CoQ10 and Fertility?
CoQ10 is a coenzyme that is a part of our cell’s energy creation, turning sugars and fatty acids to energy in a process known as Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP for short). In humans, this process cannot occur without CoQ10. While our bodies do make this needed CoQ10 naturally, there is less produced as our bodies’ age. Reportedly our natural CoQ10 production climaxes at the age of 21.

Over the past two or three decades there have been many studies conducted which suggest CoQ10 supplementation offers a vast number of health benefits, especially in middle-aged to senior adults, for a wide variety of conditions. Although fertility and CoQ10 hasn’t been studied as extensively as, say its benefits on the heart, there has been promising research which suggests it may offer fertility benefits, too.

Does CoQ10 have an effect on sperm count?
It is said that each male testicle produces 85 million sperm per day. Common sense tells us that a certain threshold of cellular energy must be properly utilized in order to produce such a vast quantity. Over the past decade or so there have been several studies which sought to measure whether or not CoQ10 supplementation had an effect on sperm production.

Shahid Beheshti University study
In the July 2009 issue of the Journal of Urology, the findings of a study conducted at Shahid Beheshti University (Iran) were published. In total, 212 men with infertility problems participated: one group was given 300 mg of CoQ10 daily and another group was given a placebo. For 26 weeks they were administered the CoQ10 dosage, and then monitored for 30 weeks after that without taking any supplementation. The results were “statistically significant improvement in certain semen parameters.” There was a significant improvement in both motality and sperm density.

University of Ancona study
A few years before this, there was a similar study conducted at the University of Ancona in Italy which also suggested CoQ10 had a positive effect. The study involved 22 men, aged 25 to 39 (average 31) that had fertility problems for at least three years. Testicular volume was also measured in order to select these men for the study. Here are some quotes by Dr. Balercia and colleagues:

“The data of the present study show a significant improvement of sperm cell kinetic features after 6 months of administration of CoQ10, on the basis of both manual and computer- assisted evaluation”

“Furthermore, our results are the first to demonstrate that exogenous administration of CoQ 10 leads to increased levels in seminal plasma and in sperm cells.”

Conclusion?
Although the above mentioned studies and other research suggest that CoQ10 supplements may have a positive effect on fertility, further studies are needed in order to conclude for sure. Also it’s important to note that in the United States, dietary supplements (such as CoQ10) cannot be used for the treatment, diagnosis, prevention, or cure of any disease (including infertility). Also, the FDA has not evaluated these claims. For these reasons, despite the above mentioned CoQ10 fertility research, CoQ10 supplements are not a treatment for infertility.

CoQ10 Dosage: What You Need To Know!
As a dietary supplement, if you take CoQ10 for general health, it’s important to understand a couple things. First of all, CoQ10 is a fat-soluble nutrient, meaning for best absorption it should be taken when eating foods that contain at least some fat (the healthy kinds, of course).

Secondly, in order to maintain more stable CoQ10 levels in the blood, many experts recommended taking smaller doses spread throughout the day, instead of one large dose. For example, if a person was taking 300 mg daily as a dietary supplement, instead they could take CoQ 100 mg, 3x daily. However before using any vitamin or dietary supplement, you need to consult a doctor.

How does the body absorb CoQ10?
The small intestine is responsible for the initial absorption of CoQ10. After that, it makes its way to the lymph system. Once there it will enter the blood stream.

How well is the absorption?
Just like many vitamins and nutrients, only a fraction is actually absorbed. With CoEnzyme Q10, it has been estimated that approximately 60% is excreted through feces. In addition, there are several factors which can further decrease the absorption rate.

What other factors affect CoQ10 absorption?
First and foremost, those with abnormal digestive systems may not be absorbing it as well as the average person. But whether yours is normal or not, reportedly there are other things you need to know – discuss these points with your doctor and seek their guidance before using CoQ10:

Don’t take on an empty stomach
Research has shown that CoQ10 absorption is lower on an empty stomach. Therefore, it’s best to take with meals/snacks.

Take with foods that contain fat
CoQ10 is a fat soluble nutrient; this means it in order to maximize absorption, you should consume it along with foods which contain healthy types of fats, such as olive oil. If consuming an entire meal is inconvenient at the time, taking it with a tablespoon or two of peanut butter should suffice.

Spread out your doses
As is the case with many vitamins, CoQ10 supplements only stay in your system for a matter of hours. This is why the whole “one-a-day” approach just doesn’t work. Rather, you should take smaller doses two to three times daily instead of just one large dose.

Take a highly absorbable CoQ10 supplement
There are different types of CoQ10. The regular type (ubiquinone) is the complete CoQ10 structure, which must first be reduced by your body before it is usable. Not too long ago Japanese scientists discovered how to harvest CoQ10 in the already reduced form (ubiquinol). Studies show that the absorption of CoQ10 with this type is reportedly up to 8x better. Although the Japanese own the production process of this enhanced formulation, they have licensed it to several U.S. manufacturers, such as Jarrow Coq10 and others.

Consider your age
As our bodies age, parts don’t work as well as when we were younger, including our digestive systems. So be sure your doctor takes this into account when recommending a dosage. But most importantly, you need to remember that your body’s natural CoQ10 production starts to decline after the age of 21. For example, by the time you hit 80, studies have shown that your heart will have approximately 60% less. So even if the absorption of CoQ10 by your body is great, you still need to take into account that less is being produced as you get older.

Under the guidance of your doctor, by following these simple tips and using a highly absorbable CoQ10 supplement, you can maximize the absorption and do a better job supporting your health.

A: Well, here’s the difference between ubiquinol and ubiquinone:

Ubiquinone CoQ10: This is what you would call the “regular” form. It is the most widely used type in supplements.

Ubiquinol CoQ10: This is a reduced form of CoQ10 (this reduced form is what your body converts the regular form to). Since it has already been converted, there is a wide array of research which suggests it offers better absorption. The method to create this reduced from was discovered by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Tatsumasa Mae. His company patented this discovery and only licenses ubiquinol production out to a handful of manufacturers.

How is ubiquionol CoQ10 absorbed differently?
According to the manufacturer and researchers, it reportedly offers increased absorption in two different ways.

Higher CoQ10 blood levels
150mb of ubiquinol raised blood levels to a degree that would take 1200mg of ubiquinone, according to a study published in journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. That equals out to be eight times more effective than the regular form in that study.

Stays in the blood longer
A study with rats found that regular ubiquinone CoQ10 peaks at a much lower lover and decreases dramatically over the following eight hours. When given a ubiquinol dosage, their levels peaked at an amount over 2.5x higher and after eight full hours, levels were still high; over 2x higher than ubiquinone’s peak level.

Therefore, not only is ubiquinol CoQ10 dosage reportedly better absorbed, but the research points to it lasting a lot longer in the body.

Is ubiquinol CoQ10 worth the extra cost?
Because regular CoQ10 doesn’t stay in the blood long, one of the drawbacks is that some people take it 3 or 4x per day to maintain consistent levels. With the ubiquinol CoQ10 form, it looks as if taking it less frequent may still result in sufficient levels. When you consider that fewer milligrams are reportedly needed, ironically it means that CoQ10 ubiquinol dosages are cheaper because they give you more bang for your buck. For example, instead of taking 100mg 3x daily, I now take 50mg of ubiquinol twice daily.

How to choose a ubiquinol CoQ10 supplement?
First of all, talk to your doctor before taking CoQ10 or any other dietary supplement. Get a dosage recommendation from them.

As mentioned, Kaneka CoQ10 (ubiquinol) is licensed to different manufacturers, so there are a number of brands which offer this high absorption CoQ10. A couple of the popular ones I know of are Jarrow CoQ10 and Best CoQ10. But whatever brand you choose, just remember that the research suggests that with ubiquinol, you can go with a lower dosage since it offers higher absorption. Of course, as an alternative you can always just go with the regular CoQ10 in a higher dosage and take it 3x daily.

Q:  What is the recommended CoQ10 dosage for dogs?

A: We’re just now realizing how important CoQ10 is in humans, but the truth is that this also holds true for dogs, cats, and other pets. You see, an estimated 95% of energy is reportedly made through a cellular process known as ATP. It is now known that CoEnzyme Q10 is reportedly a necessary nutrient for this process to occur. Humans and animals naturally produce it in our bodies, but as we age, less and less of it is made.

What happens when there is a CoQ10 deficiency?
Well without enough CoQ10, it is said that cells struggle to fulfill even the simplest of tasks. Being that CoQ10 is found in just about every cell in the body, as you can imagine there’s an endless list of things which might be affected by a deficiency.

When do CoQ10 deficiencies occur in dogs?
In humans, after we reach twenty-one years of age our body’s natural creation of CoQ10 begins trailing downward. So when you translate that same timeline to the lifespan of a dog, that means their production might peak when they’re just 3 years old.  This is why so many veterinarians recommend a CoQ10  dosage for dogs early on.

What is the proper CoQ10 dosage for dogs?
Well dogs come in a wide range of sizes… so there isn’t going to be any -one-size-fits-all when it comes to CoQ10 for dogs. But here are some tips you can discuss with your vet so they can determine the right dosage…

• In humans, 30 to 200 mgs daily is often recommended for healthy adults. However many doctors have been known to recommend higher dosages for unhealthy individuals with certain medical conditions. If you get out your calculator, you can figure out how the typical dosage for an average weight human would translate to your dog’s weight.

• Just like with humans, younger dogs will most likely need less CoQ10 than older dogs. To give you an idea, the heart uses the most energy and therefore the most CoQ10. In humans, CoQ10 in the heart is approximately 30% less at the age of forty, 50% less at the age of sixty, and 60% less at the age of eighty.

• One source I read recommended a CoQ10 dosage for dogs of 30mg 2x daily for every 20 pounds of weight, and they claimed that most should be getting between 100mg to 300mg daily. Well unless that dosage is for a very old St. Bernard, it sounds high to me considering the typical human dosage.

• Because CoQ10 is only in the body for a several hours, you can’t just give your dog a mega dose once per day… 2 or 3 times per day using a smaller amount is said to be better.

• CoQ10 is an enzyme that’s the same whether its found in humans, dogs, or any other animal. Therefore, it’s probably cheaper to buy regular human CoQ10 supplements rather than those marketed just for dogs (because CoQ10 for dogs will probably cost more). But since dogs need less, just make sure you buy low dosage supplements. You may even want to consider liquid CoQ10 so you can customize your dogs dosage exactly. I know a couple people who opt for liquid CoQ10 for that reason.

Q: Is there a CoQ10 dosage for migraines?

A: During the past decade there have been several exciting studies about CoEnzyme Q10 and its effect on migraines. To give you an idea of just how significant the results were, let’s take a look at one of these studies:

Efficacy of CoEnzyme Q10 in Migraine Prophylaxis
(presented at American Academy of Neurology 56th annual meeting)

What makes this study especially intriguing is that it was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Several leading doctors from the Headache and Pain Unit at University Hospital Zurich conducted this research in 2004.

• The study was 3 months long and involved 42 migraine sufferers

• During the first month all patients took the placebo 3x daily

• After that, some patients continued receiving the placebo while others were given a 100mg CoQ10 dosage for migraines 3x daily. None of them knew whether they were in the placebo group or the CoQ10 group.

• 48% of the CoQ10 group had half as many migraines during this period, compared to only 14% of the placebo group

• The patients given CoQ10 supplements experienced a reduction in the number of monthly migraines. Before treatment they had 4.4 migraines per month, and after treatment they had 3.2. Meanwhile the patients given placebo saw no improvement in the number of migraines per month.

These findings of using CoQ10 migraine dosage are extremely impressive, especially considering that the study was randomized and double-blind!

Should you use a CoQ10 dosage for migraines?
Legally, supplements cannot be used for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or cure of a disease according to the FDA, nor have they evaluated any of the above claims about CoQ10 migraine dosage. Therefore, you will have to discuss research about CoQ10 dosage for migraines with your doctor. Do not take CoQ10 supplements for any purpose without a doctor’s approval and advice.

Important tips when shopping for CoQ10 supplements
I never buy CoQ10 at vitamin stores or drugstore because the price markups are so astronomically high. As mentioned in the study above, patients were given their CoQ10 supplement 3x daily. This is reportedly because it doesn’t stay in your system long, so a smaller dosage multiple times per day is preferred.

A: Prescription statins may be helpful with cholesterol, but unfortunately they have also been linked to depletion of your body’s natural CoQ10. For this reason, many physicians now recommend taking a CoQ10 supplement in conjunction with statins. In order to determine the proper CoQ10 dosage with statins, this is something you will have to discuss with your doctor. But here is some important information you can ask them about.

Why is CoQ10 so important?
Simply put, 95% of your body’s energy is produced through a process known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). CoQ10 is reportedly a key nutrient in this process. Without it, cells cannot function properly. Being that CoQ10 is present in nearly every cell, virtually your entire body would then be affected by a deficiency.

How do statin drugs interfere?
Unfortunately, statin-lowering medications (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) can reportedly cause a CoQ10 deficiency. It’s said that there are 17 steps involved in the biosynthesis of CoQ10. These medications interfere with that process, resulting in lower levels of CoQ10 production.

Your body’s natural production of CoQ10 declines drastically with age (production peaks at around the age of twenty-one). So it just so happens that the typical user of these medications is already most at risk for deficiency. The greatest amounts of CoQ10 are found in the organs that use the most energy; the heart being at the top of that list. So ironically, these drugs designed to help the heart may actually be hurting it. This is why a supplemental CoQ10 dosage with statins is often recommended.

How are the drug companies getting away with this?
That’s a good question. Statins and CoQ10 deficiency are a well-known problem. In fact, over 20 years ago one of the biggest drug makers, Merck, made reference to this problem in two of their patents. Here’s an excerpt of one of their patents (no. 4,933,165) from 1990:

Furthermore, there has been a large outcry by both the public as well as medical professionals regarding this problem with CoQ10 and statins. Here is a quote by a blue ribbon cardiologist, Dr. Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FAAC:

Unfortunately, warnings like these have apparently fell on deaf ears over at the FDA. Some speculate that this may be due to limited CoQ10 production in the world. Reportedly, the entire CoQ10 supplement production in the world would only be enough to supply 1/6th of statin users.

What can you do about it?
In the United States, you can report a problem to the FDA: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm

Of course, you should also discuss with your doctor CoQ10 dosage and statins. Talk with your doctor to see if he recommends adding CoQ10 supplementation to your statin regimen. I know of a number of individuals that have been advised by their physician to supplement with CoQ10 100mg or CoQ10 200mg daily.

The most popular brands seem to be Now CoQ10, Vitaline CoQ10, Jarrow CoQ10, Kaneka coq10, and Swanson Vitamin CoQ10. However in addition to these, there are a number of other qualified manufacturers too. Most people buy CoQ10 online because it is so much cheaper than at the stores.

One Last Important Note
CoQ10 supplements should be consumed with foods that contain fat to bolster absorption. CoQ10 is said to not stay in your system more very long. Therefore, if possible you should break your dose up into two or three smaller doses spread out across the day. For example, taking CoQ100mg twice daily instead of CoQ10 200mg once daily.