What Is CoQ10 and Who Should Consider Supplementation:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential electron carrier in the respiratory chain, whereas
almost all of the energy for the body is produced.
CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant, which protects the body from damage caused
by harmful molecules. - Having been a mainstay of the “mitochondrial cocktail” for the treatment of
mitochondrial disease for decades, many physicians now recommend CoQ10
supplementation for a variety of different medical conditions, including many
neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. - Some people with these conditions have severe CoQ10 deficiency and substantial
improvement occurs with CoQ10 supplementation. More frequently, CoQ10 levels are
not deficient, yet supplementation results in clinical improvement via enhanced energy
metabolism or driven by its antioxidant properties in ameliorating an underlying
metabolic, redox, or mitochondrial condition. - One study in children with autism reported that significant improvements were noted
using CoQ10, including in communication and social skills as well as sleeping (see here
for details). - CoQ10 is also sometimes recommended for treating a wide range of other conditions,
especially heart disease and migraine, including cyclic vomiting.
Given the above and its tolerability (side effects are rare and mild), many expert
physicians recommend CoQ10 in their patients with a variety of neurological and
neurodevelopmental conditions, especially in those with signs of mitochondrial
dysfunction and/or manifestations of migraine or chronic pain. - CoQ10 is such an essential component of the mitochondrial cocktail that any
mitochondrial-targeted approach is likely to fail unless sufficient CoQ10 is
supplemented. - There is a substantial amount of CoQ10 in SpectrumNeeds®, however, all in the
ubiquinone form since ubiquinol is not stable and bioavailable in a powder form. CoQ10
blood monitoring suggests that this amount is rarely enough, and Dr. Boles generally
recommended additional CoQ10, usually ubiquinol, for his patients, whether or not they
are taking SpectrumNeeds®.
Dr. Boles’ CoQ10 Supplementation Recommendations:
- There are many brands of CoQ10 on the market, yet in Dr. Boles’ experience most of
them are poorly absorbed, in that even extremely high doses do not lead to desired
blood levels. - There are a few good brands of CoQ10, some of which are discussed here. However, no
single CoQ10 product is perfect for everyone.
NeuroNeeds® launched its own CoQ10 product, QNeeds®, in May, 2019.
NeuroNeeds®-Brand CoQ10: QNeeds®
- Dr. Boles is the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of NeuroNeeds®, and the main
designer of QNeeds®. - With that stated, Dr. Boles believes that QNeeds® has advantages over other CoQ10 products on the market today. Here are the advantages of QNeeds®:
- Sourced from Kaneka®-brand ubiquinol, a premium product.
- Packaged in a small, very-easy-to-swallow softgel.
- Enhanced, state-of-the-art bioavailability, achieved in part by low dosing of natural ingredients, including d-limonene, alpha-lipoic acid, and capric andcaprylic acids. This can mean lower dosing for the same blood level and clinical
- effect.
- Contains no soy or other common antigens.
- Retails at a good price.
- Volume discounts are available at
contact@neuroneeds.com
