Scientists confirm safety of MitoQ and kidney health
Read more
Jul 25, 2022
|2 mins to read
Scientists have confirmed MitoQ® Mitoquinol's safety for kidney health. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial from Auburn University found that even at extremely high doses (equivalent to 20–32 regular capsules at once), MitoQ did not increase kidney injury biomarkers compared to placebo, adding further reassurance to the safety profile already established at MitoQ® Mitoquinol normal recommended dose of 10-20mg per day.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the safety profile of MitoQ® Mitoquinol (MitoQ) and its potential role in promoting kidney health.
The kidneys are among the most metabolically active organs in the body, and they’re highly dependent on optimal mitochondrial function to their many important functions. When it comes to supplements, any compound that is engineered to accumulate within the mitochondrial matrix must be carefully evaluation for renal safety, particularly at higher doses.
The study
Researchers from the University of Auburn, Alabama carried out a randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled baseline-comparison trial in 15 healthy adults to study the safety of MitoQ at high doses and kidney health. Participants were randomly assigned either a placebo or MitoQ at a dose of 100-160mg (according to bodyweight) and blood samples were taken prior to taking MitoQ capsules, then urine was collected 4-5 hours afterwards. After a 72 hour wash-out period the dosing was reversed and those on placebo were given MitoQ, and those randomly assigned MitoQ took the placebo.
It is worth noting that the recommended consumer dose of MitoQ is currently 10-20mg per day, and MitoQ’s safety has previously been proven at doses of up to 80mg.
The levels of creatinine (a waste product) in the participants’ blood and urine were assessed to determine how well their kidneys were working as the body’s filtration system. Creatinine should not be confused with creatine, an amino acid involved in energy supply. Creatinine levels outside of a healthy range can indicate kidney problems. To complete a holistic assessment of kidney health, the participants’ urine was also tested for a range of other biological markers (biomarkers) relating to kidney injury.
“For me the most exciting thing about MitoQ is the number of tissues and cell types in which it may have unique effects”
Braxton Linder – study’s lead author
The results
Results from the trial found that acute, high-dose MitoQ supplementation did not result in high concentrations of kidney injury biomarkers compared to placebo samples. However, there was a slower degree of creatinine clearance in the urine (how fast it moves out of the kidneys) for the MitoQ supplementation, but the levels were still within the normal healthy range. It must be noted that the amount of MitoQ used in the trial is much larger than would ever normally be taken, the equivalent of 20-32 MitoQ capsules at once. So, the findings that there was no evidence of kidney injury at these extreme dose levels is very reassuring.
"For me the most exciting thing about MitoQ is the number of tissues and cell types in which it may have unique effects,” says the study’s lead author, Braxton Linder. His research group also has an ongoing trial looking at the effects of MitoQ on vascular health.
This new research suggests that there is good preliminary evidence that ongoing MitoQ use in the normal range (10mg-20mg) is beneficial to kidney health, and to-date MitoQ has over 30 clinical trials in our bibliography showing various benefits of MitoQ to kidney health. At MitoQ we encourage and look forward to independent clinical studies being conducted on our products and to date we have over 900 published trials alongside glowing customer reviews that support our product’s excellent safety profile.
Shop MitoQ
REFERENCES
-
1.
Linder, B. A., Stute, N. L., Hutchison, Z. J., et al. (2024). Acute high-dose MitoQ does not increase urinary kidney injury markers in healthy adults: A randomized crossover trial. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 326(1), F135–F142. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00186.2023
Disclaimer: This blog contains promotional content about our products. The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health objectives.
Georgia Truman is the Scientific Affairs Manager at MitoQ, based in Hamilton, New Zealand. She leads the Mitochondrial Collaborative Research Programme (MCRP) and oversees science communications, helping bring the latest research on mitoquinol, mitochondrial health, and longevity to life for the MitoQ community. Georgia also hosts The MitoPod, MitoQ’s podcast dedicated to mitochondrial health and longevity science
