From the Guidelines
There is no strong evidence to support the use of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for preventing falls in the general population. While CoQ10 is an antioxidant that plays a role in cellular energy production and some studies suggest it may improve muscle function, there is insufficient clinical evidence specifically linking CoQ10 supplementation to fall prevention 1. CoQ10 levels naturally decline with age and certain medications like statins can deplete it, which theoretically could affect muscle strength and balance. If you're considering CoQ10 for fall prevention, typical supplementation ranges from 100-200 mg daily, taken with food to improve absorption. However, a more evidence-based approach to preventing falls would include:
- Regular exercise focusing on strength and balance training
- Proper vision correction
- Home safety modifications
- Medication review
- Adequate vitamin D intake, as recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force 1 CoQ10 might be considered as a complementary approach for those with documented deficiency or those taking medications known to deplete CoQ10, but it should not replace established fall prevention strategies. The most recent and highest quality study from 2018 1 does not mention CoQ10 as a recommended intervention for fall prevention, highlighting the importance of evidence-based practices in preventing falls.
From the Research
Coenzyme Q10 and Falls Prevention
- There is limited research on the benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in preventing falls, particularly in older adults 2.
- A scoping review identified 4 studies that assessed the effects of exogenous CoQ10 on outcomes relating to sarcopenia, frailty, and falls, showing statistically significant improvements in physical robustness related outcomes, but with several limitations preventing conclusive recommendations 2.
- The current evidence does not provide a clear answer to whether CoQ10 helps prevent falls, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in this area.
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation and Physical Robustness
- CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to have antioxidant effects and improve physical robustness related outcomes, such as sarcopenia and frailty 2.
- A systematic review of 13 studies found that CoQ10 supplementation had properties related to bioenergetic and antioxidant activity, making it suitable as a dietary supplement to improve cellular bioenergetics and inhibit certain age-related pathologies 3.
- However, the evidence is not strong enough to support the use of CoQ10 supplementation for falls prevention, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects.
Forms of Coenzyme Q10
- There are two forms of CoQ10: ubiquinone (oxidized form) and ubiquinol (reduced form) 4, 5.
- Ubiquinol has been shown to have higher bioavailability than ubiquinone and may be more effective in alleviating tissue damage and fatigue 6.
- However, the differences in medical application and efficacy of CoQ10 and CoQH2 supplementation are not fully understood, and more research is needed to determine the most effective form of CoQ10 for falls prevention 5.