Ubiquinone vs Ubiquinol: Key Differences & Benefits

Ubiquinone is a form of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance that your body makes naturally. It plays a key role in helping your cells produce energy, especially in organs that need a lot of it like your heart, brain, and muscles. Think of it as an assistant that helps to keep your body’s energy engines running smoothly.

Inside your cells, ubiquinone helps convert the food you eat into usable energy. It also acts as an antioxidant, which means it helps protect your cells from damage caused by everyday stress, aging, or environmental factors.

As we get older, or if we take certain medications like statins, our natural levels of CoQ10 can drop. That’s where supplements come in. Ubiquinone is the original, oxidized form of CoQ10 found in many supplements. Once in the body, it gets converted into its active form, ubiquinol, which is easier for your cells to use.

Ubiquinone is typically sourced through fermentation, often using yeast or bacteria, which makes it suitable for many dietary preferences, including vegans.

Key benefits include:

• Supports energy production at the cellular level

• Promotes heart health, especially in people with cardiovascular disease

• Acts as an antioxidant, helping reduce oxidative stress

• May improve symptoms of fatigue in some individuals, as this research found

Ubiquinol is the active, “reduced” form of Coenzyme Q10. It’s the form your body actually uses in cells, helping turn food into energy and acting as a powerful antioxidant to protect cells.

Within your cells—especially in energy-intensive organs like your heart and muscles—ubiquinol helps create ATP, the molecule that fuels almost all body functions (about 95% of your energy production). It also neutralizes damaging free radicals, which are unstable molecules generated during energy production that can harm cells and DNA.

Unlike ubiquinone, ubiquinol is better absorbed, especially as we age and our bodies convert CoQ10 less efficiently.

Key benefits include: 

• Boosting cellular energy & performance: A six-week study in young athletes using 300 mg/day of ubiquinol led to a statistically significant increase in peak power output versus placebo.

• Reducing fatigue and improving relaxation/cognitive function: In people with chronic fatigue, this research found that 150 mg/day of ubiquinol improved autonomic function, mood and relaxation within about 4 weeks, correlating with higher blood ubiquinol levels.

• Cardiovascular support & antioxidant protection: Ubiquinol provides strong antioxidant coverage—especially for the heart and other high‑energy organs. It helps protect vessel walls and reduce oxidative stress.

• Supports heart health in aging or statin users: Statin medications can lower natural CoQ10 levels; ubiquinol supplementation can help restore them and support normal heart function and healthy blood pressure ranges.

Form: Ubiquinone is the oxidized form of CoQ10, while ubiquinol is the reduced, active form that the body can use directly.

Bioavailability: Ubiquinol has higher bioavailability than ubiquinone, meaning it is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body.

Stability: Ubiquinone is more stable in supplement form, whereas ubiquinol is less stable and typically requires special packaging to maintain its potency.

Price: Ubiquinone is generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective option for those on a budget. Ubiquinol tends to be more expensive due to its enhanced absorption and formulation needs.

Absorption: Ubiquinone must first be converted by the body into ubiquinol before it can be used, while ubiquinol is already in the active form and is more easily absorbed—especially in individuals with reduced conversion capacity.

Age Consideration: Ubiquinone is suitable for younger adults who can efficiently convert it into the active form. Ubiquinol is often the better option for older adults or those whose bodies may not convert CoQ10 as effectively.

Best For: Ubiquinone is best for general wellness and those seeking a budget-friendly supplement. Ubiquinol is ideal for people focused on heart health, managing fatigue, taking statins, or experiencing age-related declines in CoQ10 levels.

While there are key differences between ubiquinone and ubiquinol, they also share several important similarities:

• Both are forms of CoQ10 : Ubiquinone and ubiquinol are simply two different forms of the same nutrient—Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)—which your body naturally produces.
  
  

• Support cellular energy production : Both play a critical role in helping your cells produce energy, especially in high-energy organs like the heart, brain, and muscles.
  
  

• Act as antioxidants : Both forms help protect cells from oxidative stress by neutralizing harmful free radicals, which can contribute to aging and disease.
  
  

• Used by the body interchangeably : The body can convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol and vice versa, depending on what's needed.
  
  

• May support heart and brain health : Supplementing with either form of CoQ10 has been linked to benefits for cardiovascular function, cognitive performance, and physical stamina.
  
  

• Generally safe and well-tolerated : Both ubiquinone and ubiquinol have strong safety profiles and are widely used in dietary supplements.

Both ubiquinone and ubiquinol are considered safe for most people when taken as directed. They’re naturally found in the body and widely used in supplement form, with few serious side effects reported. However, as with any supplement, there are some things to be aware of.

Potential Side Effects (for both forms)

Side effects are generally mild and uncommon, but may include:

• Upset stomach or nausea

• Diarrhea

• Headache

• Insomnia (rare)
  
  

These effects often improve when the supplement is taken with food or at a lower dose.

Interactions and Precautions

• Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): CoQ10 may reduce the effectiveness of these medications, potentially increasing the risk of clotting. If you’re on a blood thinner, talk to your doctor before starting.

• Blood pressure medications: CoQ10 may slightly lower blood pressure, which could enhance the effects of antihypertensive drugs. Monitor your blood pressure if you’re taking both.

• Chemotherapy drugs: Some cancer medications may interact with CoQ10, especially those that rely on oxidative stress to work effectively.
  
  

Who Should Be Cautious

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: There’s limited research, so check with a healthcare provider first.

• People with chronic health conditions or on multiple medications: Always consult a healthcare professional before adding a new supplement.

What customers are saying about Momentous Ubiquinol 

“I heard about the application of ubiquinol for issues related to red blood cell health. My count is low so I decided to try it and I can definitely tell the difference. I don’t feel as dizzy and this product has helped my restless leg syndrome too - it’s been THE thing to help the most! Highly recommend.”

-Stephanie M. 

“I've been taking Ubiquinol and the difference has been noticeable. As someone in his 50s with focus on heart health and energy support, I wanted something more effective than standard CoQ10. Ubiquinol delivered!’

-Russell P.

Can you take ubiquinone and ubiquinol together? 

You can take ubiquinone and ubiquinol together. Since both are forms of CoQ10 and your body can convert between them as needed, combining them isn’t harmful. However, it’s usually more practical to choose one based on your needs—ubiquinone for general wellness and cost-effectiveness, or ubiquinol for better absorption, especially if you’re older or dealing with fatigue or cardiovascular concerns.

Does your body convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol? 

Your body does convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol. In fact, this is a natural process—ubiquinone (the oxidized form of CoQ10) is transformed into ubiquinol (the active form) inside your cells, depending on what your body needs. That said, this conversion becomes less efficient with age or certain health conditions, which is why some people benefit more from taking ubiquinol directly.

Which form is better for heart health? 

When it comes to heart health, ubiquinol may be the better choice. Because it’s the active form of CoQ10 and is more readily absorbed—especially in older adults or those with heart conditions—it’s often recommended to support cardiovascular function. That said, both forms have been shown to support heart health, and the best choice depends on your age, health status, and how well your body converts CoQ10.