SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 16, 2016 – Labdoor, the supplement testing and rating service, announces that their new Coenzyme Q10 Rankings are now published online and ready to help consumers find the highest quality coenzyme Q10 supplements on the market.
Labdoor tested 25 best-selling coenzyme Q10 supplements for coenzyme Q10 content and heavy metal load. Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, ubiquinone, or ubiquinol, is a critical component of the energy production process that sustains our everyday biochemical functions. CoQ10 is also a naturally-produced antioxidant, protecting our tissues from free radicals and oxidative damage.
Products in this report recorded an average of 132.4 mg of CoQ10 per serving, ranging from 42.0 mg in Thorne Research Q10 Plus to 302.4 mg in Kirkland Signature CoQ10. Label accuracy was respectable overall. Compared to products’ stated label claims, measured CoQ10 content deviated an average of 4.7% from label claims. Vitafusion CoQ10, a gummy preparation of the supplement, recorded the worst underage with only 141.2 mg of its claimed 200 mg of CoQ10 per serving.
With regards to safety, all products passed heavy metal screenings and measured CoQ10 levels well within observed safe levels. Currently, research has not linked CoQ10 use to any serious adverse effects, even at doses up to 1200 mg. Most commonly noted side effects include gastrointestinal upset, rashes, headache, low blood pressure, and low blood sugar. 5 products used titanium dioxide in their formulations. Titanium dioxide, although “Generally Regarded as Safe” (GRAS) by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been linked in research to cancer and neurological damage.
CoQ10 deficiency is associated with muscle weakness, mental lapses, gum disease, and blood sugar irregularities. One’s risk for deficiency can increase with age, diabetes, cancer, and congestive heart failure. Interestingly, CoQ10 deficiency is also a common side-effect of taking certain cholesterol-lowering medications like Lipitor®. Supplementing with CoQ10 can curb the effects of deficiency.
In terms of therapeutic uses, 100 mg doses of CoQ10 have been found in research to help with hypertension and migraines. 17 of 25 products met or exceeded this mark. Clinical study notes some potential for higher doses of CoQ10 to slow functional decline in individuals with nerve-related diseases like Parkinson’s and diabetic neuropathy. Manufacturers often claim that CoQ10 is effective for other uses as well, including osteoarthritis, eye diseases, and exercise performance, but supporting research is currently limited.
This new report from Labdoor is designed to help consumers find safe and effective Coenzyme Q10 supplements. Labdoor publishes the data about each product’s active ingredients and potential contaminants on its website. “Quality” and “Value” rankings are also available for viewers to sort through and select products of interest.
For press inquiries, please email press@labdoor.com.
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