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Fact checked by Nick Blackmer
- CoQ10 is a supplement that’s been promoted for its ability to support blood sugar.
- While some research shows promise, these studies have important limitations.
- Clinicians don’t routinely recommend CoQ10 to their patients to help reduce blood sugar.
You may have seen coenzyme Q10—also known as CoQ10—touted online for blood sugar control. However, experts say there’s not enough evidence that it reliably improves blood sugar management.
Your body naturally makes CoQ10, a vitamin-like antioxidant that supports energy production in your cells. Supplements are often marketed for heart health, but research on their benefits varies.
What Does the Science Say?
Overall, CoQ10 isn’t something clinicians routinely suggest for blood sugar management.
It’s “not something that we hang our hat on in terms of being confident enough to recommend to our patients,” Cecilia Low Wang, MD, an endocrinologist at UCHealth in Aurora, Colorado, told Health.
Some studies suggest CoQ10 supplementation may modestly reduce fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and A1C—a measure of average blood sugar levels—after 8-10 weeks of daily use, particularly among those with prediabetes and diabetes, said Megan Wroe, MS, RD, CNE, CLEC, a wellness manager and registered dietitian at Providence St. Jude Medical Center.
However, those findings come with important caveats. Many studies are short, meaning “longer-term data isn’t really there,” Wroe told Health.
Because trials often don’t control for factors like diet, physical activity, or the presence of multiple chronic conditions, it’s difficult to determine whether CoQ10 is truly responsible for any of the positive results.
The body of evidence is also limited by small study sizes, Low Wang noted. In addition, some papers have been retracted or have received an “expression of concern” regarding the integrity of the research, she said.
How Does CoQ10 Improve Blood Sugar Control?
Again, there’s no solid evidence linking CoQ10 to meaningful blood sugar support. But if it does have an effect, what might explain it?
“Lots of potential mechanisms for benefit have been proposed, ranging from improvements in insulin signaling to helping the function of beta cells in the pancreas,” Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, FACE, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health, told Health.
Wroe added that COQ10’s anti-inflammatory properties—particularly when paired with lifestyle measures like a healthy diet and exercise—could play a role in blood sugar control.
Some researchers also hypothesize that by protecting against mitochondrial damage, CoQ10 may help cells process glucose more efficiently.
What Should You Consider Before Taking Supplements?
As with any supplement, it’s best to talk with your doctor before trying CoQ10. While it’s generally considered safe, CoQ10 can interfere with some medications and therapies, especially anti-cancer therapies, Low Wang said.
When CoQ10 is used for blood sugar management, typical doses range from 100 to 200 milligrams per day, Pessah-Pollack said. Any potential benefit may be most pronounced for people with existing type 2 diabetes, she added.
Still, CoQ10 isn’t a substitute for healthy lifestyle strategies.
“We know that lifestyle changes such as a heart-healthy diet are the first-line treatment for managing type 2 diabetes, based on excellent data,” said Pessah-Pollack. “While CoQ10 may have some benefit on blood sugar levels, the effects are significantly less and inconsistent compared to that which is achieved by diabetes medications and lifestyle interventions such as diet modifications, increased activity, and weight reduction.”
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements.
Read the original article on Health
