What Happens to Your Blood Sugar When You Take CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10, often called CoQ10, is a vitamin-like antioxidant that the body produces naturally, but it is also found in some foods and widely available as a supplement marketed primarily for heart health and energy support. It has also been promoted online for blood sugar control, but experts said there is not enough evidence showing that taking CoQ10 reliably improves glucose levels.

Overall, CoQ10 is not something that clinicians routinely suggest for blood sugar management, according to Cecilia Low Wang, MD, an endocrinologist at UCHealth in Aurora, Colorado. It’s “not something we get too hung up on to feel confident enough to recommend it to our patients,” she said.

Some studies suggest that CoQ10 supplementation can modestly reduce fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, and A1C (a measure of average blood sugar level) after eight to 10 weeks of daily use, especially in people with prediabetes and diabetes, said Megan Wroe, MS, RD, CNE, CLEC, wellness manager and registered dietitian at Providence St. Jude Medical Center.

But these results come with important caveats. Many studies are short, meaning “long-term data isn’t really available,” Wroe said. And because trials often don’t take into account factors like diet, physical activity, or the presence of multiple chronic diseases, it’s difficult to determine whether CoQ10 is truly responsible for the positive results.

The body of evidence is also limited by the small size of the studies, Low Wang noted. Additionally, some articles were retracted or received an “expression of concern” about the integrity of the research, she said.

Again, there is no strong evidence linking CoQ10 to significant blood sugar support. But if it does indeed have an effect, what could explain it?

“Many potential beneficial mechanisms have been proposed, ranging from improving insulin signaling to helping pancreatic beta cells function,” said Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, FACE, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health.

Wroe added that COQ10’s anti-inflammatory properties, especially when combined with lifestyle measures like healthy eating and exercise, could play a role in blood sugar control. Some researchers also hypothesize that by protecting against mitochondrial damage, CoQ10 may help cells process glucose more efficiently.

As with any supplement, it’s best to talk with your doctor before trying CoQ10. Although generally considered safe, CoQ10 may interfere with certain medications and therapies, including cancer therapies, Low Wang said.

When CoQ10 is used to manage blood sugar, typical doses range from 100 to 200 milligrams per day, Pessah-Pollack said. Any potential benefit could be more pronounced in people with type 2 diabetes, she added.

However, CoQ10 does not replace healthy lifestyle strategies. “We know that lifestyle changes, such as a heart-healthy diet, are the first-line treatment for managing type 2 diabetes, based on excellent data,” Pessah-Pollack said. “Although CoQ10 may have some benefits on blood sugar levels, its effects are significantly smaller and inconsistent compared to those achieved by diabetes medications and lifestyle interventions such as diet changes, increased activity, and weight loss.”