Coenzyme Q10 – or CoQ10 – is an endogenous fat-soluble and vitamin-like compound found naturally in every cellular membrane of the body, particularly the mitochondrial membranes. Because CoQ10 is primarily involved in cellular energy production, its level is highest in organs with high metabolism rates, such as the heart, kidney, and liver. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 protects cellular components from the adverse effects of oxidative stress.*
CoQ10’s therapeutic effects in addressing oxidative stress are well-known, and this nutrient has been extensively studied for its role in promoting women’s health.* Get all the answers below regarding CoQ10 benefits for women, how it supports various health functions, and why you should include a CoQ10 supplement in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
CoQ10 Benefits for Women: An Overview
Research studies1 show that women generally experience lower levels of oxidative stress and subsequent production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) than men. However, oxidative stress in women typically increases with age. It is assumed to be due to lower levels of estrogen—a hormone responsible for the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body. CoQ10’s antioxidant effects help mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in female bodies.*
The following table summarizes how CoQ10 supports various health functions in women.
| Health Function | CoQ10 Benefits |
| Reproductive Health | Oxidative stress influences2 the entire reproductive lifespan of a woman and is associated with modulating the age-related decline in fertility. ROS plays a role in pathological processes involving the female reproductive tract. CoQ10 supplementation can limit oxidative stress to promote reproductive health.*Learn more about CoQ10’s menstrual cycle effects. |
| Bone | Estrogen helps build and maintain bone mineral density. A gradual decline of estrogen with age significantly impacts bone quality and increases the risk of fracture. CoQ10 supplementation inhibits oxidative stress and cell senescence (cell aging) and promotes bone formation.* |
| Heart | Reports3 suggest that although women develop heart disease about 10 years later than men, they are likely to experience worse outcomes after a heart attack. CoQ10’s potential cardiovascular health benefits include protecting cardiac muscle tissues from oxidative stress, enhancing lipid profiles, and helping to maintain optimal blood pressure.* Learn more about CoQ10 vs. fish oil to support your heart health. |
| Skin | Aging and fluctuating hormonal levels impact skin health, resulting in loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, skin pigmentation, etc. CoQ10 promotes healthy skin by limiting oxidative stress in skin cells, particularly the dermis layer.* Learn more about coenzyme Q10’s skin benefits. |
| Gastrointestinal Health | Women, particularly postmenopausal women, are more likely4 to experience gastrointestinal disorders than men. CoQ10 exerts gastroprotective effects to promote gut health.* |
CoQ10 for Female Reproductive Health
The role of excessive ROS resulting in oxidative stress and its impact on female reproductive health are well-documented. Oxidative stress affects the reproductive years, resulting in a gradual age-induced decline in fertility, and menopausal years too. Reactive Oxygen Species play a potential role in various pathological processes involving the female reproductive tract.
In randomized controlled trials, the role of CoQ10 supplementation has been explored to understand how it limits oxidative stress.* The following table summarizes the potential role of CoQ10 in supporting female reproductive health.*
| CoQ10 and Reproductive Health | |
| Enhancing oocyte quality: The quality of the human oocyte—the immature egg cell, depends on optimal mitochondrial function and adequate cellular energy levels. CoQ10 has been found5 to exert beneficial effects in enhancing oocyte quality and subsequent reproductive performance.* | |
| Supporting the development of competent follicles: CoQ10 supplementation is believed to exert positive effects, particularly at the follicular level, by supporting a more favorable environment for competent ovarian follicle development.* |
CoQ10 for Bone Health in Women
Aging is characterized by a marked reduction in bone volume, microstructural destruction of bone tissue, and increased fragility of bone tissue.
Although women gradually lose bone from ~35 years onward, the rate of bone loss peaks around menopause due to increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone formation levels.
Our bones are composed of different types of cells, and aging impacts the normal functioning of these cells. The increased number of osteoclasts (the cells that dissolve and break down old or damaged bone cells) and the decrease in the number of osteoblasts (the cells involved in bone synthesis and mineralization) result in loss of bone mass and strength.
In women, increased osteoclast activity is linked to low estrogen levels and other hormonal changes in the body. Several studies highlight the role of CoQ10 and its beneficial effects on supporting bone health.* However, the exact mechanism underlying CoQ10-mediated protection of bones is still unclear.
The following table highlights some of the potential beneficial effects of CoQ10 on bone cells.*
| CoQ10 and Bone Health | |
| Promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation: Studies6 in rats have established the beneficial effects of CoQ10 on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells.* | |
| Inhibiting oxidative stress and cell senescence: CoQ10 protects7 mitochondria from oxidative damage, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress to bone cells and their subsequent aging.* CoQ10 also helps in promoting osteoblastic bone formation and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.* |
CoQ10 for Heart Health in Women
One of every three female deaths in the United States is caused due to poor heart health.
Women often experience poorer outcomes after a heart attack, partly due to failure to identify and address cardiovascular disorders. The oxidative stress in heart muscles impacts the normal functioning of the heart, resulting in a wide range of pathological conditions. Due to its antioxidant properties and role in enhancing oxygen utilization on the cellular level, CoQ10 supplementation shows the potential to support a healthy heart.*
The following table highlights some of the key benefits of CoQ10 for heart health.*
| CoQ10 and Heart Health | |
| Maintaining normal blood pressure: Blood pressure is usually higher in men than in women at similar ages. However, after menopause, women experience elevated blood pressure levels even higher than that of men. CoQ10 helps maintain a normal systolic blood pressure in the body.* | |
| Enhancing lipid profiles: CoQ10 supplementation has been found to help maintain normal total cholesterol levels, as well as high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels.* | |
| Addressing side effects of statin medications: Statin medications lower cholesterol levels. Although women are less frequently prescribed statins and receive relatively lower doses, CoQ10 supplementation can address the side effects of statins, such as muscle aches and weakness.* |
CoQ10 for Women’s Skin
Technically, a woman’s skin begins aging after the age of 20 as the dermis layer of the skin produces one percent less collagen each year. As a woman ages, her skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more fragile. Skin cells are more prone to be damaged by free radicals and require a high amount of cellular energy for regeneration and repair. CoQ10 supports healthy skin through the following mechanisms.*
| CoQ10 and Skin Health | |
| Stimulating collagen production: CoQ10 helps stimulate8 collagen synthesis by enhancing gene expression of type I, IV, and VII collagen.* | |
| Maintaining cellular metabolism: CoQ10 helps maintain the regular metabolism of aging skin cells, particularly keratinocytes, by enhancing their mitochondrial functioning.* | |
| Maintaining flexibility and stability of skin: CoQ10 limits the seasonal deterioration of viscoelasticity of the skin, the property that makes the skin flexible and stable.* |
CoQ10 for Gastrointestinal Health in Women
During menopause, low levels of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, slow down the process of food passing through the intestine. The increased span of the digestive process results in more water reabsorption back into the bloodstream, leading to increased bloating, constipation, and other gastrointestinal discomfort.
The following table highlights how CoQ10 supports a healthy gastrointestinal environment.*
| CoQ10 and Gastrointestinal Health | ||
| Enhancing gut microbiota: CoQ10 helps9 support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, thereby enhancing the intestinal flora balance.* | ||
| Protecting gastric mucosa: Gastric mucosa, the mucous membrane found in the stomach, is prone to injury due to certain medications and pathological conditions. CoQ10 supplementation has been found10 to limit inflammation and subsequent injury to the gastric mucosa.* |
Including a CoQ10 Supplement In Your Diet
Eating a balanced diet containing meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, and nuts supports the endogenous production of CoQ10 in your body. However, there are reasons why you should include a CoQ10 supplement in your diet.
- Dietary sources might not be enough: The dietary sources might not be enough to address a CoQ10 deficiency and enhance the depleted CoQ10 levels in your body significantly.
- Poor bioavailability and absorption of unformulated CoQ10: When orally ingested, CoQ10 is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. CoQ10 supplement formulations, particularly those containing nanoparticle complexes, display relatively superior absorption and bioavailability than those containing uncomplexed CoQ10.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About CoQ10 Supplements
Is it safe to take a CoQ10 supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is limited data on the safety and efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then consult with your healthcare provider before including a CoQ10 supplement in your diet.
Can I take a CoQ10 supplement with prescription medicine?
CoQ10 supplements can interact with prescription medicines for blood thinning, glucose metabolism, and kidney and liver disorders. It is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before taking a CoQ10 supplement with any prescription medicine.
How to determine the efficacy of a CoQ10 supplement formulation?
A CoQ10 supplement will be effective only if it displays enhanced bioavailability and absorption of the active ingredient in the body.
Tesseract Medical Research has developed a unique and hypoallergenic CoQ10 supplement formulation for optimal absorption of the active ingredient, making CoQ10 a therapeutic reality.* CoQ10 Pro consists of the proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology that enables unprecedented absorption of billions of CoQ10 molecules in the intestinal tract. Each CoQ10 molecule gets encased in the CyLoc® matrix, while accompanying DexKey® reactors release these molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. Enhanced absorption of the active ingredient means ingesting a lesser amount of CoQ10 is needed for a powerful and rapid physiological response to support your cardiovascular health.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can help support your cardiovascular health.*
Citations:
1Kander MC, et al. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine vol. 21,5 (2017):1024-1032. doi:10.1111/jcmm.13038
2Agarwal A, et al. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology vol. 3;28. 14 Jul. 2005, doi:10.1186/1477-7827-3-28
3Giardina EG. vol. 45,6 (2000):350-357.
4Cain KC, et al. International Journal of Fertility and Women’s Medicine vol. 54,7 (2009):1542-9. doi:10.1007/s10620-008-0516-3
5Rodríguez-Varela C, Labarta E. International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol. 22,17 9541. 2 Sep. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22179541
6Zheng D, et al. Molecular Medicine Reports vol. 17,1 (2018):400-407. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.7907
7Wu X, et al. American Journal of Translational Research vol. 12,8 4314-4325. 15 Aug. 2020
8Mine Y, et al. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition vol. 71,1 (2022):29-33. doi:10.3164/jcbn.20-187
9Zhao X, et al. The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology: Official Journal of the Korean Physiological Society and the Korean Society of Pharmacology vol. 25,4 (2021):261-272. doi:10.4196/kjpp.2021.25.4.261
