Kaneka Ubiquinol logo
Kaneka Ubiquinol logo
Kaneka Ubiquinol logo

Supporting Sports
Nutrition Formulations

Supporting Sports
Nutrition Formulations

Supporting Sports
Nutrition Formulations

How Does Ubiquinol Support Exercise Performance and Recovery?

Ubiquinol supports the physiological demands of exercise by contributing to mitochondrial energy production and protecting against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during strenuous activity. These functions are central to maintaining cellular efficiency when energy turnover increases.

Ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 or ubiquinone), is found throughout our cells, tissues, and organs. It is required for 95% of cellular energy production1 and is essential for proper cellular function and the body’s antioxidant defense system, aiding physiological processes vital for energy metabolism and cellular wellness during exercise.

Positioned within the mitochondrial membrane where energy production takes place and where ROS are generated, ubiquinol supports efficient electron transfer within the electron transport chain (ETC)2,3 while helping maintain oxidative balance during periods of increased metabolic demand.

With age, our ubiquinol levels naturally decline,4 and our ability to convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol diminishes. This, along with environmental and lifestyle factors, can elevate oxidative stress.5

Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between free radical molecules and protective antioxidants, can damage cell components, affecting mitochondrial and cellular function.

Supplementation with Kaneka Ubiquinol® provides nutritional support during exercise by promoting cellular energy production and providing antioxidant protection. For those already using sports nutrition supplements containing CoQ10, switching to Kaneka Ubiquinol® offers the active antioxidant form of CoQ10.

Kaneka Ubiquinol® Clinical Research on Supplementation and Effects in Exercise and Performance

The following findings reflect clinical studies of 200 to 300 mg per day of Kaneka Ubiquinol® supplementation over two to six weeks in healthy adults, trained athletes, and individuals under strenuous exercise or high-altitude conditions.

Exercise weights icon

Reduces free radicals generated during
strenuous exercise6

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Helps sustain nitric oxide levels during exercise6

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Enhances peak power output in highly trained athletes7

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Promotes cardiac output at high altitudes8,9

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Supports cardiorespiratory function during exercise at high altitudes8,9

How Does Exercise Influence Energy Demand and Oxidative Stress?

During exercise, the body’s demand for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) rises.10 Higher ATP turnover increases oxygen consumption and accelerates the production of ROS.11 While moderate ROS levels play a role in signaling and supporting training adaptations, excess ROS can contribute to oxidative stress, which can lead to impaired muscle function and increased fatigue.10

ROS output varies with exercise intensity, duration, fitness level, age, and nutritional status.11 High-intensity or prolonged training, low fitness levels, and aging all increase the likelihood of oxidative stress.11 Environmental factors, such as high altitude, can add to the physiological burden, further affecting endurance, cardiorespiratory performance, and recovery.12

Kaneka Ubiquinol sports nutrition infographic by Kaneka Nutrients
Older adult man stretching his legs on a pedestrian bridge during an outdoor workout

What Evidence Supports the Use of Kaneka Ubiquinol® in Sports Nutrition?

Clinical studies show that supplementation with 200 to 300 mg per day of Kaneka Ubiquinol® supports exercise and athletic performance by reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress,6 supporting cardiovascular function,8,9,13 increasing nitric oxide levels,6,13 and helping maintain exercise capacity at high altitude.8,9 Research in elite athletes also demonstrates improvements in peak power output at a daily dose of 300 mg.7

Kaneka Ubiquinol® is certifiable for sport within the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

What Product Formats Are Available for Kaneka Ubiquinol® in Sports Nutrition Manufacturing?

Kaneka Ubiquinol® is supplied as a pure crystalline powder for use in a wide range of finished dosage forms commonly developed by sports nutrition manufacturers. It can be incorporated into softgels, gummies, cap-within-cap systems, liposomal formulations, liquid capsules, and other applications that require controlled exposure to light and oxygen. These formats support the needs of sports nutrition companies and sports nutrition distributors that produce performance-focused products for the U.S. market.

Kaneka Ubiquinol® is also available as Kaneka Q30™, an air-stable 30% Ubiquinol powder designed for broader formulation flexibility. Q30 is suitable for dry blend and modular delivery systems such as stick packs, sachets, and soft chews, which are often used in bulk sports nutrition, powder blends, drinks, and convenient on-the-go formats, including sports nutrition gels and bars.

Ubiquinol nutritional supplement pill icon

The world’s first Ubiquinol available as a nutritional supplement ingredient

Unlike CoQ10, Ubiquinol requires no conversion to be absorbed into the blood and to perform its antioxidant function13,14

Why Choose Kaneka Ubiquinol® as a High-Quality Ingredient for Sports Nutrition?

With a science-led approach and a reputation for setting the industry standard, Kaneka supports sports nutrition brands with high-quality Ubiquinol ingredients designed for reliable formulation, stability, and scientific integrity across a range of sports nutrition product formats.

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  1. Martini FH. Metabolism, nutrition and energetics. In: Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology. 12th ed. Pearson; 2024:943-50.
  2. Bentinger M, Brismar K, Dallner G. The antioxidant role of coenzyme Q. Mitochondrion. 2007;(7 Suppl):S41-50.
  3. Ernster L, Forsmark-Andrée P. Ubiquinol: an endogenous antioxidant in aerobic organisms. Clin Investig. 1993;71(8 Suppl):S60-5.
  4. Wada H, Goto H, Hagiwara S, Yamamoto Y. Redox status of coenzyme Q10 is associated with chronological age. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007;55(7):1141-2.
  5. Amorim JA, Coppotelli G, Rolo AP, Palmeira CM, Ross JM, Sinclair DA. Mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction in ageing and age-related diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022;18(4):243-58.
  6. Sarmiento A, Diaz-Castro J, Pulido-Moran M, et al. Short-term ubiquinol supplementation reduces oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise in healthy adults: a randomized trial. Biofactors. 2016;42(6):612-22.
  7. Alf D, Schmidt ME, Siebrecht SC. Ubiquinol supplementation enhances peak power production in trained athletes: a double-blind, placebo controlled study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10:24.
  8. Liu Z, Yang J, Yang B, et al. Effect of ubiquinol on electrophysiology during high-altitude acclimatization and de-acclimatization: a substudy of the Shigatse CARdiorespiratory Fitness (SCARF) randomized clinical trial. Int J Cardiol. 2024;401:131817.
  9. Lv H, Liu Z, Sun M, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and effects of ubiquinol during high-altitude acclimatization and deacclimatization: the SCARF trial. iScience. 2025;28(3):112112.
  10. Clemente-Suárez VJ, Bustamante-Sanchez Á, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Martínez-Guardado I, Martín-Rodríguez A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Antioxidants and sports performance. Nutrients. 2023;15(10):2371.
  11. Militello R, Luti S, Gamberi T, Pellegrino A, Modesti A, Modesti PA. Physical activity and oxidative stress in aging. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(5):557.
  12. Gaur P, Prasad S, Kumar B, Sharma SK, Vats P. High-altitude hypoxia induced reactive oxygen species generation, signaling, and mitigation approaches. Int J Biometeorol. 2021;65(4):601-15.
  13. Sabbatinelli J, Orlando P, Galeazzi R, et al. Ubiquinol ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia: a randomized clinical trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1098.
  14. Kubo H, Yamamoto Y, Fujisawa A. Orally ingested ubiquinol-10 or ubiquinone-10 reaches the intestinal tract and is absorbed by the small intestine of mice mostly in its original form. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2023;72(2):101-6.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.