CoQ10 - Ubiquinol or Ubiquinone? | Pharma Nord

Coenzyme Q10 supplements come in two forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. There are many myths and misconceptions about which form of CoQ10 supplement is better. In actual fact, there is a difference in the way in which the two forms of Coenzyme Q10 are absorbed.

In this video, it can be seen that the content of the ubiquinol supplement is mostly converted to the ubiquinone form of CoQ10 when it reaches the stomach. The CoQ10 then transits from the stomach to the small intestines where is absorbed in the ubiquinone form. Once the ubiquinone has passed from the intestinal absorption cells into the lymph, it converts back to the ubiquinol form. It passes from the lymph to the blood in the form of ubiquinol. There are two conversions in the body from the time the ubiquinol is swallowed until it enters the blood circulation.

Ubiquinone, on the other hand, passes from the stomach to the small intestines and is absorbed as ubiquinone. In the lymph, the ubiquinone is converted to the ubiquinol form, and it enters the blood circulation in the ubiquinol form. There is only one conversion in the body from the time the ubiquinone is swallowed until it enters the blood circulation.

The body will get CoQ10 in the antioxidant form in the lymph and the blood regardless of whether the CoQ10 supplement is in the ubiquinone or ubiquinol form. This basic fact begs the question: why buy a ubiquinol supplement when a ubiquinone supplement is less expensive, more stable, and better documented?

Why pay more for less?