Wediscuss various nutrients and dietary supplements in this article that may or may not be helpful. If you purchase recommended products, services, or treatments, it may benefit CNY Fertility financially. Read more about our financial relationships here. The supplements discussed in this article are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, take any medications, or have been diagnosed with a medical condition, consult with a healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring biomolecule that is essential for the health of all human cells, tissues, and organs. CoQ10 can be taken as a dietary supplement to combat increasing age and certain medical conditions that can cause CoQ10 levels to drop. Because many people take CoQ10 for fertility, they often want to know, can you take CoQ10 during pregnancy?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring biomolecule that is present in every cell in the human body. CoQ10 functions as a potent antioxidant and helps generate energy in all cells. As such, CoQ10 is essential for the health of all human cells, tissues, and organs.
The body can synthesize CoQ10, but levels tend to decline with age. While CoQ10 is a nutrient that is found in certain foods, it is usually found in relatively low concentrations. Because of this, CoQ10 is often taken as a dietary supplement.
When taken as directed, CoQ10 is viewed as generally safe and has few associated side effects. As referenced above, there is plenty of research available that has shown CoQ10 may provide a wide array of health benefits.
Research indicates that CoQ10 has low toxicity and requires long exposure to high dosages to produce possibly adverse effects. In addition, studies have shown that CoQ10 usually does not cause serious adverse effects in humans.
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that usually emerges around 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system. If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can cause serious and even fatal complications to the mother and her baby.
In one study, researchers measured the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on women at an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Women were split into a 200 mg CoQ10 treatment group and a placebo group. They received treatment from 20 weeks of pregnancy until delivery.
Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver problem that causes the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder to be stopped or slowed. Due to the serious health consequences that cholestasis can cause to the mother and the fetus, it is considered a high-risk condition. Cholestasis can increase the risk for fetal distress, preterm birth, or stillbirth.
Research has shown that women who experience cholestasis have a significant decrease in CoQ10 levels. Studies have found that a fetus from a mother who experienced cholestasis is at greater risk due to oxidative damage.
The accumulation of bile acids caused by cholestasis contributes to an imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses. This imbalance can cause an increase in the oxidative stress experienced by the fetus.
As mentioned above, CoQ10 may help to reduce the chances of miscarriage and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there are some reports indicating that CoQ10 may contribute to negative pregnancy outcomes.
One study found that heightened Co Q10 levels in the amniotic fluid (fluid surrounding the fetus in the abdomen) during the fourth to sixth month of pregnancy may be a marker of future complications during pregnancy and birth.
As with all medications or supplements, you should consult with your doctor before starting anything new. If you are already taking medications, have health concerns, or are pregnant, then it is especially important to speak with your doctor.
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Methods: Women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women were assigned to receive 200 mg of CoQ10 or placebo daily from 20 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. The primary outcome was rate of pre-eclampsia. Statistical analyses were by intention-to-treat.
Data from clinical studies indicate that CoQ10 is highly safe for use as a dietary supplement. [3-4] Overall, studies indicate that CoQ10 supplementation is well tolerated with limited side effects. [2] Doses up to 3,000 mg/day did not cause serious adverse effects in humans; however, gastrointestinal symptoms may appear when the dose is increased beyond 1,200 mg/day.
There's no research showing that CoQ10 can cause miscarriage. Some suggest taking a "small" amount of CoQ10 during pregnancy because there is an association between low CoQ10 levels and miscarriage. [6] However, you shouldn't take a Coenzyme Q10 supplementation while pregnant unless you have discussed it with your OBGYN or a fertility specialist.
Okay, so how much CoQ10 should I take during pregnancy? Since eggs don't stop aging while you're pregnant, some women continue to take a small amount of CoQ10 (120 mg per day) during pregnancy. Our CoQ10 gummies contain 200 mg per serving for optimal results. We also recommend learning more about when to take CoQ10 supplements for efficient usage. We asked one of our Medical Advisors, the "Egg Whisperer" Dr. Aimee what she thinks:
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy specific liver disorder with potentially serious consequences for the fetus, like increased rate of premature deliveries, fetal distress, and perinatal mortality. One animal study showed that CoQ10 (ubiquinone specifically) reduced oxidative stress. [7] The authors concluded that CoQ10 may be a therapeutic option for pregnant women with ICP. Another small human study recognized the association between CoQ10 deficiency and ICP, suggesting that CoQ10 supplementation may prevent the risk of oxidative stress in ICP. [8]
Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure. One study concluded that CoQ10 reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia in women at risk for the condition. [9] If you are at risk for preeclampsia, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Aside from helping protect cells from free radical damage and supporting metabolic function, Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may also improve egg quality and even female fertility treatment in some cases. If you have been taking CoQ10 supplements while trying to conceive or through fertility treatments, we recommend stopping as soon as you are pregnant UNTIL you discuss it with your doctor.
Dr. Kenosha Gleaton is board-certified in gynecology and obstetrics and is the Medical Advisor of Natalist. She received her MD from MUSC and completed her residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Gleaton is passionate about women, youth, and mentoring. She is a Scrubs Camp instructor, a program to increase student entry in healthcare, and serves as a Compassion International adoptive parent. She is also a member of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, and the American Association of Professional Women.
Dr. Kenosha Gleaton is board-certified in gynecology and obstetrics and is the Medical Advisor of Natalist. She received her MD from MUSC and completed her residency at Carolinas Medical Center in... Read More Shop Products From This Article CoQ10 Liquid Capsules Add To Cart - $39.00 CoQ10 Gummies Add To Cart - $44.00 Backed by science, trusted by mothers
Evening primrose is a flowering plant native to North America; the oil extracted from this plant contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. There are several purported ways that evening primrose oil supports fertility:
Another theory says that the fatty acids in EPO help improve the cervical mucus, the viscous fluid released by the cervix that can be protective for sperm at certain times in the menstrual cycle. But the relationship between fatty acids and cervical mucus has not been demonstrated in any large, well-designed studies.
In another small study of overweight patients with PCOS, inositol supplementation reduced insulin levels and restored menstrual cycle regularity for patients with irregular cycles. Another small study of PCOS patients with insulin resistance concluded that inositol induced ovulation in 61% of patients, resulting in pregnancy for over one-third of subjects. And several studies (1, 2) have demonstrated that inositol could be nearly as, if not more, effective for those hoping to conceive with PCOS than metformin, the common drug of choice for insulin resistance.
Vitamin D is an interesting case, because, while the mechanism by which it affects fertility is still unclear, the correlations between blood vitamin D levels and conception rates are well established. In one review of 2,700 subjects, researchers found that women with sufficient levels of vitamin D had higher pregnancy and live birth rates than insufficient and deficient women. Another analysis of 1,191 women also concluded that women with sufficient concentrations of vitamin D in their blood were more likely to achieve clinical pregnancy than women with insufficient concentrations.
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