Let’s just cut right to the chase: If you were ever in search of a “wonder-drug,” you may have just stumbled across it. Coenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10 or just Q10, is found in every cell of the body. In fact, it’s essential for basic cell function. In addition to energy production for cell growth and maintenance, Q10 also acts as an antioxidant. Furthermore, since it’s an enzyme, it works to digest food.

You can actually find it as a naturally occurring enzyme in several foods. But experts say “levels are particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver, and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts.” So, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, your options are limited and even more so if you also have soy and peanut allergies. Not to worry. Q1o is also available as a supplement in stores, but just be sure to check it’s source in case allergies are an issue.

Benefits of Q10 Supplements

Just what exactly is CoQ10 good for anyway? Brace yourself, because the Mayo Clinic lays out a very long list of conditions that can be treated or supplemented with Q10. Some of these conditions are potentially very serious, so it is imperative that you seek initial treatment and possible diagnosis from your healthcare practitioner. These conditions include:

• Conenzyme Q10 deficiency
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Aging (skin)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Asthma
• Breast cancer
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Chemotherapy side effects
• Chest pain
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Cocaine dependence
• Coronary heart disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diabetes
• Dry mouth
• Exercise performance
• Fibromyalgia
• Gum disease
• Hearing loss
• Heart attack
• Heart disease (chronic myocardial disease)
• Heart disease prevention
• Heart muscle injury
• Heart protection during surgery
• Hepatitis C
• High cholesterol
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Immune enhancement
• Infant development/neonatal care
• Kidney failure
• Male infertility
• Migraine
• Mitochondrial disease
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Movement disorders
• Muscle weakness
• Muscular dystrophies
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Nerve pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peyronie’s disease
• Pre-eclampsia
• Prostate cancer
• Psoriasis
• Recovery from surgery
• Ringing in the ears
• Weight loss

Some Caution

Believe it or not, that’s not even the full list. It goes on and on with things like hair loss, depression, and speech disorders. But, it’s very important to talk to your physician about taking Q10. Research shows that taking more than 100mg per day can cause mild insomnia. More than 300mg can lead to elevated liver enzymes. And they report other side effects such as:

• Rash
• Nausea
• Upper abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light
• Irritability
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Fatigue

CoQ10 for Fibromyalgia

Research shows that people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have significantly low levels of CoQ10. Although more research is needed, early studies have shown that Q10 is beneficial for fibromyalgia patients. This includes a “prominent reduction” in pain, fatigue, and morning tiredness. That same study added, “Furthermore, we observed an important reduction in the pain visual scale (p<0.01) and a reduction in tender points (p<0.01), including recovery of inflammation, antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial biogenesis, and AMPK gene expression levels, associated with phosphorylation of the AMPK activity. These results lead to the hypothesis that CoQ₁₀ have a potential therapeutic effect in FM [fibromyalgia], and indicate new potential molecular targets for the therapy of this disease [emphasis added].”

In other words, it worked. And that was just after 40 days of 300mg. Given all of the symptoms associated with fibro as well as the conditions Q10 can treat, that makes a lot of sense. Indeed, the Mayo Clinic now recommends taking 300mg for nine months to treat fibromyalgia.

CoQ10 for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Another study conducted in 2015 among 75 Spanish chronic fatigue patients examined the use of CoQ10 combined with another enzyme, NADH. Patients were also given 200mg of Q10 daily, divided into three doses. They were also given 20mg of NADH. After eight weeks, patients experienced approximately a 50% reduction in pain and increased CoQ10 levels. “These observations lead to the hypothesis that the oral CoQ₁₀ plus NADH supplementation could confer potential therapeutic benefits on fatigue and biochemical parameters in CFS.”

Non-profit chronic fatigue education and support group, Phoenix Rising, reports on CoQ10 research. They add that “doses have ranged from 30-300 mg/day often taken in divided doses… A 2012 fibromyalgia study employed 300 mgs/day. CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it is better absorbed when taken with a meal that contains oil or fat. It may take up to eight weeks to see effects.”

Clearly, Q10 has a lot to offer in the way of treating a variety of conditions, including those that are debilitating and deadly. Have you ever used it to treat fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue? What about other conditions? Tell us your experience.