Ubiquinol 100mg | 60 Softgels | NOW Foods

Ubiquinol 100mg by NOW Foods

You may already know coenzyme Q10, the substance you often see in jars labeled 'Q10'. Ubiquinol is a specific form of it, and that is exactly what is in this softgel from NOW Foods: 100mg Kaneka Ubiquinol per softgel, dissolved in MCT oil. One softgel per day with a meal, 60 pieces in the jar. A straightforward choice for those looking for the reduced form of Q10.

Ubiquinol and ubiquinone, two sides of the same substance

Coenzyme Q10 exists in two forms in your body. Ubiquinone is the oxidized form, ubiquinol the reduced form. The difference lies in electrons: ubiquinol has two extra, and it can give them away. Then it becomes ubiquinone, which can then take in electrons again. Your body therefore constantly switches between these two states, a bit like a rechargeable battery that runs out and gets full again. In your blood, Q10 exists largely as ubiquinol. Many people wonder what exactly the difference is between Q10 and ubiquinol. In short: ubiquinol is Q10, but in the form your body largely uses it itself.

Where coenzyme Q10 is found

Every cell in your body has mitochondria, small structures that make energy in the form of ATP from nutrients. Coenzyme Q10 is found in those mitochondria, including in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Your body produces Q10 itself, and you get a small amount from food such as meat, fatty fish, and nuts. What many people do not know: from food you only get a few milligrams per day on average. A softgel of 100mg is therefore many times that.

Kaneka Ubiquinol in MCT oil

Kaneka is the Japanese manufacturer that first brought a stable form of ubiquinol to the market. That is not self-evident: ubiquinol reacts quickly with oxygen and then changes back into ubiquinone. That is why it is sealed off from air in this softgel, dissolved in MCT oil. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, fats from coconut or palm kernel oil that your body processes relatively quickly. Because Q10 is fat-soluble, your body absorbs it better in combination with fat. Therefore, take the softgel with a meal that contains some fat, such as a breakfast with an egg or yogurt, or your dinner. Good to know: the softgel contains beef gelatin and beeswax and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

One last practical point: store the jar in a cool, dry place after opening and close the lid tightly. This way the softgels will stay in good condition until the last one. Choose a fixed time, for example with dinner, then the softgel will automatically become part of your routine. NOW Foods makes this product in a GMP-certified facility, an international standard for careful production and control.

This 100mg variant is a logical choice if you want to start with ubiquinol. Those who have been using Q10 for a while and are looking for a higher dose will find the same formula also as a 200mg softgel.