Effects of CoQ10 Supplementation on Cardiovascular Function and Energy Metabolism: A Meta-Analysis
Mantle D, Hargreaves IP, et al.
Evidence is still building up
Summary
CoQ10 functions as a coenzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Complexes I, II, and III), underpinning cellular ATP production. This meta-analysis confirmed that statin use reduces CoQ10 blood levels by 40–50%. Supplementation with 100–300 mg/day showed moderate effects in reducing statin-induced myalgia and improving ejection fraction (EF) in heart failure patients. Evidence for enhancing athletic performance in healthy adults remains weak, and larger trials are needed. Combining CoQ10 with PQQ is still at an early research stage.
Key findings
- 1
CoQ10 100–300 mg/day reduced statin-induced myalgia (consistent across multiple RCTs)
- 2
Ejection fraction (EF) significantly improved in heart failure patients (moderate effect size)
- 3
Evidence for improving athletic performance in healthy adults is insufficient (mostly small, short-term studies)
- 4
Synergistic effects with PQQ have been suggested, but research is still at an early stage
Last checked: 2026-06-24