Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10 for short) is a fat-soluble compound produced by your body and stored in the mitochondria of your cells.
CoQ10 helps generate energy in your cells and protects against oxidative damage, though production decreases as you age, and many older people are deficient in CoQ10.
Because of its antioxidant effects, many people believe that the best CoQ10 supplements can protect against chronic diseases and promote fertility. In this article, we’ll explore the health benefits of Coenzyme Q10 and the link between CoQ10 and fertility to help you improve your chances of starting a family.
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone) can be found in various states, though the most common form is Ubiquinol, which is fully reduced, or not oxidised at all. Ubiquinol is mainly responsible for the antioxidant effects of CoQ10, but is more expensive to produce, making it much rarer in dietary supplements, though ubiquinone has very similar health benefits.
RELATED: Learn more about the different forms of CoQ10 in our article on the Differences Between Coq10 and Ubiquinol here.
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Research shows that CoQ10 plays several key roles in your body, helping produce ATP (which is involved with cellular energy transfer), and protecting against oxidative damage. Since ATP is used to carry out all the body’s functions and oxidative damage is linked to many chronic diseases, it’s not surprising that CoQ10 supplements have been recommended for infertility.
Furthermore, oxidative damage is believed to be a major factor in decreased fertility levels, as it affects the quality and quantity of sperm and egg cells. Multiple studies have found that supplementing with Coenzyme Q10 may help to improve fertility, so the best CoQ10 supplements may help you start a family.
Female fertility decreases with age – due to the declining quality and quantity of available egg cells – which is linked to CoQ10 as your body’s natural CoQ10 production also declines as you age. Similarly, male fertility tends to decrease with age due to oxidative damage and other age-related health issues, resulting in reduced sperm count, quality and motility.
RELATED: Learn more about the wider health benefits of Coenzyme Q10 in our article explaining what CoQ10 is used for.
Supplementing with CoQ10 may help or even reverse age-related declines in fertility by restoring levels of CoQ10 in your body and protecting against oxidative damage. Several studies show that CoQ10 supplements may help reduce declining egg levels in women and improve sperm quality in men. Therefore, the best CoQ10 supplements could help you conceive if you’ve been struggling with fertility.
CoQ10 supplements generally work quite fast, and studies show they can help with various ailments after a few weeks of supplementation. For example, studies show that supplementing with CoQ10 can improve symptoms of heart disease after 12 weeks, which may seem like a long while, but that’s the standard duration for similar small-scale studies.
RELATED: Figuring out how long to take supplements before you see the benefits is tough, and our blog on restoring your vitamin D levels has more tips for proper nutrition.
Contrastingly, most available studies on the link between CoQ10 and fertility do not specify a timeframe for the benefits to take effect. For this reason, we recommend taking the best CoQ10 supplements for your situation for at least 12 weeks (around 3 months) before deciding they don’t work for you.
Trying to conceive can be stressful, as so many factors could be affecting your fertility – from nutrition to exercise, stress and hormones – but choosing a CoQ10 supplement doesn’t have to be. We’ve selected the best CoQ10 supplements for fertility based on price, convenience and quality, so you can boost your chances of conceiving with the antioxidant benefits of CoQ10:
Qunol’s Ultra CoQ10 supplements are blended with oils for improved absorption, making them 3 times more bioavailable than regular CoQ10, according to the manufacturer. Thanks to their easy-to-swallow softgel capsules and high bioavailability, these are some of the best CoQ10 supplements available.
These supplements are blended with oils, CoQ10 and BioPerine (a patented extract of piperine found in black pepper) to provide even more powerful antioxidant benefits. Given that CoQ10’s fertility benefits are believed to stem from its antioxidant effects, pairing it with another antioxidant compound should provide even better results.
Nature Made’s CoQ10 supplements contain a hefty 200mg of Coenzyme Q10 in each softgel, making them some of the best CoQ10 supplements on this list in terms of potency. Furthermore, they’re tasteless and easy to swallow, so they’re a great pick if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to supplement with CoQ10.
Good news for anyone who struggles to swallow pills and capsules – you can now take your CoQ10 supplements in liquid form, mixed into your favourite drink or shot straight up. Qunol’s liquid CoQ10 contains 100mg of CoQ10 in every 10ml and natural orange and pineapple flavours, giving it a delicious fruity taste and all the benefits of CoQ10.
Fertility is a complex issue governed by complex biological processes, so while it may take more than a dietary supplement to help you conceive, proper nutrition is vital. Furthermore, oxidative damage is a major factor in declining fertility, so any antioxidant supplement will help reverse the oxidative damage to sperm and egg cells.
Coenzyme Q10 is widely considered safe to use and has powerful antioxidant effects that provide various health benefits for many age-related conditions as well as declining fertility. For these reasons, we are more than happy to recommend the best CoQ10 supplements for people trying to conceive as well as those who want to support their general health with dietary supplements.
RELATED: Learn more about the other health benefits of CoQ10 by reading our article on the effects of CoQ10 on blood pressure.
However, you should always consult a doctor before starting a new supplement regime, especially if you believe an underlying health condition may be affecting your fertility levels.
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