CoQ10 and beetroot are two of the most commonly recommended ingredients for heart health and circulation, but they work in genuinely different ways — one is about cellular energy production, the other is about blood vessel function. Understanding the difference helps explain why they're so often formulated together rather than as alternatives to each other.
What CoQ10 actually does
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound your cells use directly to produce energy, and it's found in especially high concentration in heart tissue — which makes sense, since the heart is one of the most energy-demanding muscles in the body, beating continuously without rest. Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, but levels decline with age, and — importantly — statins, one of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol medications, are known to deplete natural CoQ10 levels. This is one of the most common reasons people start looking into CoQ10 supplementation in the first place.
CoQ10 comes in two forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is the more stable, more researched form, and it's the form your body converts into the active ubiquinol on its own — which is why it's a common choice for a daily formula.
What beetroot and dietary nitrates do
Beetroot is naturally rich in dietary nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide — a molecule that helps blood vessels relax and widen, supporting healthy blood flow. This is a completely separate pathway from CoQ10's role in cellular energy, which is exactly why the two are complementary rather than redundant: CoQ10 supports how efficiently your cells (including heart muscle) generate energy, while beetroot's nitrates support how well blood actually flows to deliver oxygen and nutrients in the first place.
Why pairing them makes sense
Since CoQ10 and beetroot support two different parts of the same overall picture — cellular energy and blood flow — combining them covers more ground than doubling up on either one alone. Adding vitamin D3 and K2 (both fat-soluble, best absorbed with a meal) rounds out a formula aimed at heart health and circulation specifically, since both nutrients are independently associated with cardiovascular and bone health.
Frequently asked questions
I take a statin — should I be taking CoQ10?
Statins are well-documented to deplete the body's natural CoQ10 levels, which is one of the most common reasons people on statins look into CoQ10 supplementation. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement if you're on statins, blood thinners, or other heart medication.
What's the difference between ubiquinone and ubiquinol?
Ubiquinone is the more stable, oxidized form and the one most commonly used in supplements; ubiquinol is the active, reduced form your body converts ubiquinone into. Since your body performs that conversion naturally, ubiquinone is a practical, well-researched choice for a daily formula.
Is beetroot the same as nitric oxide supplements like L-arginine?
No — they support nitric oxide through different pathways. L-arginine and L-citrulline are amino acids that act as direct or indirect building blocks for nitric oxide, while beetroot's dietary nitrates convert into nitric oxide through a separate route. They're complementary, not duplicates — see our related guide on nitric oxide for more detail.
Should I take this with food?
Yes — CoQ10, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 are all fat-soluble, meaning they're better absorbed when taken with a meal that contains some fat, rather than on an empty stomach.
How long before I notice a difference?
Heart health and circulation support are cumulative, not immediate — most people think of this in terms of consistent daily use over weeks to months, not a one-time effect.
Evernate's Heart Health & Energy formula combines 200mg of CoQ10 (as ubiquinone) with 4,000mg of beetroot, plus vitamin D3 and K2, in one daily capsule.
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