Is Jarrows Formula a reputable company?
Jarrow Formula has been around since 1977. They are based out of Los Angeles and they only manufacture nutritional products (vitamins and supplements). Jarrow CoQ10 is one of their most popular products.

Until a decade ago, Jarrow contracted out the manufacturing for most of their products (a common practice in this industry). One thing I don’t like about this is that when it’s in someone elses hands, it’s harder to regulate quality. Fortunately as the company grew, they built their very own 45,000-square-foot facility (also in Los Angeles) so now they have full control over the process.

Jarrow is also known to fund CoQ10 research, which I think is important for any reputable vitamin company. Since Jarrow CoQ10 is manufactured in-house and in the United States, it’s a very reputable choice.

Is Jarrow CoQ10 really the best?
Well let’s take a look at each part…

Strength: From the best of my knowledge they have two different strengths (CoQ 30 mg and CoQ10 100 mg) available in a few different formulations. Well it’s true that’s not a big selection, you have to remember many recommended spreading your CoQ10 dosage throughout the day (i.e 100 mg 3x daily instead of 300 mg once daily). This is because CoQ10 only stays in the system several hours.

Formulation: Something unique about Jarrow Formula’s CoQ10 is their formulation. Its proliposome lipid-soluble system is all-natural and according to their research, it has reportedly been shown to raise CoQ10 levels up to 400% (3.2x). They also say it’s absorbed three to four times better than chewable versions.

Price: As mentioned at the start of this Jarrow CoQ10 review, they are considered to be a premium brand, so they do cost a bit more than average. That being said, when you consider that they are made in the United States and have a unique formulation, the added cost for Jarrow CoQ10 isn’t a waste.

Jarrow CoQ10 vs. the competition?
Are they really the best? Well, as you can guess that’s one of those subjective opinions. Personally, I think they are a great, reputable choice for CoQ10 supplements. That being said, at the same time I need to be fair to the competition – there are some great formulations of high absorption ubiquinol also on the market now, which are also worth considering. Whatever the case, Jarrow Formula’s CoQ10 is an excellent choice.

Is Now Foods a trustworthy company?
This company actually has a very interesting history. It was founded in 1968 by a man named El Richard and to this day it remains a family owned business. Their based out of Illinois and that’s also where they have a 263,000 square foot production facility.

I’ve never heard any quality-control complaints about Now CoQ10, or the Now brand for that matter. One thing specifically I like about Now Foods is that they try and source their ingredients from non-Chinese sources as much as possible (and common sense tells us why that’s a good thing!). So as long as they do that, I would say Now is a trustworthy brand.

What types of Now CoQ10 supplements are available?
Like many vitamin manufacturers, Now Foods has greatly diversified their selection of Now CoQ10 supplements over the past several years. These include:

• Now CoQ10 soft gels
• Now CoQ10 lozenges
• Now CoQ10 powder
• Now CoQ10 combination formulas (with fish oils or B vitamins, etc)

Between the different strengths and formulations, there are dozens of different Now Foods CoQ10 products on the market. In my opinion, one of the biggest selling points for them is that they have a wide variety of strengths for regular CoQ10 (ubiquinone). For example they strengths ranging from 30 mg all the way up 600 mg. Now many people actually need the high dosage, but it’s convenient for those that do.

How much does Now CoQ10 cost?
Of course prices vary by retailer, but they tend to be reasonable (especially if you buy them online). They aren’t the cheapest, nor are they the most expensive. I would consider them to have a mid-level price point compared to all the CoQ10 supplements on the market today.

How does Now CoQ10 measure up to the competition?
For traditional CoQ10 (ubiquinone) all things considered, I think Now Foods CoQ10 is a solid choice.

That being said, there is one negative I need to mention in my Now CoQ10 review… and that is their selection of ubiquinol (not ubiquinone, but ubiquinol) is very limited. If you’re not familiar with ubiquinol, it’s a patented formulation of CoQ10 discovered by the Japanese that is reportedly up to 8x more absorbable. At the time of this review in 2010, Now Foods only has 3 different strengths for it. So my only complaint at this time is their limited selection of high absorption CoQ10 ubiquinol.

My experience with Swanson Vitamins
Prices is extremely important for me, but I don’t like to compromise on quality either (especially when it comes to my health). Last fall I was looking for a new place to buy vitamin supplements, because places like Whole Foods and local vitamin stores were simply too  expensive. Between my CoQ10 supplements and others, it was simply too expensive.

After much research, I decided to buy Swanson Vitamins. The prices are extremely reasonable. In fact, when compared to the aforementioned stores, I would estimate I am paying around 75% to 80% less on average.

I ordered Swanson CoQ10 (which happened to be on sale that month) as well as my other regular supplements. They arrived with in a few days and I’ve so far been extremely satisfied with their products.

My experience with Swanson CoQ10
CoQ10 supplements are unfortunately one of those things we really get screwed over on when we buy them at the store. They know how important of a supplement CoQ10 is, so in turn, they know they can get away with prices that are highway robbery. This is why I finally said enough is enough and looked elsewhere and order Swanson CoQ10.

I’ve been extremely pleased with Swanson Vitamins CoQ10 prices, selection, and quality. The prices are the best part, because they are so much less than what the stores charge. Their product line also contains different strengths, from 30 mg to 200 mg. These lower dosages are harder to find, and if you take CoQ10 three times per day (as many recommend to maintain more constant blood levels) then you probably don’t need a high dosage. This is why I go with 30 mg.

My opinions on Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone
Ubiquinone is the first generation of CoQ10. Meanwhile, Ubiquinol is a newer version which was invented by the Japanese; it reportedly offers increased absorption. So if you want the best, go with Ubiquinol. Swanson CoQ10 has both, but their version of Ubiquinol may not always be the cheapest out there so keep that in mind.

The company behind Vitaline CoQ10
Vitaline is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin… that’s nice to hear because I always prefer to buy from American companies. What really sets them apart from the other dietary supplement companies is that they cater to professionals in the health care industry, instead of the supermarket store shelf. So this is why doctors are known to frequently recommend the Vitaline CoQ10 brand to their patients.

The clinically proven CoQ10?
Something else that sets apart Vitaline is said best by their tagline “The clinically proven CoQ10.” The company works closely with research institutes, universities, and researchers in the development of their products. Therefore, they are able to make a number of product claims that the other guys can’t.

For example, they state that Vitaline CoQ10 is the only CoQ10 supplement that is proven to not be toxic neurologically when it is taken in larger doses (up to 3,000 milligrams daily). They’ve conducted clinical trials to ensure their CoQ10 is safe, effective, and pure. In fact, it’s so pure, that their website says it’s the purest you can buy!

Vitaline CoQ10 Products
Now after you’ve read all that, you’re probably thinking their products probably cost an arm and a leg. Well according to them, affordability is also one of their core values… so their CoQ10 supplements are not extremely expensive. They even say that their pricing is competitive with many name brands you see at vitamin stores.

My Personal Review
Although I haven’t had a chance to buy them yet (I need to use up my existing CoQ10 first) I do plan on checking them out next. What particularly turned me on about Vitaline CoQ10 was that they offered chewable wafers in order to help with absorption – that’s something I haven’t seen offered by anyone else yet. They also have these wafers in an assortment of flavors which is an added bonus. Overall, I give Vitaline CoQ10 two thumbs up in my book. That being said, I think there are several other brands out there which also deliver high quality CoQ10 supplements at fair and reasonable prices.

It’s simple. We all know that supplements in the hard pill form aren’t very absorbable. There have even been studies where an X-ray is taken and you can see the some kinds supplements near the end of the digestive tract and they’re still intact!

Wouldn’t you rather take a liquid form that your body can begin digesting right away? Fortunately there are now liquid vitamins, including highly absorbable liquid CoQ10.

So why a liquid? Just like with many nutrients that our bodies need, there are a wide variety of ways we can replenish them and give it and give ourselves the nourishment we need. For instance, when you eat an apple or any type of fruit you are providing your body with the vitamins found within the fruit. When you take a vitamin supplement you are cutting straight to the chase and taking out the action of eating, but you are still supplying your body with the essential nutrients it requires.

Over the years there have been many variations of different vitamins and supplements. Much of this attention is due to the fact that many people have started to see all of the benefits that can be achieved just by incorporating this simple technique into their everyday lives. Reportedly many see a noticeable difference not only in the way they look, but the way they feel as well.

Liquid CoQ10
Now with science and it’s cutting edge designs scientists have found ways to make taking various supplements even easier to take. One of the supplements that has received quite a bit of noticeable attention is liquid coQ10.

The reason why liquid coQ10 is beneficial to the health is because not only does it provide a purported benefits for cardiovascular health, but it has also been known for it’s ability to help restore depleted CoQ10 levels caused by cholesterol medications (those cause depletion of natural levels of coenzyme Q10).

In addition to these purported health benefits, others have hypothesized that it might be a great treatment for anti aging and helping with the skins ability to prevent the oxidation process of free radicals.

Where To Buy The Liquid Version
With coQ10 benefits and it’s wide array of uses, it’s no wonder why there are so many people using this coenzyme. There are many people who, once they consult with their doctor, go online and purchase it. The reason for this? It has been known to be a lot cheaper online than if it is purchased in a store that sells it. Also, stores rarely carry the liquid formulation of it.

Absorption
Another reason why the liquid coQ10 has become so widely popular in the last couple of years is due to it’s ability to be absorbed into the bloodstream faster and reportedly more effectively. When someone takes the pill form version of the supplement it takes time for it to be broken down and then once it does contents may have passed through the body.

This decreases the supplements ability to be absorbed effectively as it should be. Therefore, by taking it in a liquid form you increase the ability for the enzyme to be effectively absorbed into the bloodstream. Also, because it’s a fat-based substance, you should consume it with fatty foods (like a teaspoon of olive oil) to further bolster absorption.

Now that you know the benefits of taking liquid coQ10, you can speak to your doctor about whether it is ideal for you to incorporate into your daily living as a dietary supplement. Once you find out this information you can decide whether you would like to take advantage of the benefits of this enzyme.

Coenzyme Q10 is a crucial part of metabolic process known as ATP. This process is how over ninety percent of the energy we make is created. Without CoQ10, even the most simple operations of our cells are interrupted. After our natural production peaks at around the age of 21, it’s a downhill slope.

The most is in your heart because that’s where the most blood (and energy) is used, however CoQ10 is used throughout your entire body. Although its benefits are most commonly associated with the heart, it is suspected to play a part in many signs of aging, from problems in your joints to wrinkles on your face.

So now you know why CoQ10 supplements are so highly recommended, but depending on how they’re made, their absorption rate can vary greatly. So make sure you use one which your body can properly absorb.

Disclaimer: I would like to take a moment to make sure you realize that CoQ10 is a dietary supplement only. Therefore it should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any claims about it have not been evaluated by the FDA. Lastly, you should consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplement.

Coenzyme Q10 is produced within the body and helps with fundamental functioning of the cells. It has been said that as we age the amount of this valuable enzyme decreases. There’s a large body of studies which suggest that having a CoQ deficiency possibly makes some conditions worse,  such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and others. It has also been noted that people who take certain prescription drugs may also be susceptible to such a deficiency.

Other Coenzyme Q10 Benefits
One of the current discoveries among Coenzyme Q10 benefits is for people who have taken medication for cholesterol. The reason is that studies show that these medications tend to lower the amount of CoQ10 your body makes. Recent studies have also suggest that CoQ10 may help repair damaged muscles reportedly caused from taking statin cholesterol medication (Am J Cardiol 2007;99:1409-141). This is a problem that has risen in occurrences over the past few years as those medications have become so widely used.

Energy Production & Antioxidant Properties
One of the purported Coenzyme Q10 benefits is that it contributes to the production of energy within your body. Various types of studies have also linked this coenzyme to having a very important role as a potent antioxidant. This valuable antioxidant also helps fight against free radical damage, which puts the body at risk for various diseases.

Using It
There are a variety of different CoQ10 supplements available today, but one should take into consideration the recommended dosage prior to taking this supplement. There are quite a few theories on what the best dosage is, and in all honesty, it is a probably different for everyone depending on their age and health. However many sources claim that taking anywhere from 30 mg to 200 mg per day is a good choice as a dietary supplement.

Buying It
The ideal supplement should not only contain an adequate amount of CoQ10, but also help with absorption. Many products do not have this ability. The reason why this is important is that when taken alone only a fraction will make its way into the blood stream. CoQ10 supplements need to have another agent to help it be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Therefore when shopping for CoQ10 supplements, in order to truly benefit, you will want one formulated in a way which maximizes absorption. Also, remember that because this is a fat soluble nutrient, so it’s best to consume CoQ10 with fatty nutrients.

CoQ10 is a dietary supplement and therefore has not been evaluated by the FDA. However there are other countries which use it for various purposes. For example in Japan, the government granted approval in 1974 for CoQ10 to be marketed as a drug for cardiovascular health. But remember in the U.S. it is approved a dietary supplement and should only be used as such.

CoQ10 Dosage & Warning
As a precaution, people under the age of 18 are not recommended to take any level of coQ10 dosage unless directed by a doctor. For people 19 years of age and older, many sources purport 30-200mg daily as a dietary supplement dosage. Warning: Not all CoQ10 supplements are created equal. It’s important to buy a formulation which is highly absorbable.

There are many benefits purportedly associated with CoQ10 supplements. There have been a vast number of studies and clinical trials surrounding CoQ10 which suggest it may benefit various health conditions. It has also been renowned for its many alleged benefits in relation to anti aging skin care as well.

Why Is CoQ10 Not Promoted More In The US?

With so many exciting studies, one wonders why it hasn’t been a widely popular treatment for these ailments within the United States? Is it because the big drug companies don’t want you to know about it? Or it could just be because it was only discovered a few decades ago? Whatever the case, please understand that CoQ10 dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Claims about CoQ10 have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Here are some of the purported claims about CoQ10:

Heart
As mentioned at the top of this page, CoQ10 purportedly is beneficial for the heart. There have been a vast array of clinical trials which suggest this. For this reason, other countries like Japan actually use CoQ10 as a treatment.

Oral Care
Researchers have discovered that this substance may offer benefits for oral care. Studies suggest this supplement might help with problems like inflammation and deterioration of the gums, as well as decaying of the teeth.

Migraines
There have been three studies done, one of which was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Findings suggested that using a CoQ10 dosage of 150 to 300 mg per day appeared to offer statistically significant results for the subjects.

There are many others studies involving various medical conditions and CoQ10 dosage supplementation which have shown exciting results.

Getting the most from your CoQ10 dosage

Take With Fatty Foods
Since CoQ10 is a fat soluble coenzyme, it is more beneficial to take it when consuming a meal that contains fat. The same applies to fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin E. This allows the solution to be more effectively absorbed into the bloodstream then when taken alone. Some also recommend it be taken at night, which may help the body become better adjusted to it.

Find an adequate CoQ10 dosage
So what is the recommended coQ10 dosage as a dietary supplement? This depends on your current health condition, your age, and the level of dosage that is suitable for you. Speak with your doctor to get their recommendation before you take it. Typically, CoQ10 30 mg to CoQ10 200 mg is reportedly a dosage that is often used. Children (those 18 years and older) typically it’s not recommended for since their body’s already produce enough of it naturally.

Buying it at the right place
There are many places where you can purchase a supplemental CoQ10 dosage, but many people like to order it online because it is much cheaper than retail store. Typical drugstores often charge up to 7x more than what online vitamin stores charge.

One Last Important Note
Remember that not all CoQ10 supplements are created equal. In fact, most of them use a type of it which many studies have shown is not absorbed all that well. The Japanese have patented a highly absorbable form of CoQ10 which is said to have up to eight times the absorption. However, they have only licensed this patent to a few manufacturers. So most of the CoQ10 supplement you find at drugstores still use the inferior type.

Reportedly most users experience no side effects of CoQ10 usage, and for those that do, they are often reported at very high doses and are mild and tolerable. Some of these side effects include digestive issues (such as upset stomach, heartburn, etc), dizziness, and others. You should speak to your doctor to learn about the side effects of CoQ10.

The consensus seems to be that the benefits of CoQ10 supplements far outweigh mild side effects.

Mild to moderate side effects of CoQ10
Reportedly loss of appetite, throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and heartburn are some of the side effects which have been associated with CoQ10 supplements.

Reportedly some of these were associated with very high doses, which is something to keep in mind if you think you may be more susceptible to digestive issues. Personally speaking, I have never heard of anyone experiencing these side effects. But everyone is different so if for some reason you were to experience any of these, you should discontinue use and consult your doctor.

Serious side effects of CoQ10
There appears to be few claims of serious known CoQ10 side effects, but there reportedly are some known or theoretical side effects that could occur.

During the early days of staying CoQ10 it was theorized that it may cause high liver enzymes. Studies since then have not validated this claim but it is still something to consider.

If a person were to experience unexplained symptoms like wheezing, hives, rash, and other allergic reactions, they should definite be addressed by a doctor.

There have been at least four reported cases where CoQ10 was thought to decrease the effectiveness of blood thinners. Therefore if you are on these types of medication (or any medication for that matter) you should definitely consult a doctor before using CoQ10 supplements.

If a user were to experience fainting or possible dizziness, these side effects could be a sign of low blood pressure and a doctor should investigate this immediately.

Of course as with any dietary supplement (or anything for that matter) there may be side effects which are not known at this time.

Benefits vs. Side Effects?
Reportedly CoQ10 appears to be generally safe when used as directed. The side effects of CoQ10 are not common. Considering that the body’s natural production of CoQ10 peaks in the early twenties and declines drastically after that, you should ask your doctor if taking CoQ10 supplements would be right for you.

Coincidentally, we start experiencing the unpleasant signs of aging after our early twenties, which is also around the time our body’s natural production of CoQ10 decelerates. Are the two events related? No one knows for sure, but what we do know is that CoQ10 is found in every cell of the body. It is needed for the basic functioning of cells and also has potent antioxidant properties.

*VERY IMPORTANT WARNING*
Warning: Many Coenzyme Q10 supplements use an older formulation which is shown to not be absorbed very well by your body. There are new formulations of CoQ10 supplements which have been developed which are said to offer much better CoQ10 absorption.

Simply put, CoQ10 is a naturally occurring coenzyme discovered in 1957 that has similar qualities found in many vitamins, along with its own unique properties.

CoQ10 is found in every cell of the body and used to produce their energy.  It is said to be necessary for the basic functioning of cells. In addition, it functions as an antioxidant and protects your body from dangerous free radical damage. There have been a multitude of studies which suggest CoQ10 supplements are extremely beneficial for our health.

Our bodies naturally produce CoQ10, but reportedly production peaks at around the age of 21 and goes downhill after that. For this reason CoQ10 supplements are often recommend for people of all ages.

But what is CoQ10 purportedly beneficial for? Before we discuss that, it’s important to note the information contained on this site is not medical advice. CoQ10 is a dietary supplement only. It should never be used to treat, prevent, cure or diagnose a disease. Statements and benefits about it have not been evaluated by the FDA. Also, I am not making any claims about CoQ10, rather I’m just summarizing information from studies and research published elsewhere.

There have been studies done which suggest CoQ10 might be beneficial for the following:

• Blood Pressure
• Heart Failure
• Heart Attack Recovery
• Diabetes
• Migraines
• Gum Disease
• Parkinson’s

In Japan, CoQ10 has been approved since 1974 for use in heart failure. However it’s important to remember that further studies are needed to conclusively prove the above claims. Remember CoQ10 should never be used for any purpose other than as a dietary supplement (and you should ask your doctor before even using it as a dietary supplement).

Now that you know the answer to what is CoQ10, you may want to research where it is sold and how much it costs. Well it’s sold at most drugstores but the markup is usually 300% to 700% from my experience. I choose to buy mine online because the prices are a small fraction of what you would pay at the store.