Coenzyme Q10 ubiquinol spray – 10 mg per spray, Kaneka QH®, 50 ml

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble substance that the body makes itself. It is found mainly in the mitochondria, the power stations of the cells, where it is involved in energy production. It also acts as an antioxidant in cell membranes. We take in small amounts with meat, fish, nuts and vegetable oils.

The EU has not authorised any health claim for coenzyme Q10; EFSA reviewed several proposed claims and rejected them. This page therefore only describes what the substance is and what research says about it.

Coenzyme Q10 exists in two forms that the body converts into each other: ubiquinone is the oxidised form, ubiquinol the reduced form. In the blood, coenzyme Q10 is mainly present as ubiquinol, even when you take ubiquinone.

Whether ubiquinol is absorbed better has not been shown consistently. In a small study of 12 healthy people, the blood level rose more with ubiquinol than with ubiquinone (PubMed 27128225). In a study of 21 older people, the difference after a single dose was not significant (PubMed 32188111). Both studies used 100 to 200 mg; this spray provides 30 mg per day.

The label says: let three sprays dissolve on the tongue, spread over the day. One spray contains 10 mg ubiquinol, three sprays 30 mg. There is no time of day at which coenzyme Q10 has been shown to work better.

Because coenzyme Q10 is fat-soluble, it is usually absorbed better together with a meal that contains fat. Do not exceed the recommended amount of three sprays a day.

Chemically, coenzyme Q10 resembles vitamin K. Individual case reports have described a weaker effect of warfarin or phenprocoumon while taking Q10. If you take such anticoagulants, only take Q10 after talking to your doctor and have your clotting value checked. It also makes sense to ask if you take medicines for blood pressure or blood sugar.

The spray contains soy lecithin; it is not suitable if you have a soy allergy. If you take medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with the ORY expert team or with your doctor or naturopath beforehand; you can also ask at your pharmacy.

Statins lower not only cholesterol but also the body's own production of coenzyme Q10. Whether supplementing reduces muscle symptoms during statin treatment is disputed. One meta-analysis of twelve studies found an improvement (PubMed 30371340), another of seven studies found no benefit (PubMed 32179207).

No claim about this is authorised for foods. If you notice muscle pain or weakness while taking statins, talk to your doctor and do not stop the statin on your own.

No heart claim is authorised for coenzyme Q10. A Cochrane review on preventing cardiovascular disease found only six small studies, none with data on heart attack or mortality (PubMed 25474484). A Cochrane review on heart failure found evidence of fewer hospital stays, based mainly on one study with 300 mg a day in addition to medical treatment (PubMed 35608922).

Heart disease belongs in medical care. Coenzyme Q10 does not replace medicines.

Yes. At ORY, coenzyme Q10 is part of the Vitamincheck Basis, together with vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E. The value also depends on blood lipids, because Q10 is bound to lipid carriers in the blood.

A lab report on its own is not a recommendation. Whether you supplement is something you discuss with the ORY expert team or with your doctor or naturopath.

The bottle contains 50 ml. Ingredients according to the label: water, ubiquinol (Kaneka QH®), soy lecithin as an emulsifier and sunflower oil. One spray contains 10 mg ubiquinol, the daily amount of three sprays 30 mg. No alcohol, colourings or preservatives, no gluten or lactose.

Kaneka QH® is the brand name of the ubiquinol raw material made by the Japanese manufacturer Kaneka. There is no EU reference value (NRV) for coenzyme Q10.