Written by
Louise W Lu, PhD, MPH, BMLS
Written/Reviewed by
Alexandra V Goldberg, Registered Dietitian
Recently, one of our readers sent me this photo 👇
“Nutritionist, this product says Ubiquinol (Cocrysta™ QH). Isn’t that the same ‘reduced CoQ10’ you always recommend? The formula looks similar and it’s much cheaper — could it replace the Kaneka one?”
I’ve actually been asked this question quite a few times lately. 😂
Many of my clients get confused when choosing a CoQ10 supplement. 🤔
They all say Ubiquinol, which sounds like the same “reduced CoQ10”,
yet the price, results, and reputation vary so much!
The key is this:
“Ubiquinol” is simply the chemical name for reduced CoQ10 —
but the raw material technology behind each Ubiquinol source can be completely different.
Think of it like this: two bottles might both say “100% orange juice.”
One is freshly cold-pressed from whole oranges, while the other is made from concentrate.
They sound the same, but the taste, nutrients, and absorption are worlds apart.
The same is true for CoQ10 supplements.
Many brands claim to use “reduced CoQ10”,
but only a handful truly master the technology to keep the molecule stable, active, and highly absorbable.
Among them, the one most trusted by nutritionists and backed by the largest body of international clinical studies
is Kaneka Ubiquinol™ — made in Japan.
In this article, I’ll walk you through — from a nutritionist’s perspective —
why Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is considered the “gold standard” of CoQ10,
and how it fundamentally differs from Cocrysta™ QH, even though both are labeled “Ubiquinol.”
If you’d like to learn more about the differences between the two forms of CoQ₁₀, check out our previous article
“NZ & AU Ubiquinol Face-Off: Which CoQ₁₀ Supplement Reigns Supreme?”
For example, two CoQ10 supplements we recommend that use Kaneka® patented ingredients are: Health Life® Co-Enzyme Q10 Ubiquinol 100mg or VIKPRO SUPER CoQ10 UBIQUINOL.
📊 Let’s Start with the Verdict — Who Is the True King of Reduced CoQ10?
Here’s a one-glance comparison chart showing the real differences between Kaneka Ubiquinol™ and Cocrysta™ QH across key dimensions:
👉 Swipe left or right to view the full comparison
| Comparison Parameter | Kaneka Ubiquinol™ (Japan) | Cocrysta™ QH (China) | Winner & Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company & Origin | Kaneka Corporation (Founded 1949, Osaka, Japan) | Cocrystal Health Industry (Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China) | 🏆 Kaneka — Longstanding biochemical expertise and a more robust quality system |
| Raw Material Source | ✅ Non-GMO yeast-based biological fermentation, human-identical | ❌ Artificially synthesized co-crystal in lab (combined with niacinamide) | 🏆 Kaneka — Naturally fermented and aligned with human metabolic pathways |
| Molecular Form (Isomer) | ✅ Pure 100% trans-form reduced CoQ10 | ❌ Mixed crystal (reduced CoQ10 + niacinamide) with non-absorbable cis-forms | 🏆 Kaneka — 100% trans-form more easily recognized and utilized by receptors |
| Purity (Active Fraction) | ✅ ≥99.8% (Pharmaceutical grade) | ❌ Active fraction approx. 80–90% | 🏆 Kaneka — Lower inactive fraction, more stable potency |
| Crystal Form Control | ✅ Stable process control, low polymorphic risk | ❌ Co-crystal must dissociate in vivo, actual crystal transition unknown | 🏆 Kaneka — Controlled polymorphism, high batch-to-batch consistency |
| Oxidative Stability Strategy | ✅ Dual antioxidant protection at both raw and formulation levels, proven in finished products | Uses “co-crystal” to enhance powder stability, but post-dissociation stability in vivo is unknown | 🏆 Kaneka — Stability verified under real human application conditions |
| Dissolution / Delivery Technology | ✅ Mature oil-based delivery system (softgel/lipid matrix) | ❌ Focused mainly on powder stabilization, limited lipid-soluble delivery focus | 🏆 Kaneka — Better suited to lipid environments, efficiently enters chylomicrons |
| Human Absorption Rate | ✅ Clinical studies show approx. ~4× higher than conventional CoQ10 Langsjoen 2008 |
❌ No human absorption data (only in vitro solubility) MDPI 2023 |
🏆 Kaneka — Verified human plasma absorption and comparative trials |
| Bioavailability (Cellular Uptake) | ✅ Directly enters bloodstream → mitochondria in reduced form | ❌ Requires co-crystal dissociation before absorption, efficiency uncertain | 🏆 Kaneka — Shorter pathway, fewer conversions, higher efficiency |
| Clinical Applications | ✅ Proven in cardiovascular, fatigue, exercise recovery, and male fertility fields |
❌ No published human clinical data | 🏆 Kaneka — Broader and more validated clinical endpoints |
| International Safety Certifications | ✅ FDA GRAS / EFSA / TGA / Japan MHLW | ❌ No FDA/EFSA/TGA/HC approvals found | 🏆 Kaneka — Endorsed by multiple regulators, safer for long-term use |
| Quality Traceability & Consistency | ✅ Fully traceable raw material lots, long-term supply to pharma & global brands | ❌ Limited public disclosure, few global supply records | 🏆 Kaneka — Mature supply chain with stable cross-batch performance |
| Patent & Compliance | ✅ Holds key patents on reduced CoQ10 stabilization technology | ❌ Sued by Kaneka in 2023 for patent infringement (U.S.) PR Newswire 2023 |
🏆 Kaneka — Original patent holder, compliance guaranteed |
| Overall Cost-Effectiveness (“Usable mg Value”) | ✅ Higher proportion of bioactive CoQ10 per dose | ❌ Higher labeled content but lower active fraction / less efficient absorption | 🏆 Kaneka — More “real” effective dosage per milligram |
In a nutshell:
From how it’s made (fermentation vs. co-crystal),
to what it actually is (pure all-trans molecule vs. complex lattice),
to whether your body can use it (4× absorption, human trials),
and whether it’s safe and compliant (multi-country certifications, patent protection),
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ dominates across the board.
If you want real, bioavailable energy nutrition that your body can truly use,
the choice is clear: Kaneka Ubiquinol™ 🏆.
Next, let’s dive deeper into the science behind each of these differences...
1: From the Source — Kaneka vs. Cocrysta™
🧬 Kaneka: A Pioneer Born from Natural Fermentation
Kaneka Corporation was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1949, with over 70 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise.
It was the first company in the world to successfully produce Coenzyme Q10 using natural yeast fermentation,
and has since become the leading supplier of Ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) with the most clinical research worldwide.
Kaneka’s production philosophy centers on replicating the body’s own energy generation process,
ensuring nutrients are more easily recognized and absorbed.
This is why many doctors and nutritionists specify the use of Kaneka Ubiquinol™
when recommending reduced-form CoQ10.
⚗️ Cocrysta™: A Laboratory Innovation from Jiaxing, China
Cocrysta™ QH originates from Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, developed by Antipro Biotechnology and its subsidiary
Cocrystal Health Industry (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd..
The company is known for its work in Co-crystal Engineering,
combining reduced CoQ10 with niacinamide (vitamin B3) to form a stable crystalline structure,
improving powder stability during storage and processing.
This approach is innovative, though it remains primarily focused within material science applications.
⚖️ The Patent Dispute between Kaneka and Cocrysta™
The differing technological approaches of the two companies have even led to a patent dispute.
In October 2023, Kaneka filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Federal Court in New York,
accusing Cocrystal Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliates of infringing
U.S. Patent No. 7,829,080, which covers the stabilization process for producing reduced-form CoQ10.
(C&EN Report, 2023)
Cocrystal later issued a statement announcing its intent to challenge the validity of the patent,
asserting that the lawsuit would not affect its international operations.
(Source: The Malaysian Reserve, 2025)
Round 1 🧬 Company & Technology Background
Winner: Kaneka Ubiquinol™ 🏆
Reason: Strong brand credibility, mature technology, and extensive clinical and patent foundation.
2: Molecular Structure & Purity — Invisible Differences that Determine Absorption
🧬 Kaneka: 100% Naturally Identical “all-trans” Molecules
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ uses the same all-trans configuration found in the human body — the most stable and bioavailable molecular form of Coenzyme Q10.
It achieves pharmaceutical-grade purity of ≥ 99.8%,
allowing the molecule to enter mitochondria directly without conversion to support cellular energy production.
💡 Imagine it like having the “original key” that fits perfectly into your body’s energy locks.
The illustration below helps visualize the structural difference between the two 👇
⚗️ Cocrysta™: Smart on Paper, But Not for the Body
Cocrysta™ QH applies the concept of “Co-crystal Engineering”,
forming a crystalline complex between reduced CoQ10 and niacinamide (vitamin B3).
While this improves powder stability, it creates a compound molecule
that must first break down in the body before releasing usable Q10.
It may sound like a clever antioxidant idea, but from a nutritional absorption perspective,
it adds an extra “unpacking” step for your cells.
🔬 Scientific Comparison at a Glance
👉 Swipe left or right to view the full comparison
| Comparison Item | Kaneka Ubiquinol™ | Cocrysta™ QH |
|---|---|---|
| 🔹 Molecular Form | ✅ Single Ubiquinol Molecule (Natural all-trans) | ❌ Ubiquinol + Niacinamide Co-crystal Complex |
| 🔹 Purity | ✅ ≥ 99.8% Pharmaceutical Grade | ❌ Approx. 80–90% Active Q10 Content |
| 🔹 Molecular Activity | ✅ Directly participates in cellular energy metabolism | ❌ Must be decomposed in vivo to release active CoQ10 |
| 🔹 Bio-identity | ✅ 100% identical to human-synthesized CoQ10 | ❌ Altered structure; recognition rate uncertain |
Round 2: Molecular Structure & Purity
At the molecular level, Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is a native, active compound that can be directly utilized by cells;
while Cocrysta™ QH functions more like a “composite version” — more stable, but with a longer metabolic path.
Winner: Kaneka Ubiquinol™ 🏆
Reason: Natural all-trans structure, ≥99.8% purity, full molecular activity, and immediate bioavailability.
3: Absorption Rate & Bioavailability — What You Take vs. What Your Body Actually Uses
Many people believe that simply “taking Q10” means instant energy.
But in reality, not all forms of reduced CoQ10 are equally absorbed.
The key to absorption lies in whether it can pass through the intestinal wall, enter the bloodstream, and be received by mitochondria.
🧬 Kaneka: The Only Clinically Proven Ingredient with High Absorption
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is currently the only reduced-form CoQ10 ingredient supported by multiple human clinical studies.
In the Langsjoen PH et al. (2008) study,
daily supplementation with 100mg Kaneka Ubiquinol™ for four weeks
led to an average 4-fold increase in plasma Q10 levels.
By comparison, even high doses of oxidized CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) only increased levels by less than 30%.
💡 Think of it this way:
it’s like the difference between oil and water — both can be consumed, but only Kaneka truly integrates into your cells.
⚗️ Cocrysta™: Stable in the Lab, Not Proven in the Body
Cocrysta™ QH demonstrates higher powder stability in studies,
but only in in vitro (test tube) experiments —
not in human clinical trials.
So far, no research has shown that it increases plasma Q10 levels,
and no published studies exist on human absorption or metabolism.
In other words, it might perform well in a lab setting,
but in real life, it’s like “a well-packaged meal that never gets eaten.”
📊 Comparison: Absorption & Bioavailability
👉 Swipe left or right to view the full comparison
| Comparison Item | Kaneka Ubiquinol™ | Cocrysta™ QH |
|---|---|---|
| 🧫 Absorption Validation | ✅ Multiple human clinical trials (plasma concentration ↑ 4×) | ❌ No human data, only in vitro dissolution tests |
| ⚡ Bioavailability | ✅ Directly absorbed through intestines and utilized by mitochondria | ❌ Must first break down co-crystal structure to release active compound |
| 📈 Plasma Increase Speed | ✅ 2–4× faster than standard Q10 | ❌ Unknown |
| 🧍♀️ Clinical Applications | ✅ Studied in heart disease, fatigue, and exercise recovery | ❌ No published human trials |
Round 3: Absorption Rate & Bioavailability
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is one of the few nutrients that is both effectively absorbed and actively utilized by the body.
Its clinically proven absorption rate is several times higher than that of conventional Q10.
In contrast, Cocrysta™ remains largely at the experimental stage —
“stability” has yet to translate into true biological utilization.
Winner: Kaneka Ubiquinol™ 🏆
Reason: Clinically proven to increase absorption over 4×, supported by real plasma data and metabolic evidence.
4: Safety & Clinical Validation — The Scientific Basis of Trust
In the world of nutritional supplements, trust is not built by advertising, but by data. A truly reliable ingredient must stand the tests of regulation, research, and time.
🧬 Kaneka: The Only Reduced CoQ10 Trusted by Global Medical Systems
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is currently the only reduced-form CoQ10 ingredient officially recognized for safety by multiple global authorities, and it has been used in clinical nutrition and pharmacological research for over a decade.
- ✅ United States — FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)
- ✅ European Union — EFSA (Approved for use in foods and supplements)
- ✅ Australia — TGA (Registered pharmaceutical-grade ingredient)
- ✅ Japan — Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Certified functional nutrient material)
To date, Kaneka has published 50+ clinical and animal studies covering cardiovascular health, energy metabolism, exercise recovery, male fertility, and anti-fatigue effects. This is more than a nutritional supplement — it’s a clinically recognized functional compound used in medical prescriptions and research.
📊 Below are several representative clinical studies on Ubiquinol:
📎 Holmberg MJ et al., 2021: Randomized controlled trial in post-cardiac arrest patients — Ubiquinol significantly increased plasma CoQ10 levels and showed good metabolic safety.
📎 Donnino MW et al., 2015: Septic shock RCT — Ubiquinol improved mitochondrial function–related biomarkers and enhanced antioxidant capacity.
📎 Kawashima C et al., 2020: Randomized crossover trial in heart failure patients — 400 mg/day for 3 months improved peripheral endothelial function (EndoPAT).
📎 Pierce JD et al., 2018: HFpEF study protocol — 12-week Ubiquinol ± D-ribose intervention aimed to reduce symptom burden and improve cardiac function.
📎 Mitsui J et al., 2023: Phase II multicenter, double-blind clinical trial in multiple system atrophy — high-dose Ubiquinol (1500 mg/day) significantly increased CoQ10 levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.
📎 Stough C et al., 2019: 90-day RCT study protocol in healthy elderly — designed to assess Ubiquinol’s potential effects on cognitive performance and neural energy metabolism.
📎 Sarmiento A et al., 2017: Randomized trial in healthy adults — short-term Ubiquinol supplementation reduced oxidative stress and improved muscle recovery after strenuous exercise.
📎 Safarinejad MR et al., 2012: RCT in infertile men — Ubiquinol increased sperm concentration by 53% and motility by 25% after 3–6 months of supplementation.
⚗️ Cocrysta™: Still at the Laboratory Stage
Cocrysta™ QH has not yet disclosed any human clinical trials or international safety certifications (FDA, EFSA, or TGA). Its studies remain focused on in vitro solubility experiments, emphasizing powder stability rather than actual absorption or physiological effects.
Round 4 Safety & Clinical Validation
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ remains the only reduced CoQ10 ingredient recognized by multiple international regulatory agencies and supported by extensive clinical data. From safety to scientific validation, it has withstood both time and scrutiny.
Winner: Kaneka Ubiquinol™ 🏆
Reason: Fully certified by FDA, EFSA, and TGA, with over 50 published studies confirming safety and efficacy; Cocrysta™, in contrast, lacks human data and remains in early laboratory exploration.
