Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat soluble molecule found in all cell membranes of the human body. It is also known as ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous, omnipresent nature. CoQ10 is an antioxidant that is required by the mitochondria in each cell of your body. Your mitochondria use it in the production of energy (ATP). Not getting enough CoQ10 can leave you feeling low in energy, but it can also compromise the health and function of many organs in your body. Your body can produce CoQ10 but several factors can impair production and leave you deficient. Some of these include aging, illness, stress and nutritional deficiencies. The cholesterol lowering drugs called statins deplete the body of CoQ10. Not having enough CoQ10 can increase the risk of suffering with migraines. Dysfunction in mitochondrial energy metabolism is thought to play a role in some types of migraines. CoQ10 has been shown to improve mitochondrial energy production (called oxidative phosphorylation). Therefore, some researchers have studied it as a potential prophylactic treatment for migraine headaches. Research indicates that supplementing with between 150 and 300mg per day of CoQ10 may reduce migraine frequency, the number of days the migraine lasts, as well as nausea. The beneficial effects of supplementation may begin within four weeks of starting therapy. In most cases it takes 12 weeks to achieve a greater than 50 percent reduction in days with migraine, so it’s important to persevere. Along with helping to reduce migraines, Co enzyme Q10 is a wonderful antioxidant with specific benefits to the heart. It also helps improve energy levels, therefore is wonderful for shift workers or people who struggle with insomnia. References: Rozen TD, Oshinsky ML, Gebeline CA, et al. Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive. Cephalalgia 2002;22(2):137-141 Sándor PS, Di Clemente L,Coppola G, et al. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology 2005;64(4):713-715