People with chronic fatigue disorders who took coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements experienced less fatigue, a recent review and meta-analysis has found. The greatest reduction in fatigue was found with supplements that contained CoQ10 alone, rather than those that contained a mixture of other dietary supplements.

Researchers analyzed the findings of 13 studies involving more than 1,100 people who had conditions that commonly cause fatigue, such as heart failure, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. The study participants took supplements containing between 60 and 500 milligrams of CoQ10 daily for four to 24 weeks and reported on their fatigue levels. Some of the supplements contained CoQ10 alone, while some also contained NADH (the reduced form of NAD+) or multivitamins.

The researchers found that participants who took supplements containing CoQ10 alone reported less fatigue than those who didn’t take CoQ10 or took it combined with other compounds. Only one participant reported any adverse effects (gastrointestinal upset).

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant compound produced in the body. It is also widely available as a dietary supplement. CoQ10 is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is responsible for the production of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

The findings from this review and meta-analysis suggest that CoQ10, especially when taken alone, improves symptoms of fatigue in people with chronic conditions associated with fatigue.

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