Ubiquinol Supplements

Ubiquinol vs. ubiquinone (regular CoQ10)

This is the distinction worth understanding. CoQ10 exists in two forms: ubiquinone, the standard, oxidized form found in most CoQ10 supplements, and ubiquinol, the reduced, active form your body actually puts to work. Your body converts ubiquinone into ubiquinol to use it. Taking ubiquinol directly skips that conversion step — which is the main reason people choose it over regular CoQ10.

What CoQ10 does

CoQ10 sits at the heart of how cells make energy — it's a key player in the mitochondria, the tiny power plants inside every cell — and it doubles as an antioxidant. It's naturally most concentrated in the body's most energy-hungry tissues, like the heart muscle, which is why it draws so much interest. The body makes its own, but production tends to decline with age.

Who chooses ubiquinol

Ubiquinol is often favoured by older adults, since both natural CoQ10 levels and the body's ability to convert ubiquinone decline with age. It's also chosen by anyone who simply prefers the pre-converted, active form. One common question: people taking statin medications often ask about CoQ10, because statins can lower the body's own levels — if that's you, it's worth raising with your healthcare provider rather than deciding alone.

Forms and strength

Ubiquinol comes as oil-based softgels, since it's fat-soluble — take it with a meal containing some fat for best absorption. Strengths here run from 100 mg to 200 mg. Much of the ubiquinol on the market, including several products here, uses Kaneka ubiquinol, a well-known manufactured source.

Ubiquinol in Canada

Ubiquinol supplements sold in Canada carry a Natural Product Number (NPN) from Health Canada and ship from our Ontario warehouse to addresses across Canada.

A note on ubiquinol

Ubiquinol is generally well tolerated. It can interact with blood thinners and blood-pressure medications, and if you take a statin, talk to your healthcare provider about CoQ10 rather than adjusting anything on your own. Check with your provider too if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.