Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance found in the body and in small amounts in some foods. It exists in two forms, ubiquinone and ubiquinol, and levels in the body are reported to fall with age.[1][2]
This article explains how the two forms differ, what shilajit is, and what the rules say about claims. It is information only and not medical advice.
- CoQ10: found in the body and in some foods, with levels reported to fall with age.[1]
- Ubiquinol and ubiquinone: ubiquinone is the oxidised form and ubiquinol the reduced form, and which is preferable in a supplement is still debated.
- Shilajit: a mineral-rich resin that contains fulvic acid, with limited research in people.
What Is CoQ10?
CoQ10 is a substance found in the body and in small amounts in some foods. Levels in the body are reported to fall with age, which is one reason it features in discussions of healthy ageing.[1][2] There is no authorised health claim for CoQ10 in Great Britain.[3]
Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone: What Is the Difference?
Ubiquinone is the oxidised form of CoQ10 and ubiquinol is the reduced form. The body can convert one into the other. Most CoQ10 supplements contain ubiquinone, while ubiquinol supplements contain the reduced form directly. Which form is preferable is still debated.
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a dark resin that seeps from rocks in mountain regions and has a long history of traditional use. It contains fulvic acid among other substances. There is no authorised health claim for it, and information from human studies is limited.[3]
Taking It Safely
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, and makers generally advise taking it with a meal that contains some fat. Follow the directions on the pack, and ask your GP or pharmacist first if you take medicines, particularly blood thinners, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Clinical Comparison: Ubiquinol and Shilajit Complex vs. Standard Ubiquinone CoQ10
| Feature / Aspect | Ubiquinol and Shilajit Complex | Standard Ubiquinone CoQ10 |
|---|---|---|
| Form of CoQ10 | Ubiquinol, the reduced form. | Ubiquinone, the oxidised form. |
| Other ingredients | Includes shilajit fulvic complex, 100 mg per softgel on the label. | Usually CoQ10 on its own. |
| Amount on the label | 100 mg ubiquinol per softgel. | Varies between products. |
| Evidence and claims | Research on ubiquinol and shilajit in people is limited; no authorised health claims in Great Britain. | Studied for longer; no authorised health claim for CoQ10 in Great Britain. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ubiquinol and ubiquinone?
Ubiquinone is the oxidised form of CoQ10 and ubiquinol is the reduced form. The body can convert one into the other, and which form is preferable in a supplement is still debated.
What is shilajit?
A dark resin from mountain regions with a long history of traditional use. It contains fulvic acid among other substances, and information from human studies is limited.
Should ubiquinol be taken with food?
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, and makers generally advise taking it with a meal that contains some fat. Follow the directions on the pack, and ask your GP or pharmacist first if you take medicines, particularly blood thinners.
Does CoQ10 have an authorised health claim?
No. There is no authorised health claim for CoQ10 or shilajit in Great Britain.[3] For another ageing-related ingredient, see NMN vs NR: The 2026 NAD+ Verdict.
AI Doctor Verdict
CoQ10 is found naturally in the body, and levels are reported to fall with age. This site focuses on natural products, and the one we have chosen to feature contains ubiquinol, the reduced form of CoQ10, together with shilajit. There are no authorised health claims for either ingredient, so this is general information and not advice to treat anything. Please speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take medicines, particularly blood thinners.
Continue the Longevity & Anti-Ageing Series
- → Post 1: Urolithin A and Mitophagy: What the Research Shows
- → Post 2: NMN vs NR: The 2026 NAD+ Verdict
- → Post 3: Mitochondrial Biogenesis: The 2026 Protocol (you are here)
- → Post 4: Spermidine & Autophagy: The Cellular Recycling Essential
- → Post 5: Resveratrol and Sirtuin Activation — Switching On Your Longevity Genes
- → Post 6: Epigenetics and Ageing: What the Research Shows
- → Post 7: Actinic Purpura: Why Forearm Bruises Appear and What Helps
References
- [1] Hernández-Camacho JD, Bernier M, López-Lluch G, Navas P. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation in aging and disease. Frontiers in Physiology. 2018;9:44. doi.org
- [2] Mantle D, Hargreaves I. Coenzyme Q10 and degenerative disorders affecting longevity: an overview. Antioxidants. 2019;8(2):44. doi.org
- [3] GOV.UK. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. gov.uk