Is CoQ10 Worth the Money?

A small nutrient with a significant impact on your heart, muscles and energy

You’re doing your best by taking care of your health, following your doctor’s advice and watching your numbers. Maybe you’re on a statin for cholesterol, or keeping an eye on your blood pressure. You might even be getting back into exercise. But something still feels off. A bit more fatigue than usual. Some muscle aches that weren’t there before. Less energy to get through the day.

That’s where Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10, often enters the conversation. It’s not new, and it’s not hype. But for some people, it might quietly help where it matters most.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a supplement that has been gaining popularity. It’s found naturally in your body’s cells, protecting them from damage and keeping them working properly. Researchers continue to study CoQ10 and its potential role as a supplement in helping prevent certain chronic health conditions, such as heart disease.

CoQ10 helps in the body’s energy production and has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in the body that can damage cells. “Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, and what it lacks, you generally can make up in your diet,” says Evelyn Victoria, R.D.N., a clinical dietitian nutritionist specializing in cardiovascular health at the University of Miami Health System.

What claims are made about CoQ10?

There are plenty of claims made about CoQ10, including:

• Boosts energy
• Supports metabolism
• Aids in weight loss
• Improves heart health
• Decreases muscle cramps from statins

“These claims often come from studies showing that patients with heart failure may be deficient in CoQ10,” says Victoria.

However, heart disease is caused by many factors. Taking CoQ10 doesn’t cure or prevent heart failure.

The same goes for claims about increasing metabolism and helping you lose weight. CoQ10 is an antioxidant that your body needs for energy and cellular function, but it’s only one part of the puzzle.

Statins and muscle pain: Can CoQ10 help?

Statins are incredibly effective at lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks and strokes. For some people, they do come with side effects, especially muscle soreness, weakness or cramps. Doctors call this statin-induced myopathy, and it’s one of the main reasons patients stop taking these medications.

A recent 2024 systematic review published in the journal Cureus reviewed five high-quality clinical studies involving over 800 patients. The results were consistent: CoQ10 supplementation helped ease statin-related muscle symptoms, with no serious side effects reported in any of the trials.

CoQ10 and heart failure: An energy boost for a tired heart

Heart failure can make even basic tasks feel exhausting. When the heart can’t pump efficiently, the body doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. “CoQ10 plays a key role in energy production inside heart cells, and it may offer added support for those with weakened heart function,” says Maria Delgado-Lelievre, M.D., a cardiologist and founder and director of the Comprehensive Hypertension Center at the University of Miami Health System.

A 2024 meta-analysis published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders examined 33 randomized controlled trials. The findings were striking: CoQ10 use was associated with lower all-cause mortality, fewer hospitalizations and improved measures of heart function and physical endurance. It also helped lower levels of BNP, a marker of heart strain, without causing harm.

Supporting blood pressure modestly but meaningfully

If your blood pressure is on the high side, especially systolic pressure (the top number), lifestyle changes are often the first step. CoQ10 might add a slight, safe boost to your effort.

A 2025 systematic review of 45 randomized controlled trials, published in the International Journal of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Risk Prevention, found that CoQ10 lowered systolic blood pressure by about 3 to 4 mmHg. “The benefits were most noticeable with lower daily doses (under 200 mg) and when taken for more than eight weeks. However, the supplement didn’t have a clear effect on diastolic blood pressure or heart rate,” says Dr. Delgado.

Post-workout recovery: Another area of promise

If you recently became more active, you may have noticed soreness or slow recovery. That’s normal, but excessive muscle damage or fatigue can slow down your progress.

In 2025, researchers reviewed 17 studies on CoQ10’s role in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. Published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, the review found that CoQ10 helped reduce markers of muscle stress and inflammation, including lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. “While the results varied by dose and duration, the trend suggested that CoQ10 may support faster recovery and less post-exercise soreness,” says Dr. Delgado.

Dietary sources of CoQ10

CoQ10 supplements are expensive, costing around $40 a month, so it’s important to evaluate the financial tradeoff of CoQ10, says Victoria, as you can spend the same amount on whole foods. “When we isolate nutrients like CoQ10, we might miss out on all the other benefits of whole foods.” CoQ10 is found naturally in certain foods such as:

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Strawberries
• Organ meats like liver
• Canola oil
• Fatty fish
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains

If you follow a vegetarian diet or don’t like eating organ meat, fruits and vegetables like parsley, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower can provide a rich source of antioxidants the body needs. They also provide fiber, vitamins and minerals, which is important as well.

Can you be deficient in CoQ10?

You can be deficient in CoQ10 if you don’t get enough sources of foods high in CoQ10, or if you have cellular issues that prevent CoQ10 from getting properly absorbed, says Victoria.

However, it’s hard to know if someone is deficient in CoQ10. “There isn’t a standardized lab test that measures CoQ10 levels in tissues like the heart or muscles, where it’s most active,” says Victoria.

Safe, well-tolerated and worth considering

Most people can take CoQ10 without issues. Mild side effects like stomach discomfort are rare. Doses in research studies typically range between 100 and 300 mg per day. However, it’s important to check with your doctor, especially if you’re taking blood thinners like warfarin or medications for blood sugar control.

CoQ10 isn’t a magic bullet. But when used thoughtfully, it might support your health in ways that are subtle but significant. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you should take CoQ10. And make sure you’re prioritizing a healthy food-first approach to nutrition and wellness.

Written by Wendy Margolin for UHealth.

Tags: CoQ10 and energy, CoQ10 antioxidant properties, CoQ10 benefits, CoQ10 dosage, Evelyn Victoria