Coenzyme Q10 from Scheunengut: Ubiquinone in the Spotlight

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the best-known molecules in the world of food supplements – and at the same time one that many people only know by name. Yet Q10 is not some exotic additive, but a substance the body produces itself: it occurs in practically every one of our cells, especially densely in the mitochondria, the small powerhouses where the cell generates energy. Over the years, the body’s own production can decline, which is why Q10 is so sought-after as a supplement.

In this spotlight, we take a closer look at our Coenzyme Q10: what ubiquinone actually is, what makes our plant-based fermentation special, how to use it, and who it’s designed for.

Many half-truths circulate about the name Q10. That’s why an objective, honest classification matters to us: Coenzyme Q10 is not a novel active ingredient, but a molecule the body produces itself that has been known for a long time. It’s also absorbed through food – for example via meat, fish, nuts, and plant-based oils – though only in fairly small amounts. Naturally particularly rich in Q10 are organ meats such as heart or liver, as well as fatty fish, while fruit and vegetables provide only small amounts. Anyone who eats a plant-based diet or wants to plan their daily intake in a targeted way therefore likes to reach for a standardized supplement that delivers a consistent amount.

What Sets Our Coenzyme Q10 Apart

First, an honest classification: there is no officially authorized health claim for Coenzyme Q10 in the European Union. So here we deliberately don’t promise you any effect, but instead describe what Q10 factually is – and that’s interesting enough on its own.

Coenzyme Q10, chemically ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble molecule that the body produces itself. Its name derives from the Latin ubique – “everywhere” – because it occurs in almost every part of the body. In the mitochondria, Q10 is part of what’s known as the respiratory chain, the process by which cells generate energy in the form of ATP. Particularly energy-hungry tissues naturally contain a lot of Q10 – these include, for example, the heart, kidneys, and liver, whose cells have a continuously high energy turnover and therefore contain an above-average number of mitochondria.

There are two forms: oxidized ubiquinone and reduced ubiquinol. Our product relies on ubiquinone, the stable, easily stored, and well-established base form, which the body can convert between. It’s precisely this stability that makes ubiquinone a reliable building block for daily supplementation. The body continuously converts both forms into one another, depending on where and for what Q10 is needed at any given moment – so the distinction is less a matter of better or worse, and more a description of two states of the same molecule within its natural cycle.

One important point upfront, so that no false expectations arise: because there is no authorized health claim for Q10, you won’t find any statements from us about what Q10 “does.” That’s deliberate. We stick strictly to the applicable rules and describe exclusively what Q10 is, chemically and biologically. We prefer this transparency to grand promises that wouldn’t hold up to scrutiny.

The historical context is also interesting: Coenzyme Q10 was first isolated back in the 1950s and has since become one of the most thoroughly studied molecules the body produces itself. The “Q” in its name refers to its chemical membership in the quinone group, while the number 10 refers to the number of certain side-chain units in its molecular structure, distinguishing it from related Q variants. Its central role in cellular energy production is scientifically undisputed – even though that doesn’t automatically mean a supplement has a health effect within the meaning of EU requirements. We take this distinction seriously.

What Makes Our Product Special

Our Coenzyme Q10 as high-dose ubiquinone comes from plant-based fermentation. This is a deliberately chosen path: during fermentation, microorganisms produce the Q10 from plant-based raw materials – without any animal-derived starting materials. This makes our ubiquinone 100% vegan and suitable for a plant-based diet. Specially cultivated microorganisms are used, which build up Q10 as part of their own metabolism; this is then isolated and purified from the fermentation broth. Over the past few decades, this process has become the established standard for high-quality, plant-based Q10.

For us, “high-dose” means a clearly declared, noticeably measured amount of Q10 per daily serving, so you don’t have to stack several capsules to reach a sensible dose. We place value on transparent amount declarations – you can see exactly how much ubiquinone is in one serving. Q10 is generally considered a molecule with limited bioavailability, because it is both fat-soluble and a comparatively large molecule – one reason why manufacturers use various approaches, such as micronization or special carrier oils, to make absorption easier.

Because Q10 is fat-soluble, it’s absorbed best together with fat. That’s why we recommend taking it with a meal that contains fat. This small usage rule is our most important lever for bioavailability, and it costs you nothing extra. The complex is concentrated on the essentials – pure ubiquinone without any unnecessary extras.

Beyond its vegan origin, the fermentation route has another advantage: the Q10 obtained this way corresponds to the form that the human body itself uses. Instead of producing Q10 chemically and synthetically from petroleum-based precursors, we leave the work to microorganisms that build it up from plant-based raw materials. This is a more nature-close approach that fits well with our commitment to offering understandable and honest products.

We deliberately avoid an overloaded formula with lots of additives. For us, Q10 takes center stage, clearly declared and in an amount that makes one capsule a day sensible. This keeps the product easy to understand, easy to dose, and easy to combine with other building blocks of your routine, without ingredients unnecessarily overlapping.

Use & Dosage

Take the recommended daily serving as stated on the jar – ideally with a meal that contains some fat, such as lunch or dinner. Fat improves the absorption of the fat-soluble ubiquinone. If you already take other fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D or vitamin E, Q10 can easily be added alongside them at the same meal. A glass of water with it is enough.

Because Q10 is linked to energy metabolism in the cells, some people prefer to take it in the first half of the day. This isn’t essential – regularity matters more. Don’t exceed the stated recommended daily dose. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

In practice, it’s proven useful to tie the Q10 capsule firmly to an existing meal – for example, a warm lunch or an evening meal with a little oil, cheese, or avocado. That way, the fat-containing accompaniment is automatically there, and you don’t have to think about it separately. Anyone who anchors their supplement intake to such small habits forgets it less often and keeps up the routine over a long period. A consistent time of day also helps taking it become a natural habit.

If you take blood-thinning medication or are under medical treatment, consult a doctor before taking Coenzyme Q10.

Who Our Coenzyme Q10 Is Suitable For

Our ubiquinone is aimed at anyone who wants to specifically add to their daily nutrient routine and rely on a vegan, transparently dosed Q10 source. Because the body’s own Q10 production can decline over the years, people from midlife onward in particular like to reach for a supplement. Anyone who consciously pays attention to high-quality, clearly declared raw materials and doesn’t want an overloaded combination product will also find a clean, honest product here. People who already keep an eye on other nutrients related to cellular metabolism, and who want to add Q10 as another clearly defined building block, benefit as well.

Athletically active people and anyone who eats a plant-based diet also appreciate a Q10 from plant-based fermentation that requires no animal-derived raw materials. Especially in a vegan diet, where animal Q10 sources like meat and fish are absent, a standardized supplement is an obvious choice for keeping daily intake predictable.

A word on combinability: because our ubiquinone comes without an overloaded ingredient list, it fits well into an existing routine without nutrients unnecessarily overlapping. Anyone already using fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin D or astaxanthin can simply take the Q10 with the same fat-containing meal – that saves steps and makes use of the shared absorption route via dietary fat. Omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E can be added at the same meal following the same principle. This turns several individual building blocks into one lean, everyday-friendly habit.

Independent supplementation is less suitable for people on blood-thinning medication without medical consultation, since coordination makes sense here. The same applies during pregnancy and breastfeeding: when in doubt, check first. For everyone else, our Q10 remains exactly what it’s meant to be: a clean, vegan, and transparently dosed building block of your daily supply – without promises of effect, but with a clear origin and honest communication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What actually is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10, chemically ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble molecule the body produces itself. It occurs in almost every cell and is part of energy production in the mitochondria. As a supplement, it’s popular because the body’s own production can decline over the years.

What does “plant-based fermentation” mean?

During fermentation, microorganisms produce the Q10 from plant-based raw materials, entirely without animal-derived starting materials. This makes our ubiquinone 100% vegan and suitable for a plant-based diet.

Ubiquinone or ubiquinol – what’s the difference?

Ubiquinone is the oxidized, stable base form, and ubiquinol is the reduced form. The body can convert between the two. We rely on ubiquinone because it’s particularly stable in storage and well established.

When and how do I take Q10?

Ideally with a meal that contains fat, since ubiquinone is fat-soluble and is absorbed better that way. Stick to the recommended daily dose on the jar and take it regularly.

Can I combine Coenzyme Q10 with vitamin D?

Yes. Since both nutrients are fat-soluble, they can be taken well together at the same fat-containing meal. When combining several products, pay attention to the respective recommended intake, and if you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there an authorized effect for Q10?

There is no authorized health claim for Coenzyme Q10 in the EU. We therefore describe Q10 factually as a molecule the body produces itself and deliberately make no promises of effect.