A new review, published in the journal Nutrients in January 2026, presents new data on Ubiquinol, and asserts the nutrient is so critical it should be classified as a "conditionally essential" nutrient. Ubiquinol is the reduced bio-active form of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Essential vs. non-essential In the world of nutrition nutrients are broadly divided into two groups: essential and  non-essential. Essential nutrients are ones the body can't make, so a person must eat—or supplement—them on a regular basis. Non-essential nutrients are ones a healthy body makes on its own, and aren't critical to obtain via the diet. A "conditionally essential" nutrient is one that falls into the more complicated middle ground. A nutrient is "conditionally essential" when the body usually makes enough of it to get by, but under certain conditions the body can’t keep up with the demand. During these periods the nutrient must be obtained from diet or supplements to maintain beneficial levels. The review corroborated other studies that determined there were a number of times during a person's lifecycle when the body required extra Ubiquinol—the "essential nutrient" periods. According to the researchers, these critical periods include early life development; times of illness and stress; and, most critically, during the fertility stage when men and women are trying to conceive. Importantly, during the fertility stage extra Ubiquinol was found to be just as important for men as women Study details The review analyzed trials where both men and women were provided a Ubiquinol supplement for various periods of time. The dosages ranged from 200–400 mg/day. The results showed consistent improvements across the board, with subtle differences between the sexes. In men, the Ubiquinol supplementing was found to increase sperm motility (how well the sperm "swim" through the female reproductive tract). Ubiquinol was also found to improve sperm morphology (size and structure of sperm). Finally, Ubiquinol was associated with significant reductions in sperm DNA fragmentation—a situation most often caused by oxidative stress. In women, Ubiquinol was found to help maintain egg quality as maternal age increases. It does this by supporting the high concentration of mitochondria found in egg cells. Ubiquinol also provides the "fuel" needed for the very first stages of embryo development, where cell division is rapid and demanding. Additionally, the study found that Ubiquinol appears to improve how ovaries respond to in vitro fertilization protocols. Ubiquinol superior to basic CoQ10 The researchers noted that consumers should understand that Ubiquinol is the more bioavailable form of CoQ10. Standard CoQ10 (ubiquinone) has to be converted by the body into Ubiquinol to work properly, so taking Ubiquinol directly allows for higher circulating levels in the blood. Relative to sexual support and fertility, researchers documented that the Ubiquinol advantage could be seen in three ways: Energy - Ubiquinol powers the intense cell division needed for conception. Oxidative Stress - Ubiquinol acts as a shield against cellular damage in eggs and sperm. Age Factor - Ubiquinol offsets the natural decline in CoQ10 levels that starts in the 20s or 30s. - - - Primary source: Nutrients, January 2026.
