At this year’s Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) Innovation Day, Kaneka Ubiquinol™ proudly sponsored a thought-provoking session with respected clinician, educator and author Dr Leah Hechtman PhD, ND, FNHAA. Her presentation, ‘The Power Within: Mitochondrial Health and its Impact on Women’s Vitality and Wellbeing’, delivered powerful scientific insights and clear product development implications for brands focused on women’s health.

Dr Hechtman’s standing-room-only session captivated a multidisciplinary audience of brandholders, practitioners, and product innovators, sparking rich discussion around mitochondrial function as a foundation for fertility and reproduction and healthy ageing for women.

Key Takeaways from Dr Hechtman’s Presentation

1. Mitochondrial health must be the starting point for hormonal health

Women generate and regulate hormones across all life stages, —from in utero through to menopause, —and this entire process depends on mitochondrial function and its role in cholesterol synthesis. Without sufficient mitochondrial output, hormonal interventions (including nutritional, herbal, or pharmaceutical) may be far less effective.

2. Ubiquinol is essential for mitochondrial efficiency and women’s health

Ubiquinol supports mitochondrial energy production, defends against oxidative stress, and restores cellular function. Its role is especially critical in high-energy-demand tissues like oocytes, which contain up to 100,000 mitochondria per cell—a figure Dr Hechtman described as “a biological signal of how vital mitochondrial support is for reproductive success.”

3. Medications like menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives may deplete Ubiquinol

Many women rely on HRT or oral contraceptives across different life stages. However, these medications may deplete Ubiquinol stores, increasing oxidative stress and lowering mitochondrial resilience. For brandholders, this presents a unique opportunity to support women on these therapies with targeted, evidence-backed supplementation.

4. Ubiquinol enhances the efficacy of other antioxidants

Unlike most other antioxidants, Ubiquinol helps regenerate and recycle other antioxidants in the body, creating a synergistic layer of defence against cellular ageing and inflammation—particularly relevant for active women and those managing stress, fatigue, or poor sleep.

5. Mitochondrial health is central to both fertility and healthy ageing

Dr Hechtman linked mitochondrial decline to age-related fertility challenges, as well as broader signs of cellular ageing. Ubiquinol, she noted, may help preserve oocyte quality and overall vitality across a woman’s lifespan, making it a smart inclusion in formulations aimed at life-stage-specific health outcomes.

A Strategic Opportunity for Brandholders

As the women’s health category grows, so too does the demand for science-backed, condition-targeted, and life-stage-appropriate solutions. Mitochondrial health—and Ubiquinol’s role in maintaining it—offers brands a powerful platform to unify their messaging across categories for women’s health including fertility and reproduction, energy, cognitive performance and healthy ageing.

Bioavailability, clinical validation, and product trust are increasingly shaping formulation choices. With its well-established bioavailability and 45+ years of research, Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is uniquely positioned to support the next generation of women’s health innovation.

Stay Connected

Download our latest clinical fact sheet detailing the science behind Ubiquinol and women’s health here.

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr Leah Hechtman, Complementary Medicines Australia and everyone who attended or stopped by to connect with the Kaneka Ubiquinol™ team at CMA Innovation Day 2025.