Findings from a recent study by ConsumerLab.com highlights the difficulty consumers have in selecting a supplement containing the highly popular antioxidant CoQ10 or its activated form, ubiquinol. ConsumerLab.com's tests revealed that, among 24 CoQ10 and ubiquinol products it recently selected for testing, two contained less CoQ10 than listed—one of which provided only 61 percent of the amount claimed. Even among products which contained their listed ingredients, consumers need to choose carefully—the suggested daily dose ranged from 30 mg to 1,000 mg and the calculated cost ranged from 8 cents to more than $3 to obtain an equivalent amount (100 mg) of CoQ10 from products. The results appear in a new online report showing which products passed or failed testing, offer the best value, and contain solubility-enhancers which may increase absorption.

Use of CoQ10 has been steadily rising for many years and it is now the third most popular supplement (behind fish oil and multivitamins) in the U.S. among people who use multiple supplements, according to a recent survey by ConsumerLab.com of over 10,000 supplement users. CoQ10 appears useful in treating congestive heart failure and preliminary evidence suggests additional uses including improving "vitality," reversing side-effects of "statin" drugs, and preventing migraine headaches. 

The CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review is available here and covers 50 products. ConsumerLab.com selected 24 of these products and 26 others are included for passing the same tests in CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. Also included are two products identical in formula to one which passed testing but which are sold under different brand names. 

Products covered in the report are Berkley & Jensen (BJ's) CoQ10. Biosolv Quinogel, Carlson CoQ10, Country Life CoQ10, CVS Pharmacy CoQ10. Doctor's Best High Absorption CoQ10, Dr. Mercola Ubiquinol, Dr. Sears Private Label Ultra Accel, Dr. Sinatra Omega Q Plus, Enzymatic Therapy Smart Q10, Finest Nutrition (Walgreens) Co Q-10, Garden of Life RAW CoQ10, GNC CoQ-10, Healthy Origins Ubiquinol, Jarrow Formulas Ubiquinol QH-Absorb, Kirkland Signature CoQ10 (Costco), Life Extension Super Ubiquinol, Liquid Health Hydrosoluble CoQ10, Metagenics CoQ10 ST-200, Natrol CoQ-10, Natural Factors Coenzyme Q10, Nature Made CoQ10, Nature's Bounty Extra Strength Co Q-10, Nature's Sunshine CoQ10, Nature's Way CoQ10, NOW CoQ10, Nutrifii Biopro-Q, Nutrifii Omega-Q, Nutrilite coenzyme Q10 complex, Nutrition Now Coenzyme Q10, Pure Encapsulations CoQ10, Puritan's Pride Q-Sorb CoQ10, QGel Mega 100 Coenzyme Q10, Qunol Liquid CoQ10, Qunol Mega CoQ10, Qunol Ultra CoQ10, Rexall® Co Q-10, Rite Aid Coenzyme Q-10, Simply Right (Sam's Club) Co Q-10, Solaray Ubiquinol CoQ10, Solgar Ubiquinol, Source Naturals Ubiquinol CoQH, Spring Valley (WalMart) Q Sorb, Swanson CoQ10, Trader Joe's Co Enzyme Q 10, TwinLab Twinsorb CoQ10, USANA CoQuinone, Vitacost CoQ10, Vitamin Shoppe CoQ-10, Vitamin Shoppe Ubiquinol CoQ10, Vitamin World Q Sorb, and Whole Foods CoQ10. 

The report provides comparisons of product quality, ingredients, and cost, and includes information about the uses of CoQ10 and ubiquinol, potential side-effects, and how formulations differ in absorption.