Does coq10 boost fertility? 

Coenzyme Q10 is also known as Co Q10, C-O Q10 and ubiquinone. This amazing compound has many functions in the body including energy production and antioxidant activity. Although our body produces coenzyme Q10 naturally, the amount we produce declines with age. 

I’m sure that you’ve heard that our fertility decreases as we get older. Research suggests that one of the key reasons for this is reduced mitochondrial functioning, resulting in lower quality, and quantity of eggs available for fertilisation.  

Mitochondria are a tiny organelle found inside every one of our body’s cells. I like to think of mitochondria as the battery of the cell, giving it the energy that it needs to function effectively. So, you can imagine that if the batteries of our eggs are running flat, it’s going to be harder to conceive. 

And, that’s why your healthcare practitioner may suggest Coenzyme Q10 supplements for you. 

Emerging research suggests that supplementation of coenzyme Q10 may boost mitochondrial function within our eggs to limit oxidative damage, while also reducing the rate of egg cell death within the ovaries. Interestingly, when young, our ovaries produce relatively high levels of CoQ10, but us older girls produce much less.

So, how do we make sure that we get adequate CoQ10?

One of the reasons that CoQ10 is also called ubiquinol is that it is ubiquitous, which means common, so you can find it in a VERY wide variety of healthy foods. So, as long as you’re eating a healthy diet, you should be getting enough. Some of the best food sources however are fish, peanuts and avocado.  

CoQ10 and fertility

There’s certainly a lot more research to be done, but emerging research suggests that coQ10 supplements may be beneficial for men with poor sperm motility and women over the age of thirty five who are trying to conceive.  Thankfully, it seems that our ovaries are able to efficiently uptake CoQ10 from external sources like supplements.

CoQ10 supplementation has no significant side effects, however, may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin and other anticoagulant medications so it’s always wise to discuss your needs with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.  It can also interact with statins and beta-blocker medications. Excessive doses can cause nausea and vomiting, so be careful of that too. 

Although it’s best to get personalized advice from your healthcare professional, it’s often best taken twice per day, instead of once so that you are continually providing those antioxidants to defend your eggs or sperm against the effects of pollution. 

Finally…

Remember that if you’re eating an unhealthy diet, no supplement is going to be strong enough to reverse the damage, no matter how much you take, so focus on a nutritious diet and use supplements to ‘supplement’ your diet, rather than relying on them to do all the work. 

I’d love to hear if you’ve tried taking coq10 supplements, so let me know in the chat box below.  And, if you haven’t done so already, make sure you download my free fertility meal plan from www.melaniemcgrice.com/fertility.