefits.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble and should be taken with a meal. This can be taken in the morning or at night, as long as it’s accompanied by fats or oils.
CoQ10 can be taken by most people anytime after the age of 18, or sooner with a healthcare provider’s approval. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before adding any supplements into your routine.