Best Time to Take CoQ10 Supplements

If you keep up with heart health supplementation news, you might know the new kid on the block: Coenzyme Q-10, also known by its punchier nickname, CoQ10. Here at Team Nature Made, we're excited to give you the low-down on this exciting supplement, what it is, what it does for your heart, and (the reason you probably clicked this article) the best time to take CoQ10 supplements!

The Importance of CoQ10 Supplementation

What is CoQ10? A quick definition: CoQ10 is an organic compound most highly concentrated in organs that require high metabolic activity, such as the kidney, liver, and heart. What are some "CoQ10 Benefits for Heart Health Support"? It plays an essential role in every body cell by supporting the biochemical reactions that create Adenoside Tri-Phosphate (or ATP), which the body uses to store and access cellular energy for every metabolic function.[1,2]

CoQ10 levels are higher in organs like the heart because they require so much energy! However, CoQ10 doesn't just support heart health through supporting energy metabolism; it also provides antioxidant protection by protecting the mitochondrial membrane from oxidative damage.[3]

Who might be interested in CoQ10 supplementation? One interesting fact is that CoQ10 is produced within our bodies, but the rate at which it's produced changes with age. Our highest levels of CoQ10 production occur around age 25, but by age 65, the production of CoQ10 in the heart is halved.[4] Additionally, some cholesterol-lowering statin drugs can inhibit CoQ10 production in the body. Nature Made® CoQ10 can help replenish this important nutrient. However, it's important to note that CoQ10 is not intended to serve as a replacement for statin drug therapy.†

Optimal Timing for CoQ10 Supplementation

With Food or On an Empty Stomach?

When you’re trying to find the best time of day to take CoQ10, one question you might ask is whether or not to take it with a meal. Coenzyme Q-10 is a fat-soluble compound, which means it can dissolve in fats and oils. For that reason, it's best practice to take your CoQ10 supplement with a meal containing some fat or oil to aid in its absorption into the body. Timing your CoQ10 supplementation alongside a regular meal can help you remember to supplement consistently. Nature Made® also offers CoQ10 With Black Pepper Extract for Better Absorption▲ to help support cellular energy production and a healthy heart.†

Morning vs. Evening

Should you take your CoQ10 early in the morning or later at night? You can take CoQ10 at either time! Team Nature Made® recommends taking your CoQ10 supplements with a regular meal; so if you aren't a big breakfast person, take your supplements with lunch or dinner. This way, you help establish a routine for regular supplementation and ensure you take your CoQ10 supplements with water and a meal containing fat or oil.

Recommended Dosages of CoQ10

General Dosage Guidelines

Dosages of CoQ10 up to 1200 mg a day have been studied to be safe; Nature Made's CoQ10 Collection offers 100 mg, 200 mg, and extra-strength 400 mg supplements. Recommended dosages of CoQ10 will vary based on individual health goals; always consult your primary care provider or another healthcare professional before starting or changing your supplement routine.†

Adjusting Dosage Based on Individual Factors

Your recommended dosage may depend on individual factors and health goals. For example, if you exercise consistently, your cellular energy needs may be higher, which can benefit from Coenzyme Q10 supplementation. Another factor may be statin medication, which inhibits CoQ10 production in the body. If you are using statin medication and feel muscle aches and soreness, Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help to support your low or depleted levels. It is important to note that CoQ10 is not intended to serve as a replacement for statin drug therapy, and always consult a healthcare professional to get personalized advice and care.†

Incorporating CoQ10 into Your Daily Routine

Establishing a Consistent Supplementation Schedule

If you already have a supplement routine, this part's easy! Just add your CoQ10 to your previously existing routine if it accompanies a meal with fat or oil. Team Nature Made® recommends taking CoQ10 with water and a consistent meal to help your body absorb the supplement (CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like compound) and keep your routine consistent.

Combining CoQ10 with Other Supplements

Most multivitamins don't include CoQ10, so pairing your daily Coenzyme Q10 supplement with something like Nature Made's Advanced Multivitamin For Adults Gummies can help you to fill nutrient gaps with the multivitamin while also providing additional heart health, cellular energy, and antioxidant support.†

Is it Okay to Take CoQ10 Every Day?

Daily CoQ10 supplementation is generally considered safe; always follow the suggested use of your supplement, which should be found on the label, and consult with a healthcare professional before starting or changing your supplement routine. CoQ10 supplementation can support your body's immune function and antioxidant protection.

How to Supplement CoQ10 Effectively

While all of Nature Made's current CoQ10 supplements provide Coenzyme Q10 in its Ubidecarenone form, CoQ10 may also be available as Ubiquinol. Understanding the difference between these forms would take more than this last paragraph; thankfully, we've got the article for you! Check out "CoQ10 Guide: Differences Between Ubidecarenone vs. Ubiquinol" to answer your burning questions. Nature Made is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin & Supplement Brand*; our CoQ10 supplements are United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Verified.†

▲Better absorption than standard CoQ10.

*Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Saini R. Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(3):466-467. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.84471
2. Mantle D, Heaton RA, Hargreaves IP. Coenzyme Q10, Ageing and the Nervous System: An Overview. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;11(1):2. Published 2021 Dec 21. doi:10.3390/antiox11010002
3. Ernster L, Dallner G. Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1995;1271(1):195-204. doi:10.1016/0925-4439(95)00028-3
4. Raizner AE. Coenzyme Q10. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2019;15(3):185-191. doi:10.14797/mdcj-15-3-185
5. Garrido-Maraver J, Cordero MD, Oropesa-Ávila M, et al. Coenzyme q10 therapy. Mol Syndromol. 2014;5(3-4):187-197. doi:10.1159/000360101