If you take CoQ10, you’re likely hoping to feel less sluggish and give your body an extra boost. Although the body naturally produces the antioxidant, CoQ10 supplements are among the more widely used dietary supplements and have been studied for a variety of uses, including supporting heart health and relieving migraines.
But how much of a difference you can expect depends on a few factors. So what does the evidence actually say about taking CoQ10, and what happens if you take it every day?
CoQ10 refers to Coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring substance found in all tissues of the body, but mostly energy-intensive organs, including the heart, kidney, liver and muscles. Since it is produced by the body, you usually don’t need the nutritional supplement
versions, though it is often recommended to patients on statins or who have muscle weakness stemming from SAMS – statin associated myopathy syndrome – said Albert Raizner, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Still, Raizner underlined that CoQ10 is not approved by the Food & Drug Administration for any specific clinical indication, and treatment with CoQ10 has not been widely accepted by heart failure experts.
Can I take CoQ10 every day?
Always speak with a reputable medical provider before taking any kind of medication or supplement. That said, there are no risks to taking CoQ10 daily, which is usually how the nutritional supplement is given.
CoQ10 peaks in concentration after six to eight hours, Raizner said. Some side effects have been reported, including decreased appetite, sleep disorders, GI symptoms, headaches, dizziness, itching and elevated liver function tests.
Overall, since the antioxidant is already naturally present in the body, experts say it should be well-tolerated.
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"There are no known negative consequences to taking CoQ10 long term, other than on the pocketbook,” Raizner said.
He added there aren’t any known drug interactions with CoQ10, though people on a blood thinner called warfarin may find that the warfarin is less effective and that their dose may need adjusting.
What are the signs CoQ10 is working?
For people using CoQ10 purely as a nutritional supplement, “there is no way of knowing if it is of benefit,” Raizner said, likening it to vitamin supplements.
If a person has signs of SAMS, including muscle aches, cramps and weakness, that subside when CoQ10 is given, it's likely the treatment is working, he added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happens if I take CoQ10 every day?
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