Thorne Research Ubiquinol Review

Thorne Ubiquinol is a dietary supplement. Each softgel contains 100 mg of Kaneka® Ubiquinol, the reduced, "active" form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Thorne's product page lists the other ingredients as medium-chain triglycerides, beeswax, sunflower lecithin, and a gelatin, glycerin, water and annatto softgel shell. The company lists it as gluten-, dairy- and soy-free, and the label carries NSF Contents Certified status. The suggested use is one softgel once or twice daily, or as directed by a health-care practitioner. Thorne positions it for people who want a highly bioavailable, activated CoQ10 for healthy aging, cellular energy, cardiovascular health, antioxidant status and fertility. CoQ10 is a lipid-soluble, vitamin-like compound made in the body and present in nearly every cell. It is most concentrated in high-energy organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and brain. It works in two main ways. 1. **Energy production.** CoQ10 sits in the inner mitochondrial membrane. There it shuttles electrons from Complexes I and II to Complex III of the electron transport chain. This electron flow drives the proton gradient that powers ATP synthase, so CoQ10 is directly involved in producing cellular energy. 2. **Antioxidant protection.** In its reduced ubiquinol form, CoQ10 donates electrons to neutralize free radicals. It protects membrane lipids, lipoproteins and DNA from oxidative damage. It also helps regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. Once it gives up electrons it becomes ubiquinone, the oxidized form. The body continually recycles ubiquinone back to ubiquinol using enzymes. The case for supplementing with ubiquinol is that the body's own CoQ10 production and its conversion efficiency decline with age. A med medications can also lower CoQ10 levels. Taking ubiquinol supplies the already-reduced form, which may bypass some of that conversion step. Ubiquinol is chemically unstable and oxidizes easily. Kaneka's fermentation-derived, stabilized ubiquinol is meant to address this. Thorne also suspends it in an oil-based fill inside a softgel, because CoQ10 is fat-soluble and absorbs best when dissolved in lipids and taken with a meal that contains fat. Be aware that Thorne also sells a separate "CoQ10" product containing ubiquinone, and some retailers mix up the two listings. Some practitioners argue that ubiquinone is equally well absorbed. Evidence that ubiquinol is superior for healthy adults is mixed, and the case is strongest for older adults and people with impaired conversion. CoQ10 can interact with meds such as a med and with blood-pressure and meds. People on these drugs should consult a clinician first.