How Long Does CoQ10 Stay in Your System?

It may take a couple of weeks of taking CoQ10 daily before you feel the beneficial effects of the enzyme. And you might wonder how long does it stay in your body? The answer to this question depends on several factors.

You need to consider the daily dose, your age and metabolism, and the general state of your health. In addition, there is more than one form of CoQ10 which your body might absorb in different ways. There are even some suggestions that your body pushes out about 50% of CoQ10 before it reaches the bloodstream.

To ensure CoQ10 stays in your system long enough to be absorbed, you need to get a better understanding of the enzyme itself.

What Is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is an enzyme with antioxidant properties which your body produces via a special liver pathway. A healthy person should have enough levels of CoQ10 in their system.

This enzyme plays a vital role in energy production as well as cellular maintenance and growth. However, the amount of CoQ10 people are able to produce is not constant throughout their lives. CoQ10 production drops as you age and there are some health conditions that can affect it as well. This is why you may consider taking the supplements.

The primary function of CoQ10 is to aid the creation of adenosine triphosphate which is responsible for generating energy. In addition, it also works as a potent antioxidant to protect your cells from the damaging free radicals. On top of that, it can prevent oxidized lipids from accumulating in your blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

When taking CoQ10 supplements, these beneficial effects are achieved only if the CoQ10 stays in your body long enough to be properly absorbed into the bloodstream. As hinted in the introduction, there are two forms of CoQ10 supplements and several delivery systems.

Forms of CoQ10 Supplements

You can get COQ10 as an over-the-counter supplement in form of softgel capsules or tablets. This enzyme can also be administered via IV, but only by qualified medical professionals. IV delivers the best absorption since it goes directly into your bloodstream.

As for the available supplements, softgel capsules are generally considered a better option since your body absorbs them more efficiently. These capsules usually contain up to 40 times more CoQ10 than one serving of beef or pork heart and liver – meats that have the highest CoQ10 content.

The dose which is usually prescribed ranges between 30 and 100 mg a day. However, people with some heart conditions and athletes can go up to 300 mg daily. This, of course, depends on individual metabolic processes and needs.

On the other hand, it’s worth noting that CoQ10 usually stays in your blood for quite some time so, you might not need to divide the daily dose and take it with different meals; but there are sources which suggest otherwise. Then again, the intake frequency is best prescribed by your physician.

How to Ensure CoQ10 Stays in Your System Long Enough

As previously stated, once CoQ10 reaches your bloodstream, it usually stays there. But ensuring the proper absorption is a completely different ballgame. Things are even worse with people who have troubles with their digestive system.

On the other hand, there is a silver lining. The following tips should help you get the best CoQ10 absorption and prevent flushing half the supplements down the drain.

Always eat some food

Taking CoQ10 on an empty stomach is a major no-no. A small snack is enough but it would be best to take the supplement with or right after a meal.

Use it with fish oil

Fish oil is a great source of healthy fats that aid in metabolizing CoQ10. They ensure quick absorption and add to the beneficial properties of the enzyme. What’s more, there are CoQ10 supplements that include fish oil in the ingredients for the expressed purpose of boosting absorption rate.

Spread the dose throughout the day

This is where some expert opinions differ. The idea behind it is that the enzyme won’t last long in your body if you take a single dose. The smaller doses should help main optimal levels of CoQ10 in your bloodstream. This method is generally recommended for those who use CoQ10 to stay reinvigorated.

To Wrap Up

The bottom line is that CoQ10 usually stays in your system long enough for the beneficial effects to kick in. But you need to be patient since this is not a supplement that can deliver immediate results.