Ubiquinol is a reduced form of Coenzyme Q10 which is different to the oxidised form called ubiquinone - they are not the same thing!
Your body needs to convert ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) into ubiquinol (reduced form Coenzyme Q10) before the body can utilise and benefit from it.
Already in the active state your body needs
Current studies are revealing that ubiquinol has a greater impact than ubiquinone, primarily because it is more bioavailable which helps the body absorb more of it. The body doesn't need to synthesise the Coenzyme Q10 so there is less dependance on your body to do this - the body's ability to turn uniquinone into ubiquinol declines with age.
In healthy people it is thought that 90% of Coenzyme Q10 in the blood is in reduced form (ubiquinol).
Why might a supplement be beneficial?
There are various factors that affect the levels of ubiquinone/ubiquinol in the body, including:
- Certain medications
- Sun exposure
- Age (the bodies ability to synthesise uniquinone into ubiquinol decreases with age)
- Statins
- Some beta-blockers
- Some blood pressure medications
Ubiquinol and statins
Statins are prescribed to people to reduce the production of cholesterol, they do this by reducing a liver enzyme but a side effect of this is that it also reduces the body's production of Coenzyme Q10.
When this happens it is common for people to experience symptoms such as fatigue, muscle soreness and weakness - this is because CoQ10 is important for heart health and muscle function.
It is very common for doctors to recommend a Coenzyme Q10 supplement or Ubiquinol when prescribing standards - as a result it is the 5th most popular supplement in the USA and taken by more than half the population. This reflects in the fact that 25% of Americans over 45 currently take statins.
Related Supplements
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from £39.95
- High bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10
- Made using only Kaneka Ubiquinol™
- Popular with those over the age of 50
- Easy to swallow one a day capsule
A healthy balanced diet is the best way to consume all the nutrients we need. Sometimes however this isn't possible and then supplements can help. This article isn't intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before trying any supplements or herbal medicines.