Coenzyme Q10 Benefits for PCOS: Fertility, Energy, and More

According to recent studies, coenzyme Q10 may offer several benefits to women with PCOS, including fertility.

There are some supplements that already enjoy a “name” in managing the symptoms of polycystic ovaries (PCOS), including inositol, vitamin D, magnesium or fish oil. However, the studies show the coenzyme Q10 and the many benefits that women who face this condition can get.

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What is coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance found naturally in the body that plays a vital role in making cellular energy. It has antioxidant properties, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, neutralizing them.

However, the human body has the ability to produce a sufficient amount of coenzyme Q10 only up to the age of 30. After this threshold, the production of coenzyme Q10 gradually decreases. In addition, in the case of people suffering from vitamin deficiencies, the production of coenzyme Q10 can be, again, lower.

The main benefits are on the body

Coenzyme Q10 provides important benefits to the body, especially in the case of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome. These include:

• It helps to reduce inflammation in the body
• Increased energy levels
• Decreased insulin
• Decreased testosterone
• Migraine relief
• Reduces cholesterol
• Improving the quality of eggs

Recent studies on effectiveness

Recent research shows how CoQ10 may provide several benefits for women with PCOS. First, coenzyme Q10 has been associated with improved fertility in women with PCOS. In addition, studies show the ability of the coenzyme to reduce cholesterol levels, inflammation, testosterone and insulin.

And a recent clinical study divided the volunteers with PCOS into two groups: women who took 100 mg/day of CoQ10 for 12 weeks, women who received “empty” pills, respectively, for the placebo effect. Women who received COQ10 had improvements in mood (depression and anxiety), inflammation, total testosterone, DHEAS and hirsutism compared to the placebo group.

another A clinical study showed how coenzyme Q10 had a beneficial effect on insulin levels, as well as HOMA-IR and total testosterone levels in women with PCOS.

CoQ10 and fertility in women with polycystic ovaries

A study published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online evaluation of the effect of the combination of coenzyme Q10 and clomiphene citrate, to stimulate ovulation in women with PCOS who are resistant to clomiphene citrate. A total of 101 women with PCOS participated in the study, some of whom received either COQ10 and clomiphene citrate together, or clomiphene citrate alone.

Those who supplemented with CoQ10 showed a greater number of follicles and a greater thickness of the endometrium. Ovulation occurred in 65.9% in the CoQ10 group, compared to only 15.5% in the control group. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the CoQ10 group (37.3%) compared to the control group (6.0%).

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The main sources

There are many healthy foods from which you can get coenzyme Q10. In addition, you can ask your doctor about the recommendation of certain supplements.

The main food sources are represented by:

• vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach
• fruit: oranges, strawberries
• Legumes: lentils, soybeans, peanuts
• meat: chicken breast, beef muscle, liver, heart, kidney, pork muscle
• fish: sardines, mackerel, trout

However, food processing and cooking can affect coenzyme Q10 levels. For example, it can be “destroyed” if you freeze food for a long time or cook at a high temperature. Therefore, it is better to choose gentler cooking methods, such as steamed food.

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