CoQ10, or coenzyme Q10, is a powerful antioxidant that is in most of the tissues in your body. The role of coenzymes is to break down food and convert it to energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which studies show is sometimes deficient in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
A typical dosage of CoQ10 is 30 to 90 mg each day, taken in smaller doses 2 or 3 times a day. Some doctors recommended as much as 200 mg per day. So far, there's no specific dosage recommendation for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, which means that you'll absorb it better when you take it with a meal containing oil or fat.
CoQ10 works slowly, so you may not see any therapeutic benefit for up to 8 weeks. While early studies on CoQ10 for these conditions are promising, more research needs to be done.
Before starting any supplement, of course, you should consult your doctor.
Adding Fish to Your Diet:
Side effects include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Skin itching
- Rash
- insomnia
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Irritability
- Increased light sensitivity of the eyes
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
Caution: CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. If you have diabetes, hypoglycemia or low blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting CoQ10 supplements.
More Supplement Information
- Back to Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Other supplements for energy:
Source:
Alternative Medicine Review. 2000 Apr;5(2):93-108. "Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome."
Journal of International Medical Research. 2002 Mar-Apr;30(2):195-9. "An open, pilot study to evaluate the potential benefits of coenzyme Q10 combined with Ginkgo biloba extract in fibromyalgia syndrome."
