Ubiquinol (pronounced “you-bik-win-all”) CoQ10 is getting a lot of buzz in the world of wellness, and for good reason. Ubiquinol promotes and helps maintain heart health. It is the active antioxidant form of CoQ10 that plays a critical role in the production of cellular energy your heart and other organs require to function properly. It’s also the only known fat-soluble antioxidant synthesized in the body that acts to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
Simply put, so many people are talking about the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 because it does so much. Even if you already know about the benefits of Ubiquinol for heart health, cellular energy production, and antioxidant protection, you may still have some questions. Our Buyer’s Guide is designed to answer common questions about Ubiquinol and help you add this heart-healthy nutrient to your daily routine.
Download the printable PDF version of the Ubiquinol Buyer’s Guide
Are You Sure You’re Buying Ubiquinol?
Whether you’re shopping for Ubiquinol online or in stores, it can be easy to pick up a bottle of conventional CoQ10 instead. Many companies offer both a Ubiquinol and conventional CoQ10 supplement, which can make it hard to tell the difference between the two. To make sure you’re buying Ubiquinol, you’ll need to look for two main callouts on the bottle: The word “Ubiquinol” listed within the “Supplement Facts” box and the Kaneka Quality Seal.
Kaneka Ubiquinol® is made in the USA at our state of the art facility in Pasadena, TX. Kaneka Nutrients is the only manufacturer of CoQ10 and Ubiquinol in the United States. Kaneka also manufactures Kaneka Ubiquinol® in Japan, but supplements that are purchased in the USA are manufactured at the Texas site.
What to look for when buying the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10
With over 200 retail brands containing Kaneka Ubiquinol® on the market today, choosing one may seem overwhelming. Ubiquinol supplements may be labeled on front of packaging as “Ubiquinol,” “CoQ10 Ubiquinol,” “Super Ubiquinol CoQ10,” “Ubiquinol-QH” or any combination of these or similar names. Be sure to look for the name “Ubiquinol.”
While there are many different Ubiquinol supplement brands that contain Kaneka Ubiquinol®, each brand manufactures its finished product differently. Therefore, you need to look for the “Supplement Facts” panel on the label to confirm that “Ubiquinol” or “Kaneka Ubiquinol” is listed along with the amount per serving, and whether the product contains other nutrients. You also need to read the list of “other ingredients” beneath the Supplement Facts panel to find out what else is in the product. Some brands use gelatin or beeswax, which may be an issue for vegans or those who follow kosher diets, while other ingredients, such as soybean oil or sunflower oil, may be a concern for people with allergies or certain dietary needs.
How Ubiquinol is made
Kaneka makes Ubiquinol at its production facility in the United States, as well as in Japan. The rigorous manufacturing process is closely monitored to ensure consistency and quality at both manufacturing facilities.
Kaneka Ubiquinol® is fermented from yeast and is bioidentical to Ubiquinol synthesized in the human body.
Ubiquinol supplements come in a variety of doses, typically ranging from 50 mg to 200 mg, but nearly every Ubiquinol supplement is delivered in the form of a softgel. Mixing Ubiquinol with oil and then encapsulating it in gelatin reliably keeps the ingredient from coming into contact with light and oxygen, protecting it from oxidation.
Use Recommendations for Ubiquinol
Consult with your doctor or qualified health care provider before beginning any new supplement, including Ubiquinol. Only your qualified health care provider can advise you as to the Ubiquinol dosage best suited to your individual nutritional needs.
For adults, the typical daily serving amount of Ubiquinol recommended on supplement labels is 100 mg. A higher starting amount of Ubiquinol, 200 mg or more, is sometimes recommended by health care providers for older individuals, those taking statin medication, and people with certain health concerns.
Talk to your doctor to determine the Ubiquinol dosage that is right for you and ask about Coenzyme Q10 blood testing.
Ubiquinol Use Guidelines
100mg
For adults take 1 softgel per day.
200mg
For those over 50 or with health concerns, take 1 softgel twice per day.
300mg
For those concerned about depleted ubiquinol levels, take 1 softgel 3 times per day.
If swallowing large pills is difficult for you, look for brands with the Kaneka Quality seal that carry smaller soft gels.
Ubiquinol has a well-established safety profile and has superior absorption compared to conventional CoQ10.
Ubiquinol can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. The best time to take Ubiquinol is when it fits into your schedule, such as when you take your other supplements. Many people choose to take Ubiquinol with breakfast or lunch. While some people take Ubiquinol in the evening, if you have difficulty sleeping, avoid taking Ubiquinol at night or before bedtime.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
What to expect when taking Ubiquinol
People who start taking Ubiquinol generally won’t feel a noticeable difference, but can rest easy knowing the nutrient is doing important work inside their body. The cellular energy made with the help of Ubiquinol is needed by your heart and other energy intensive organs to maintain proper function.
Because Ubiquinol is also a uniquely powerful antioxidant, it helps protect your cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, which can harm cells, proteins and DNA.
Where to buy Kaneka Ubiquinol®, the active antioxidant form of CoQ10
The Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 can be found in most places that sell vitamins and supplements. In the United States this includes nearly 50,000 retail locations, including grocery stores, pharmacies, vitamin shops, and health food stores. It’s usually, but not always, stocked near conventional CoQ10 supplements. However, some stores arrange vitamins and supplements by focus area (e.g., “heart health”) or in alphabetical order. Therefore, if you can’t find Ubiquinol at your favorite retailer, ask someone at the store for help. They may need to check their computer system to see where it is located.
You can also use Kaneka’s handy Find a Retailer tool to find retail stores near you that carry Ubiquinol, or visit an online vitamin supplier.
Watch out for how Ubiquinol and conventional CoQ10 supplements are described
When shopping for Ubiquinol in a store, keep in mind that many conventional CoQ10 supplements use words such as “more absorbable” or “extra strength” on their packaging. This usually means the brand considers it to be a more effective or absorbable version of conventional CoQ10 because of special processing or added ingredients. It doesn’t mean, however, the product contains Ubiquinol, the antioxidant form of CoQ10, or its absorption has been compared to Ubiquinol.
To ensure you’re buying a supplement with Kaneka Ubiquinol®, always look for the specific word “Ubiquinol” on the front of the bottle and inside the Supplement Facts panel on the label. If it doesn’t say “Ubiquinol,” the product doesn’t contain the antioxidant form of CoQ10. Without the word “Ubiquinol” and/or the Kaneka Quality Seal on the label, you’re simply buying ubiquinone, the oxidized form of CoQ10. No matter how much ubiquinone or conventional CoQ10 you take, your body still needs to convert it into Ubiquinol before it can perform its antioxidant functions – a process that becomes less efficient beginning around the age of 40.
If you’re buying a product that combines Ubiquinol with other nutrients such as Omega 3s or Vitamin E, it’s also a good idea to make sure you know how much Ubiquinol is in each serving. Most people who take Ubiquinol consume at least 100 mg per day, which is the amount generally recommended for adults in supplement labeling.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
Make sure your Ubiquinol has the Kaneka Quality Seal
Shop for Ubiquinol on NewQ.com
Are you taking the right form of CoQ10?
What to look for when buying Ubiquinol CoQ10
With over 200 brands of Ubiquinol on the market today, choosing one may seem overwhelming. Ubiquinol supplements may be labeled “CoQ10 Ubiquinol,” “Super Ubiquinol CoQ10,” “Ubiquinol QH” or any combination of various names.
Although a quality Ubiquinol CoQ10 supplement brand contains Kaneka’s Ubiquinol, each brand manufactures its finished product differently. Be sure to read the ingredients on the Supplement Facts label. Some brands use gelatin or beeswax, which may be an issue for vegans or those who follow kosher diets, while other ingredients, such as soybean oil or sunflower oil, may be a concern for people with allergies.
How Ubiquinol CoQ10 is made
Kaneka makes Ubiquinol CoQ10 at its own production facilities in the United States and Japan. The manufacturing process is closely monitored to ensure consistency and quality.
Remember that Ubiquinol CoQ10 is not the same as conventional CoQ10 (called ubiquinone).
The final product, fermented from yeast, is bioidentical to the Ubiquinol made in the human body.
Ubiquinol supplements come in a variety of doses, typically ranging from 50 mg to 200 mg, but nearly every Ubiquinol supplement is delivered in the form of softgels. Mixing Ubiquinol CoQ10 with oil and then encapsulating it in gelatin reliably keeps the ingredient from coming into contact with light and oxygen, protecting it from oxidation.
How to take Ubiquinol CoQ10
Recommended Use |
100mgFor adults under 50, take 1 softgel per day to promote heart health* |
200mgFor those over 50 or with health concerns, take 1 softgel twice per day |
300mgFor those concerned about depleted ubiquinol levels, take 1 softgel 3 times per day |
Kaneka recommends new users take 200 mg to 300 mg of Ubiquinol CoQ10 – perhaps split between morning and afternoon doses – for the first three weeks. This is called a “loading dose” and is designed to bring the amount of Ubiquinol in the blood to optimal levels.
Most people who take Ubiquinol consume 100 mg per day because that is the dose most often used in clinical studies.
After three weeks, many people can move to a 100 mg daily dose. People over the age of 40 or taking cholesterol-lowering statin medication should consider taking 200 mg of Ubiquinol CoQ10 after their initial loading dose.
If you have questions about your specific situation, please consult your physician.
If swallowing large pills is difficult for you, look for brands with the Kaneka Quality seal that carry smaller soft gels.
Ubiquinol CoQ10 is gentle on the stomach and more easily absorbed by the body than conventional CoQ10. Because the nutrient is fat-soluble, many people choose to take it with food, although Ubiquinol soft gels already contain a small amount of fat in the form of oil.
Most people can take Ubiquinol CoQ10 at any time of the day. Although the nutrient plays a vital role in the production of cellular energy, it will not give the rush of energy you might expect from something like caffeine (a stimulant).
Take Ubiquinol after eating, preferably in the morning or later n the day. If you already have difficulty falling asleep, avoid taking Ubiquinol in the evening.
| * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease |
What to expect when taking Ubiquinol CoQ10
Most people who take Ubiquinol CoQ10 won’t feel any different,, but can rest easy knowing the nutrient is doing important work inside their body. The cellular energy made possible with the help of Ubiquinol is needed by your heart and other energy intensive organs to function properly.
Because Ubiquinol CoQ10 is also a uniquely powerful antioxidant, it helps protect your cells from oxidative damage, which can harm cells, proteins and DNA.
In general, the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 doesn’t have any side effects, but it’s good practice to talk to your health care provider before starting it (or any other vitamin or supplement), especially if you take a blood thinning prescription medicine such as Warfarin (Coumadin). Your doctor might need to change the amount of Warfarin you take.
Where to buy Ubiquinol CoQ10
The Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 can be found in most places that sell vitamins and supplements – in the United States, nearly 50,000 grocery stores, pharmacies, vitamin shops, and health food stores. It’s usually, but not always, stocked near conventional CoQ10 supplements. Some stores arrange vitamins and supplements by focus area (e.g., “heart health”) or in alphabetical order.
If you can’t find Ubiquinol at your favorite retailer, ask someone at the store for help.
If you can’t find Ubiquinol at your favorite retailer, ask someone at the store for help. They may need to check their computer system to see where it is located.
Remember that Ubiquinol CoQ10 is not the same as conventional CoQ10 (called ubiquinone). Ubiquinol supplements are often labeled with an assortment of names and occasionally paired with other ingredients. Look for the word “Ubiquinol” on the package or in the Supplement Facts panel, along with the Kaneka Quality Seal. This is how to be sure the product is the advanced active form of CoQ10 that your body can use without any conversion.
You can also use Kaneka’s handy Find a Retailer tool to find retail stores near you that carry Ubiquinol, or visit any online vitamin supplier.
Watch out for how CoQ10 supplements are described
When shopping for Ubiquinol in a store, keep in mind that many conventional CoQ10 supplements use words such as “more absorbable” or “extra strength” on their packaging. This usually means the brand considers it to be a more effective or absorbable version of conventional CoQ10. It doesn’t always mean the product contains or has been compared to the advanced Ubiquinol form of CoQ10.
Look for the specific word “Ubiquinol” on the Supplemental Facts label. If it doesn’t say Ubiquinol, it’s not the advanced active form of CoQ10. It can sometimes be confusing to read the Supplemental Facts label, so always look for “Ubiquinol’ on the package.
Look for the specific word “Ubiquinol” on the supplement package you’re buying.
Without the word “Ubiquinol” and/or the Kaneka Quality Seal, you’re simply buying a different version of the oxidized form of CoQ10. No matter how much you absorb, your body still needs to convert conventional CoQ10 into Ubiquinol – a process that becomes more difficult and less efficient beginning around the age of 40.
If you’re buying a product that combines Ubiquinol CoQ10 with other nutrients such as Omega 3s or Vitamin E, it’s also a good idea to make sure you know how much Ubiquinol is in each serving. Most people who take Ubiquinol consume at least 100 mgs per day because that is the dose most often used in published clinical studies.
