The Science Behind CoQ10 and Fertility

Although taking nutritional supplements cannot guarantee conception in a person with infertility, certain supplements have been found to improve egg and sperm quality, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle (i.e., diet, exercise, and stress reduction). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in particular has been found in several studies to support reproductive health.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a molecule that exists naturally in the human body; it helps convert food into cellular energy and serves as an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help fight against free radicals (i.e., unstable molecules that can build up in cells and disrupt DNA, causing damage or death to the cell). CoQ10 is abundant in cells with high energy requirements, such as sperm and egg cells. CoQ10 is thought to help support healthy egg and sperm production. For example,  women who received pre-treatment of CoQ10 supplements for 60 days or longer resulted in improved egg health and higher fertilization rates. Because CoQ10 levels decline with age, it is often recommended as a dietary supplement for people with infertility.