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People have been taking CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) supplements to support their heart health for more than 30 years, but very few probably realize that CoQ10 supplements are commercially available in two forms: Ubiquinone, the fully oxidized form of CoQ10, and Ubiquinol, the fully reduced form of CoQ10. The difference between Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol can be confusing, and consumers often wonder about the differences. Both Ubiquinone, often referred to as Conventional CoQ10, and Ubiquinol play important roles in the body's production of cellular energy, but an important distinction is that, when taken as a supplement, Ubiquinone must be converted to Ubiquinol in order to act as an antioxidant.
What is Conventional CoQ10 (Ubiquinone)?Ubiquinone is the fully oxidized form of CoQ10. It plays a key role in creating cellular energy and helping fuel your heart and other organs. | What is Ubiquinol?Ubiquinol is the reduced, antioxidant form of CoQ10. It also plays a key role in creating cellular energy and helping fuel your heart and other organs. |
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What's the Difference: Ubiquinol vs. Ubiquinone?
Here's the biggest difference between Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol: When CoQ10 is taken as a supplement, your body has to first convert it to Ubiquinol before it can be transported in the blood as an antioxidant. This means your body has to do more work before it can send Ubiquinol off to your organs and cells to do its thing. As we get older, our ability to convert Ubiquinone to Ubiquinol becomes less efficient.
Just as your car is powered by gas, your heart, and other organs are powered by cellular energy. Put simply, to create this energy, Ubiquinone, also known as CoQ10, shuttles electrons down a path in your cells called the electron transport chain. As electrons move along the chain, Ubiquinone accepts two electrons, and these added electrons turn Ubiquinone into Ubiquinol. Ubiquinol then passes its extra electrons down an energy gradient to other molecules in the chain. During this process, cellular energy is created in the form of ATP, which makes it usable by the body.
Why is Ubiquinol a Better Supplement Choice Than Conventional CoQ10?
Although the chemical difference between Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone is just two electrons, those electrons have a huge impact. The important point to remember is that Ubiquinol is the antioxidant form of CoQ10 that helps protect against oxidative stress and is better absorbed than conventional CoQ10. Also, as we age, the transformation of CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) to Ubiquinol becomes less efficient. That's why adults over forty may want to consider taking a Ubiquinol supplement.
Compared to Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol has multiple health benefits:
Benefit | Ubiquinol | Conventional CoQ10 |
|---|---|---|
| Required for 95% of your cellular energy production8 11 12 13 14 15 |  |  |
| Superior bioavailability 9 10 11 | | |
| Optimally replenishes Ubiquinol in your body to help protect against oxidative stress and provide cellular energy4 8 9 10 11 | | |
| Predominant form of CoQ10 in a healthy body6 7 8 | |
Who Should Take Ubiquinol Supplements?
When deciding what brand to purchase, always look for the Kaneka Quality Seal, which ensures the product was made with Kaneka Ubiquinol. Then, learn more about other ingredients in the product by reviewing the label, to find the brand that meets your specific dietary needs. To learn more about purchasing Ubiquinol, reference the Buyer’s Guide.
