Ubiquinol Gold

General Questions about Ubiquinol

What is ubiquinol?

There are two main forms of the fat-soluble nutrient called coenzyme Q10 in the human body—ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the more bioavailable form of CoQ10 and, for this reason, is a much more powerful antioxidant than ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is found throughout the body and supports overall health. The two primary benefits of ubiquinol are that it supports cellular energy production in the mitochondria (ATP synthesis) and provides antioxidant defense.

What health benefits does ubiquinol provide?

Ubiquinol is unique in that it is one of the only fat-soluble antioxidants that the human body is able to make on its own. This characteristic allows ubiquinol to function as an antioxidant throughout the entire human body including the mitochondria, cell membranes, and lipoproteins (cholesterol). In addition to playing a vital role in the creation of cellular energy (adenosine triphosphate or ATP), ubiquinol’s unique antioxidant properties also support healthy aging by guarding against excess free radical formation or oxidative stress. Overall, ubiquinol supports cellular energy, cardiovascular function, and healthy aging*.

Which is better—ubiquinone CoQ10 or ubiquinol CoQ10?

The body produces and uses CoQ10 in the CoQ10 form (ubiquinone), but also converts it to Ubiquinol on an as-needed basis. The Ubiquinol form is more bioavailable because it is the reduced form of CoQ10 and the body does not have to further break it down prior to use. In young and healthy individuals, the body is thought to convert CoQ10 efficiently to Ubiquinol as needed, so supplementing with CoQ10 is sufficient to maintain energy levels and healthy heart function. 

However, for individuals who have higher energy needs (e.g. athletes) and/or those whose body's ability to convert CoQ10 to Ubiquinol is compromised due to age, poor health, or other lifestyle factors, Ubiquinol is considered to be a more reliable, quicker, and efficient way to quickly restore CoQ10 levels in the body. As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult with a licensed healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what form of CoQ10, if any, is most appropriate for your individual needs.

What are the risk factors for a CoQ10 deficiency?

CoQ10 deficiency is considered to be rare in healthy individuals. However, CoQ10 production in the body is known to decline with age and, for this reason, supplementation is sometimes recommended in older individuals to support cellular energy, heart function, and healthy aging. 

Mitochondrial disorders caused by specific gene mutations can also impact CoQ10 synthesis in the body. Some cholesterol lowering drugs may potentially lower CoQ10 levels by inhibiting an enzyme (HMG-coenzyme A reductase) that supports both cholesterol and CoQ10 synthesis. Symptoms that may result from a deficiency in CoQ10 include lethargy, muscle cramps/discomfort, and compromised aerobic function in muscles. If concerned that you may be at risk for a CoQ10 deficiency, please work with a healthcare professional to determine what dietary or supplemental changes/additions may be necessary to support your health goals.

Are there any food sources of ubiquinol?

Ubiquinol can be found in foods such as chicken, oily fish, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, avocados, and olive oil. However, it is important to note that the amount of ubiquinol these foods contain is quite small and cooking or processing of food may degrade ubiquinol, making it less absorbable or effective. 

What are some factors to consider when choosing a ubiquinol supplement?

Depending on your reason(s) for supplementing with ubiquinol and your personal preferences, it may be helpful to consider one or more of the following factors so you can be assured you are making the purchasing decision that is right for you—

• Is it made with a clinically proven form of ubiquinol (e.g. Kaneka®)?
• Is the amount of ubiquinol provided per serving supported by science?
• Is it third-party tested for identity, potency & purity?
• Is a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis available?
• Does it contain GMOs?
• Does it include chemical additives or preservatives?

Can ubiquinol supplements be taken with OTC or prescription medications?

Ubiquinol may interfere with oral anticoagulants or blood thinning medications. If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication or planning a medical procedure, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions. 

Is there an established upper toxicity limit for ubiquinol?

Currently, there is no established upper toxicity limit established since significant adverse effects from oral CoQ10 supplementation have not been reported, even when taken in high amounts. CoQ10 is generally considered to be a safe nutrient. However, gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal discomfort have been experienced in those taking high amounts of CoQ10. For this reason, it is often recommended to take CoQ10 in divided doses (e.g. 100 milligrams per dose) to minimize the risk of digestive upset. (Source) As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Still have questions?

• For general information about CoQ10, check out the resources below—
• Coenzyme Q10 — Linus Pauling Institute
• Published CoQ10 Research — Compiled by Kaneka
• For specific guidance on the suitability of CoQ10/Ubiquinol to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Questions about Ubiquinol Gold

How does Ubiquinol Gold compare with other Ubiquinol supplements?

Because no two products containing Ubiquinol are exactly alike, comparisons across Ubiquinol products by different brands isn’t always practical or useful. We have provided below the key highlights of our Ubiquinol Gold product so consumers have the information they need to make the purchasing decision that’s right for them.

• Ubiquinol Gold is made using the clinically proven ubiquinol from Kaneka®
• Each 1 soft gel serving of Ubiquinol Gold provides 100 mg of Ubiquinol
• Ubiquinol Gold is independently verified to meet identity, potency, and purity specifications
• Ubiquinol Gold is encapsulated in bovine gelatin soft gels for better protection from oxidation
• Ubiquinol Gold is free of artificial colorants (e.g. titanium dioxide)
• Ubiquinol Gold is free of chemical additives

What is the best time of day to take Ubiquinol Gold?

Ubiquinol can typically be taken at any time of the day. Because ubiquinol is a fat-soluble nutrient, taking it with food (that includes some fat) may optimize its absorption. If you take more than one serving of Ubiquinol Gold each day, consider taking them at separate times. Given that ubiquinol can be mildly energizing, we encourage you to avoid taking it in the evening hours, especially if you have trouble sleeping. As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Can I take more than what is suggested on the label? What amount of ubiquinol should I take?

Because we are not a licensed healthcare provider, we regret we cannot make any recommendations with regard to taking a dosage higher than what is suggested on the product label. The dosing range provided in the suggested use on the label (100 mg to 200 mg per day) is based on amounts used in clinical investigations featuring the clinically-proven ubiquinol ingredient. According to Kaneka, the world's premier supplier of the most researched forms of CoQ10, "the recommended daily use of Ubiquinol varies based on each individual’s needs. However, those who are older or have health concerns may want to start supplementing with 200 mg of Ubiquinol CoQ10 per day. After about two weeks, 100 mg per day is thought to be a good maintenance dose.” (Source) Please consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

How does NutriGold ensure the purity of the ingredients used in its Ubiquinol Gold product?

At NutriGold, consumer safety is our top priority, which is one reason we verify the purity and overall quality of raw materials as well as the finished products themselves. Depending on the complexity of the testing involved, including determining what needs to be tested, what methods are fit-for-purpose, and which lab is most qualified to perform the testing, we sometimes have results from as many as 4 or 5 different independent, ISO-accredited labs for each product. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

What assurance can you provide that the amount of ubiquinol listed on the label is actually in the product?

All of our products are verified by independent third-party labs to meet identity, purity, and potency label claims. We take results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (C of A) that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. The C of A provides assurance that the claims made on the label accurately reflect the contents of the product inside the bottle. If interested, more information on our our commitment to independent, third party quality testing can be found at this link - https://nutrigold.com/pages/accountability  

Can I break apart the softgel and add the contents to liquid/food to consume?

Ubiquinol is an extremely unstable ingredient that can quickly oxidize and degrade when exposed to air. This can reduce its overall bioavailability and effectiveness. So, we recommend taking the product as formulated (soft gel). 

Is Ubiquinol Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?

Ubiquinol Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not Ubiquinol Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation.

Questions about capsule shell

What is in the capsules used by NutriGold to encapsulate its products?

Depending on the formulation, NutriGold products are encapsulated using cellulose, pullulan, organic pullulan, or soft gel capsules. Information regarding the composition of the capsule shell is provided in the “Informed Purchasing Decision Checklist” and is accurate to the best of our knowledge based on information available in the public domain as well as supply-chain documentation provided by the capsule and soft gel manufacturers/vendors.

Are any processing aids used in the production of the empty vegetarian capsule?

Yes. Minor amounts (~ 3%) of processing aids are used in the production of the empty vegetarian (cellulose) capsule shell. The processing aids used in the manufacturing of the capsule shell have been identified as proprietary by the capsule manufacturer and protected by intellectual property and confidentiality agreements between the capsule manufacturer/vendor and NutriGold. As such, we are legally bound to maintain this information strictly confidential and regret that we cannot provide this information to consumers. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.  

Are the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shells present in the finished product?

Processing aids that are used in the production of the capsule shell may be present in the finished empty capsule shell. We regret we cannot provide precise information on the type of processing aid(s) or the approximate residual amount of the processing aid(s) in the finished capsule shell because it would require us to divulge information proprietary to the capsule manufacturer. We can, however, assure you that the processing aids used in the production of the empty capsule shell are non-toxic, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), compliant with both the United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia, and do not pose an allergen risk.

I am concerned about a possible allergy to the processing aid(s) used in the production of the capsule shells. How can I find out what processing aids are used so I can determine whether the product is safe for me to take?

Although we make every effort to provide as much information as we can about the ingredients in our products to help consumers make educated purchasing decisions, there may be times when we cannot provide the requested information or clarification because it is proprietary to the manufacturer, as in the case of the processing aids. Disclosing protected information to unauthorized individuals, within and outside our organization, is not just unethical, but also unlawful. If you are concerned about a potential allergy to the processing aid(s) that may have been used in the production of the capsule shell, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider prior to making a purchasing decision. 

Why does NutriGold® sometimes use soft gelatin capsules to encapsulate its products?

At NutriGold®, we are committed to offering sustainable products using non-GMO, organic, and/or vegan ingredients, and this includes the capsule shell we use to encapsulate those ingredients. In fact, many of our products are certified vegan by Vegan Action®, helping provide unbiased assurance that the product (and the ingredients it contains) comply with both dietary and ethical vegan standards. However, there are some ingredients (e.g. fish oil, ubiquinol, astaxanthin) that are more sensitive to oxygen and can, consequently, oxidize or degrade. For ingredients like these, bovine gelatin soft gelatin capsule shells offer better protection and help ensure finished product integrity until the end of the shelf-life of the product. That being said, we are hopeful that growing consumer awareness of and demand for vegan options will continue to drive innovation in dietary supplement delivery systems and we are committed to replacing the gelatin soft gels in our products with a clean-label, vegan capsule shell that offers the same protection from the elements as the gelatin capsule when such an option becomes available.

Questions about the ‘Best By’ date and ‘Consume by’ recommendation

What does the “Best by” date printed on the bottom of the bottle mean?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

Is the product safe to take after the “Best by” date printed on the bottle?

As long as the product is stored and handled under conditions that will not cause it to become contaminated, the product should be safe to take past the “Best By” date printed on the bottom of the bottle. However, we do not guarantee that the product will meet stated label claims past the “Best By” date printed on the bottle.

Why does the product I purchased have a recommendation on the label to consume the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle?

The “consume by” recommendation is included on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, please consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

What is the difference between the “Best by” date and the “Consume by” recommendation on your products?

The “Best By” date printed on the bottle is the date until which a product will meet label claims as long as the product is sealed or, once opened, stored and handled as recommended on the product label.

The “Consume by” recommendation is included only on products that are formulated using ingredients that are sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. heat, light, humidity). Although exposure to these environmental factors does not adversely impact or compromise product safety, it can degrade the potency of these eco-sensitive ingredients and, consequently, make the product less effective. So, to ensure that you get the most out of products that are made using eco-sensitive ingredients, it is important to consume the product within the timeframe recommended on the label.

If the product I purchased contains ingredients that can degrade once the bottle is opened, how can I be confident that I am still getting the declared amounts of the nutrients on the label?

To ensure that our products provide the nutrients in the amounts declared on the label, we intentionally include higher amounts of eco-sensitive ingredients than what is declared on the label to compensate for degradation that may occur once the bottle is opened. The amount of an ingredient that is added above what is declared on the label is referred to as an intentional “overage” and it is added for the precise purpose of compensating for possible potency degradation during routine product storage and handling. That being said, we would like to assure you that we take great care to ensure that the amount of the overage does not exceed established tolerable upper limits and there is no risk of toxicity when the product is taken as directed.

Because there are practical and regulatory considerations on how much of an overage we can include in our different formulations, the most effective option we have available to ensure that consumers get the most out of our products is to provide the “consume by” guidance on products that contain eco-sensitive ingredients. You can be confident that you are getting the declared amounts of the nutrients as long as you store and consume the product within the recommended time frame.

Why do you recommend consuming the product within a certain number of days after opening the bottle even though the “Best by” date is months (or years) away?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without chemical preservatives. While the vast majority of ingredients we use in our products are stable and remain potent even after the product is opened, there are some ingredients that are particularly sensitive to environmental factors and must be handled with care from source to shelf, and beyond.

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance (unless it conflicts with instructions from your healthcare provider), so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended.

Will the product still provide benefits past the “consume by” recommendation on the bottle?

If the product you purchased includes a recommendation to finish the product within a prescribed time, it is important that you follow this guidance so you can enjoy the health benefits that can only be realized when the product is taken consistently as recommended. Although not consuming the product within the recommended time frame once the bottle is opened will not cause the product to “spoil” or become “unsafe,” the potency of some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients may start to degrade and this can diminish the product’s potential to support your health goals.

What is the best way to store NutriGold products?

NutriGold products are made with natural ingredients and without the use of any chemical stabilizers or preservatives. So, the best way to store them is in their original container away from direct sunlight and humidity. It is not recommended to empty the capsules or soft gels from their original container and store them in pill boxes or plastic bags because it could not only cause some of the more eco-sensitive ingredients to lose potency, but may also increase the risk of cross-contamination with other products or environmental pathogens.

Follow these simple guidelines to get the most out of NutriGold supplements —