Ubiquinol is the active and more easily absorbed form of Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10, a naturally occurring antioxidant responsible for providing our cells with energy. ^[i] More than 95% of the total CoQ10 in plasma in a young, healthy body is in the Ubiquinol form.^[ii]

Our bodies convert conventional CoQ10, or Ubiquinone, into ubiquinol before it can be used to create cellular energy. Therefore, it is a critical component of energy production for every cell of the body. It is concentrated in organs that require the most energy such as the heart, liver, muscles, and kidneys. 

What is the main difference between Ubiquinol and CoQ10?

Ubiquinol is the active, reduced form of CoQ10 (also referred to as Ubiquinone), and the key difference is its ability to act as a potent- lipid soluble antioxidant. This means that Ubiquiunol penetrates the cell membranes more easily and is three to eight time more absorbable than Ubiquinone. ^[iii]

Why do we need Ubiquinol?

Ubiquinol has an antioxidant mechanism, which helps protect the body against free radicals and supports the immune system.^[iv] An imbalance, or too many free radicals and antioxidants in the body can lead to cell and tissue damage which may impact heart health and other health concerns. 

Ubiquinol has also been scientifically proven to help maintain a healthy heart by providing and maintaining the levels of cellular energy necessary to ensure that the heart is pumping efficiently. Ubiquinol also helps to sustain healthy levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein, also known as the “bad” cholesterol because it collects in the walls of our blood vessels) and is linked to the regeneration of Vitamin E levels.^[v] Increased LDL is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and atherosclerosis.^[vi] Vitamin E plays an important role because of its antioxidant activity, including the prevention of oxidative stress, protection of cell membranes and disease protection. ^[vii]

Ubiquinol supplements have also been found to replenish CoQ10 levels depleted by oxidative stress, popular cholesterol, or statin medications.^[viii] Our bodies naturally convert less CoQ10 to Ubiquinol from the age of 30, thereby reducing essential antioxidant protection. Deteriorating levels of Ubiquinol may contribute to feeling low on energy and inflammation throughout the body.^[ix]Always consult your healthcare practitioner for th

^[i] Ernster, L., and P. Forsmark-Andre. “Ubiquinol: An Endogenous Antioxidant In Aerobic Organisms”. The Clinical Investigator, vol 71, no. S8, 1993. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00226842. Accessed 14 Dec 2021.

^[ii] Wada, Hiroo et al. “Redox Status of  Coenzyme Q10 is Associated with Chronological Age”. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, vol 55, no. 7, 2007, pp. 1141-1142. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01209.x.

^[iii] Bhagavan, Hemmi N., and Raj K. Chopra. “Potential Role Of Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) In Pediatric Cardiomyopathy”. Clinical Nutrition, vol 24, no. 3, 2005, pp. 331-338. Elsevier BV, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2004.12.005.

^[iv] Ernster, L., and P. Forsmark-Andre. “Ubiquinol: An Endogenous Antioxidant In Aerobic Organisms”. The Clinical Investigator, vol 71, no. S8, 1993. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00226842. Accessed 14 Dec 2021.

^[v] Stocker, R. et al. “Ubiquinol-10 Protects Human Low Density Lipoprotein More Efficiently Against Lipid Peroxidation Than Does Alpha-Tocopherol.”. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, vol 88, no. 5, 1991, pp. 1646-1650. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.88.5.1646.

^[vi] Kanonidou, Christina. “Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein: Analytical Review”. Clinica Chimica Acta, vol 520, 2021, pp. 172-178. Elsevier BV, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2021.06.012.

^[vii] Sozen, Erdi et al. “Vitamin E: Regulatory Role In The Cardiovascular System”. IUBMB Life, vol 71, no. 4, 2019, pp. 507-515. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/iub.2020.

^[viii] Ernster, L., and P. Forsmark-Andre. “Ubiquinol: An Endogenous Antioxidant In Aerobic Organisms”. The Clinical Investigator, vol 71, no. S8, 1993. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00226842. Accessed 14 Dec 2021.

^[ix] Cross, Jo. “MEDLINE, Pubmed, Pubmed Central, And The NLM”. Editors’ Bulletin, vol 2, no. 1, 2006, pp. 1-5. Informa UK Limited, https://doi.org/10.1080/17521740701702115.