Performance Starts in the Mitochondria:
Ubiquinol’s Role in Sports Nutrition

Ubiquinol—the active antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)—supports mitochondrial function during exercise by helping sustain cellular energy production and protect against oxidative stress. Mitochondria power muscle contraction and the pumping of the heart by producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Exercise increases ATP demand, raises oxygen consumption, and accelerates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are byproducts of energy metabolism.

As a lipid-soluble antioxidant produced in the body, ubiquinol acts alongside the ubiquinone form of CoQ10 in the mitochondrial membrane to support normal energy production and protect both mitochondria and cells by neutralizing ROS at their sites of formation.

In this blog, we explore how ubiquinol contributes to mitochondrial efficiency and oxidative balance when metabolic demand rises.

During exercise, oxidative stress develops when mitochondrial energy demand rises and ROS generation increases faster than the body’s antioxidant defenses can neutralize them. This typically occurs as ATP demand and oxygen consumption increases, accelerating electron transport chain (ETC) activity and raising the likelihood of electron leakage that forms ROS.¹

Exercise-induced ROS initiate adaptive responses, including increased mitochondrial density, angiogenesis, and improved aerobic efficiency. However, maintaining a physiological balance between ROS and antioxidant defense is essential.¹

Antioxidants that operate within the mitochondrial membrane, including ubiquinol, may help support this balance.²

An oxidative imbalance can occur during periods of unusually high metabolic demand or environmental strain, such as very intense or prolonged exercise sessions, during exposure to heat, or at high altitude.^3,4

When oxidative stress is elevated, ROS can affect¹:

• Mitochondrial and cellular lipids (as reflected by exercise-induced lipid peroxidation)
• Contractile proteins and contractile function
• Proteins, including enzymes involved in energy metabolism
• Nucleic acids within muscle cells, including DNA

These effects are associated with increased fatigue, reduced power output, and extended recovery time.

Factors Influencing Oxidative Load
Oxidative burden varies across individuals and training contexts. Key contributors include:

• Age: Endogenous antioxidant capacity naturally declines with age.³
• Baseline fitness: Lower-conditioned individuals often experience higher ROS relative to workload.
• Nutrition status: Nutrient insufficiencies can increase oxidative susceptibility.
• Training intensity and duration: Higher volume or intensity increases ATP demand and ROS generation.
• Environmental conditions: High altitude increases oxidative load due to hypoxia-related mitochondrial strain.⁴

How Ubiquinol Supports Mitochondrial Efficiency During Exercise

Ubiquinol supports mitochondrial efficiency during exercise by helping sustain cellular energy production and neutralizing ROS where they form, functions that are key in fulfilling the needs of rising metabolic demand.

Supporting Cellular Energy Generation
Ubiquinol and ubiquinone (CoQ10) form a redox pair. Through redox cycling, they participate in electron transfer within the ETC. This supports steady-state electron flow and may help maintain conditions that limit electron leakage, which can contribute to ROS formation when mitochondrial workload is high.^1,5

Maintaining Mitochondrial Membrane Integrity
The mitochondrial membrane contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that are sensitive to oxidation. Because ubiquinol is lipid-soluble and located in the membrane, it is positioned to neutralize ROS at the site of production, helping to maintain membrane integrity and the conditions required for sustained ATP production.²

Protecting Cellular Components Under Metabolic Strain
Several factors can influence how effectively the body manages oxidative stress under metabolic strain. With aging, the body’s antioxidant defenses decline, and the ability to convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol naturally diminishes, which can reduce ubiquinol levels and lead to an imbalance of ubiquinol/ubiquinone in the blood. At the same time, age-related increases in oxidative stress can occur when ROS production rises or antioxidant capacity decreases, which may be influenced by factors such as nutrient-poor diets, tobacco and alcohol use, and exposure to environmental pollutants.

When ROS levels increase under conditions of elevated metabolic demand, proteins and enzymes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism can be affected under conditions of oxidative stress. Ubiquinol’s antioxidant activity within the mitochondrial membrane helps support normal metabolic function during exercise.^2,6

Research demonstrates that Kaneka Ubiquinol^® supports exercise performance by:

• Reducing free radicals generated during strenuous exercise, thus promoting a healthy oxidative balance during exercise⁷
• Helping sustain nitric oxide (NO) levels during exercise, which signals blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients⁷
• Enhancing peak power production in elite athletes when taken at 300 mg per day⁸
• Reducing fatigue and supporting cardiovascular output when training at high altitude^9,10
• Supporting the body’s capacity for efficient delivery of oxygen at high altitude^9,10

In a clinical study evaluating the effects of Ubiquinol supplementation on exercise performance at high altitude, participants taking 200 mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol^® per day for 17 days reduced the decline in cardiorespiratory fitness by almost half compared to the placebo—a decrease of 11% in the Ubiquinol group versus 21% for placebo.¹⁰

Kaneka Ubiquinol^® is bioidentical to the ubiquinol naturally produced in the body and is certifiable for sport within the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Kaneka Nutrients is the manufacturer of Kaneka Ubiquinol^®, the leading Ubiquinol supplement, offering unmatched quality, bioavailability, and scientific and clinical data. By adding Kaneka Ubiquinol^® to your supplement portfolio, your brand gains a strategic partnership with the Kaneka Nutrients team, along with the following advantages:

Increased Bioavailability
Unlike conventional CoQ10 supplements, Kaneka Ubiquinol^® requires no conversion in the body to provide potent antioxidant protection at the cellular level.^11,12 Kaneka Ubiquinol^®has been shown to be two times better absorbed than conventional CoQ10 when taken as a supplement.¹³ Research demonstrates that 200 mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol^® increases ubiquinol levels by approximately eight times compared to baseline in healthy adults when taken daily for at least 30 days.¹⁴

Dedication to Scientific Research
Kaneka has invested more than 50 years in the research and testing of ubiquinone and ubiquinol, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to scientific validation. Kaneka Ubiquinol^® is supported by rigorous research and clinical experience confirming its safety and role in supporting overall health. To date, more than 100 research studies have been published on Kaneka Ubiquinol^®. In addition, it is supported by over 17 years of positive consumer experience.

Patented Manufacturing Process
Kaneka Ubiquinol^® is a proprietary CoQ10 made by nongenetically modified natural yeast strains through a patented microbiological fermentation process. This method ensures the production of the all-trans isomer Ubiquinol, which is bioidentical to the ubiquinol naturally produced in the human body. Our proprietary approach yields a pure, high-quality Ubiquinol, ensuring the body can use it effectively. It does not contain the impurities commonly found in synthetic CoQ10 ingredients.

Made in the USA
As a trusted leader in Ubiquinol production in the United States, Kaneka Nutrients ensures the quality, reliability, and purity of Kaneka Ubiquinol^®, delivering the safety and performance necessary to enhance your premium product formulations.

Formulation Flexibility
Kaneka Ubiquinol^® is available as crystalline powder suitable for softgels, gummies, cap-in-cap delivery, liposomal systems, and liquid capsules. Kaneka Q30™ (30% air-stable Kaneka Ubiquinol^® powder) is available in additional formats, including stick packs, sachets, and soft chews.

Performance, endurance, and recovery rely on efficient mitochondrial energy production and balanced oxidative physiology. Ubiquinol supports both through its role in the ETC and antioxidant activity within the mitochondrial membrane. Clinical findings indicate relevance for maintaining energy metabolism, supporting healthy oxidative balance, and sustaining performance under environmental stressors, such as at high altitude.

For formulation programs where mitochondrial efficiency and oxidative management are priorities, Kaneka Ubiquinol^® delivers a rigorously-studied option that integrates readily into sports nutrition concepts.