RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE TEST RESULTS ONLY TELL US WHETHER OR NOT THE PRODUCT CONTAINS THE AMOUNT OF COQ10 CLAIMED ON THE LABEL. IT DOES NOT MEASURE QUALITY, ABSORPTION OR WHETHER THE COQ10 IS NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC. RETURN TO HOME PAGE.

Product Review: Coenzyme Q10 —
Initial Posting: 1/13/04
What It Is:
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant compound and is used for energy production within cells. It's manufactured in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas. The body normally produces sufficient CoQ10, although some medications such as statins may interfere with this process and CoQ10 levels in the body may decline with age and heart disease. Only small amounts of CoQ10 are available from food, mainly beef and chicken. Consequently, dietary supplements are the most common way to increase the body's CoQ10 levels.

What It Does:
Taken orally, coenzyme Q10 may help treat congestive heart failure, a disease in which the heart doesn't adequately maintain circulation. CoQ10's role in cell energy production may be the mechanism by which it assists the heart. CoQ10 may help delay the progression of Parkinson's disease and it may also be useful in treating diseases including muscular dystrophy, AIDS, hypertension, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. There is recent evidence that it may increase sperm motility. Although sometimes touted for enhancing athletic performance, this hasn't been well demonstrated.

Quality Concerns and What CL Tested for:
No government agency is responsible for routinely testing CoQ10 supplements or other dietary supplements for their contents or quality. Research by ConsumerLab.com in 2000 found that not all CoQ10 supplements contained their claimed amounts. Because products on the market are constantly changing, ConsumerLab.com recently evaluated more CoQ10 products to determine whether they contained the amounts of CoQ10 stated on their labels. All non-chewable tablets also were tested to be sure that they would properly disintegrate.

What CL Found:
Three CoQ10 supplements selected for testing did not contain their claimed amount of ingredient. There was no detectable CoQ10 in one product, another had only 71% of its claimed amount, and a third exceeded its claimed amount by 75%. Such variations are of medical concern since CoQ10 is used in treating serious conditions, such as congestive heart failure. All caplet and tablet products were able to disintegrate properly.

Test Results by Product:
Listed alphabetically below are the products that were tested and a summary of the results.

RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB.COM TESTING OF CoQ10 SUPPLEMENTS
Product Name (Claimed Amount per Unit and Recommended Daily Dose)	Company (Dist. = Distributor Mfd. = Manufacturer)	Claimed Amount of CoQ10 Per Labeled Daily Serving	Test Results:
	Company (Dist. = Distributor Mfd. = Manufacturer)	Claimed Amount of CoQ10 Per Labeled Daily Serving	OVERALL RESULTS: APPROVED (Passed) or NOT APPROVED (Failed)	Contained Claimed Amount of CoQ10
Amni® Chewable Co-Enzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per chewable tablet, 1 per day)	Mfd. for Advanced Medical Nutrition, Inc.	100 mg	APPROVED
BioSan™ Organic CoQ10 Ubiquinone (60 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1-2 per day)	Dist. by Nature's Distributors	60-120 mg	NOT APPROVED	No detectable CoQ10
Bronson™ Co-Enzyme Q10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Dist. by Bronson Laboratories	30 mg	APPROVED
Country® Life Hypoallergenic Co-Q10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Dist. by Country Life	30 mg	APPROVED
CVS® Pharmacy 100 mg Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Dist. by CVS Pharmacy, Inc.	100 mg	APPROVED
Enhanced Life Sciences Co Q-10 (150 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Dist. by Enhanced Life Sciences	150 mg	APPROVED
Enzymatic Therapy Natural Medicines® Vitaline® Chewable CoQ10 100 mg Dietary Supplement Chocolate Flavored (100 mg CoQ10 per chewable tablet, 1-2 per day)*	Dist. by Enzymatic Therapy, Inc.	100-200 mg	APPROVED
Gary Null's Super Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per tablet, 1-2 per day)	Dist. by Gary Null & Associates	100-200 mg	APPROVED
Innovative Natural Products Liquid CoQ10 10 mg CoQ10 per 1mL, 5mL per day)	Dist. by Innovative Natural Products	50 mg	APPROVED
Nature Made CoQ10 (100 mg CoQ10 per sofgel, 1 per day*	Dist. by Nature Made Nutritional Products	100 mg	APPROVED
Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 3 per day)*	Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc.	90 mg	APPROVED
Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 50 mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2-3 per day)*	Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc.	100-150 mg	APPROVED
Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc.	75 mg	APPROVED
New Chapter® Bio-Grown CoQ10™ (22 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Dist. by New Chapter, Inc.	22 mg	NOT APPROVED	Only 71% of claimed CoQ10
Nutrilite® Coenzyme Q10 Complex Dietary Supplement (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1-3 per day)*	Dist. by Access Business Group International LLC	30-90 mg	APPROVED
Olay™ Vitamins Ultra coQ10 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Dist. by Pharmavite LLC	150 mg	APPROVED
Origin® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10, 100 mg (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Dist. by Target Corporation	100 mg	APPROVED
Pro Health™ Coenzyme Q10 (25 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 2 per day)	Dist. by Pro Health, Inc.	50 mg	NOT APPROVED	175% of claimed CoQ10
Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 120 mg (120 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.	120 mg	APPROVED
Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 200 mg (200 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.	200 mg	APPROVED
Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.	75 mg	APPROVED
Shaklee® Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol & More, CoQHeart™ Dietary Supplement (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)	Dist. by Shaklee Corporation	30 mg	APPROVED
Spring Valley® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10, 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc.	150 mg	APPROVED
Sundown® Benefits CoQ-10, 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2 per day)*	Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc.	150 mg	APPROVED
Sundown® CoQ-10 100mg (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc.	100 mg	APPROVED
Sundown® CoQ-10 50mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1-3 per day)*	Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc.	50-150 mg	APPROVED
Synergy Plus™ Super Strength Natural Coenzyme Q-10 60 mg (60 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Mfd. by Synergy Plus	60 mg	APPROVED
Tree of Life CoQ10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day)	Dist. by Tree of Life	30 mg	APPROVED
Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 200 mg (200 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)*	Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc.	200 mg	APPROVED
Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 3 per day)*	Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc.	90 mg	APPROVED
Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 50 mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2-3 per day)*	Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc.	100-150 mg	APPROVED
Whole Health Premium Supplements Pure Crystalline Pharmaceutical Grade CoEnzyme Q10 Extra Strength Dietary Supplement 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1-2 per day)	Dist. by Whole Health Products	150-300 mg I	APPROVED
*Tested through CL's Voluntary Certification Program prior to, at time of, or after initial posting of this Product Review.
Unless otherwise noted, information about the products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information at any time. So be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be of the same quality as what was tested. The information contained in this report is based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot assure the accuracy of information provided to it by third parties. Liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this report is hereby disclaimed.

ConsumerTips™ for Buying and Using:
CoQ10 recommended daily dosages vary widely, resulting in products on the market that claim to contain anywhere from 10 to 200 mg per pill of the substance. When comparing product costs, consider the dosage and number of pills per bottle.

Using CoQ10 to treat congestive heart failure should be considered an adjunct to, not a replacement for, other medications; a daily dose of 100 to 200 mg of CoQ10 is generally used, with the dose depending on the individual's weight. Be aware that improvement in symptoms may take more than one month. Don't suddenly stop taking CoQ10, because symptoms may worsen. Tapering off the supplement is recommended.

For other diseases, the following daily doses have been used, although optimal dosage levels have not been determined: For Parkinson's disease 300 to 1,200 mg; for hypertension 120 mg; for HIV/AIDS 200 mg; for muscular dystrophy 100 mg; for mitochondrial encephalomyopathies 150 to 160 mg and sometimes higher; for increasing sperm motility 200 mg.

Divided dosing (taking two or three equally divided smaller doses instead of one large dose a day) is recommended when the total daily dose exceeds 100 mg.

CoQ10, especially the dry dosage form (tablet or capsule), is best absorbed when fats or oils are present in the gastrointestinal tract, so take the supplement with meals. A softgel isn't considered a dry form.

Cautions and Concerns:
CoQ10 is generally safe when taken in appropriate amounts, but be aware that CoQ10's safety has not been evaluated for children and pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Individuals with diabetes and those taking blood thinners are strongly advised to consult a physician before taking this supplement, because of potential drug interactions.

Certain medications, including some cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics may decrease the body's natural production of CoQ10; therefore, the CoQ10 dosage for individuals taking any of these drugs should possibly be higher than generally recommended.

More information about the uses and clinical studies with CoQ10 is found in an excellent review article found at in the Natural Products Encyclopedia on the ConsumerLab.com website.

To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped CL Seal of Approved Quality to manufacturers for use on labels of products that have passed its testing. ConsumerLab.com will periodically re-evaluate these products to ensure their compliance with ConsumerLab.com's standards.

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product nor it is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease.

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