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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 >>

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3 Comments

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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

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