18/04/2026
Many women in midlife or going through menopause notice that they feel that their energy levels are lower than normal. While many factors can play a role in causing fatigue, one nutrient is becoming more prevelant in the energy conversation—CoQ10. It’s found throughout the body, but especially in tissues with high energy demands, such as the heart, liver, kidneys and ovaries.
You can get CoQ10 from foods such as organ meats (such as liver), fatty fish, meat, nuts and seeds and vegetables such as spinach and parsley. Because CoQ10 is fat-soluble, it can be better absorbed with dietary fats (eg cooking vegetables in olive oil).
Here are five reasons we love CoQ10:
Energy support:
CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound made by the body and found in almost every cell. It's found in the mitochondria, the “energy factories” or as we all remember, “the powerhouse” of the cell, where it helps the body produce ATP, which is the energy our cells use every day.
Heart support:
The heart is one of the most energy-demanding organs in the body, so it makes sense that CoQ10 is found in high amounts here. Interestingly, statin medication can lower CoQ10 levels, which is why CoQ10 is sometimes discussed for people on statins who experience muscle symptoms.
Menopause and women's health:
Because tissues such as the ovaries are highly energy-dependent, CoQ10 is often recommended for fertility health (because mitochondria are so important for egg quality) and women's cellular health. As we age, natural CoQ10 levels tend to decline and this is where things become especially interesting for women in midlife. CoQ10 is being looked at as a lovely supportive nutrient, particularly because of its role in cellular energy production and antioxidant defence. For example, in a small study, postmenopausal women taking 100mg daily for three months reported improvements in mood, skin, general health and overall quality of life.
Antioxidant support and brain health:
CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress. This is important because oxidative stress can affect how well cells function over time, including those in the brain. Oxidative stress from pollution, toxins and from our environment.
Skin health:
Because CoQ10 plays a role in both cellular energy and antioxidant defence, it is also important for skin health and longevity. Skin is exposed to daily oxidative stress from the environment, and nutrients like CoQ10 can help support overall skin wellbeing from the inside out.
