1. Home
  2. / CL Answers
  3. / Does taking natural versus synthetic CoQ10 make a difference? How do you know which product is natural or synthetic?

Our Members Asked:

Does taking natural versus synthetic CoQ10 make a difference? How do you know which product is natural or synthetic?

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. cooperman.png

Initially Posted: 01/14/2015 | Last Updated: 08/04/2017

Answer:

As explained in the "Synthetic vs. Natural" section of the CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review, naturally formed CoQ10 is 100% in the "trans" isomer form. Synthetically formed material is also predominantly in the "trans" form with a small amount in the "cis" form. Since the fermentation process using bacteria or yeast is much cheaper than chemical synthesis and provides 100% natural (trans) CoQ10, most, but not all, CoQ10 found in the marketplace today is made by a fermentation process.

You can read more about this and get test results for products that contain the natural form of CoQ10, in the CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review >>

Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,300 reviews.

Join Now

Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/

2 Comments

Related CL Answers (6)

Can CoQ10 or ubiquinol be ruined by heat? I recently purchased several bottles of Qunol Plus from Costco.com and they arrived hot. The soft gels are not melted, but I am concerned.

Find out whether your CoQ10 or ubiquinol supplement can be destroyed by heat during shipping and at what temperature CoQ10 softgels can melt. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Can I take CoQ10 at the same time as my statin, or should I take them separately?

Taking CoQ10 and statins (such as lovastatin and simvastatin)? Find out if you can take them at the same time or if they should be taken separately. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Do I need to divide my daily 300 mg dose of CoQ10 into smaller doses, or can I take it all at once?

Find out when to take CoQ10 supplements. Should you take CoQ10 at once, or in smaller doses? Understand the best way. ConsumerLab.com explains.

What is "nano" CoQ10? Is it better than other CoQ10 formulations?

Learn more about "nano" CoQ10 supplements,such as NanoCoQ10 and VesiSorb CoQ10, including clinical evidence and comparisons to other formulations. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Are CoQ10 and ubiquinol safe to take for a long period of time? Should I give it a rest period?

CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements safety tips - including dosage, side effects, drug interactions and prolonged usage. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Is it worth paying more for "pharmaceutical grade" CoQ10? What about "natural" or "live source" CoQ10?

Pharmaceutical grade CoQ10 supplements - are they worth the cost? Learn more including info on "natural" or "live source" CoQ10 compared to synthetic. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Related Reviews (1)

CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements

Recent CL Answers

Join the conversation

Mark398
January 14, 2015

The "Natural Fermentation Process" also produces Co-Q9, 8, 7 etc.. which then has to be removed by another process. The synthetic process only produces Co-Q10.
Three Japanese companies produce Co-Q10 via the fermentation process; Kaneka, Mitsubishi and Asahi. A fourth Japanese company, Nishin extracts a compound called "Solanesol" from tobacco leaves and converts it to Co-Q10.

Dennis394
January 14, 2015

You didn't address the REAL synthetic-- and superior-- form of CoQ10 known as IDEBENONE...!

ConsumerLab.com
January 15, 2015

Hi Dennis - We've now added more information about idebenone to the CoQ10 Review, which you can find here: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/%20/CoQ10/#idebenone

Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to CL Answers

Join Now

Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/