What Is PQQ?
Scientists first discovered pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as a “coenzyme” in biochemical reactions in bacteria. But in the late 1990s, they found that PQQ also plays a role in mammalian biochemistry.
PQQ has been found in interstellar dust, indicating its ancient origins. This suggests that living organisms have been exposed to and likely utilized PQQ since the beginning of time.
PQQ is a unique nutrient essential for growth and development. It acts as an antioxidant within your cells, counteracting free radical damage and aiding in cellular communication.
Did you know that PQQ helps your body make new mitochondria? Most importantly, PQQ stimulates “mitochondrial biogenesis” — the creation of new mitochondria. Until recently, scientists believed that only strict caloric restriction, exercise, and certain medications could achieve this. This is significant news!
As you age, your mitochondria wear down, causing your cells to age more rapidly and potentially leading to age-related diseases. Researchers have discovered that individuals over the age of 70 have 15 times more mitochondrial damage than those in their 40s. Could PQQ help? Let’s find out more.
Top PQQ Benefits
PQQ can positively impact your health in numerous ways. Let’s explore how.
Supports Mitochondrial Function
Mitochondria are the “energy production plants” in your cells, providing virtually all the energy needed to keep your body functioning. As you age, the number of healthy mitochondria declines.
It may take only three days to boost mitochondrial function using PQQ! According to several studies, PQQ helps cells produce more mitochondria. While human studies are limited, at least one clinical trial found that PQQ supplementation boosted mitochondrial function. Individuals taking PQQ had enhanced mitochondrial functions after only three days!
Protects Brain Health
Not too long ago, scientists widely believed that damaged neurons (nerve cells) could not repair themselves. Eventually, researchers discovered nerve growth factor (NGF) — a small protein that protects existing neurons and encourages new ones to grow.
PQQ stimulates normal levels of nerve growth factor production, which protects nerve cells and supports healthy nerve cell growth. In one preliminary study, PQQ protected brain cells against damage when exposed to toxins. In other words, PQQ may be “neuroprotective,” meaning it helps protect healthy brain cells.
Improves Learning & Memory
Did you know that free radicals can impact your attention span and learning skills? As we age, our brains are more susceptible to damage caused by harmful free radicals in the environment. This can impact attention span, the ability to learn, and memory.
If you are first exposed to some type of oxidative stress (usually caused by free radical damage) and later take PQQ, it may improve memory and reduce the harm caused to cells. If you find yourself growing more forgetful, PQQ might help. When a group of older adults took a PQQ supplement each day for 12 weeks, the results were promising. Participants reported improvements both in focus and in their ability to remember.
Promotes a Healthy Heart
Your heart contains more mitochondria than any other organ in the body because it pumps 24/7 and requires a lot of energy to keep running properly. PQQ supports your cardiovascular system with its potent antioxidant and mitochondria-making properties. Studies have found that PQQ supports normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (also known as “bad” cholesterol), promoting a healthy heart.
Recent research into the role that mitochondria play in heart health has provided insights into new potential strategies for maintaining a healthy heart while aging. Because PQQ supports mitochondrial health and function, it is known as a cardioprotective nutrient.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between harmful free radicals that enter the body from the environment and the antioxidants that work to eliminate them. In older adults, oxidative stress can lead to poor health, chronic inflammation, and frailty.
PQQ is an antioxidant that can enhance the body’s resistance to oxidative stress. This is promising news — by reducing oxidative stress in the body, PQQ may give you the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life, aging gracefully.
Improves Sleep
Sick of counting sheep? If you struggle with falling and staying asleep, PQQ could bring more restful nights. Individuals who experienced daytime fatigue and sleep troubles were given PQQ supplements for eight weeks. They reported significant improvements in sleep duration, the amount of time it took to fall asleep, and how alert they felt in the mornings.
Pro tip: Give PQQ supplements a try to promote more restful sleep! As we continue to explore exactly how PQQ improves sleep, researchers believe it promotes normal levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body, improving sleep quality and leading to happier moods.
Increases Your Energy
It takes a lot of energy to get through our busy days in this modern world. Most of us require a full night of restful sleep each night to feel well-rested and energized. People taking PQQ over eight weeks reported significant improvements in their energy levels.
But catching more ZZZs isn’t the only reason why PQQ may improve energy. Since mitochondria produce energy for cells and PQQ stimulates the production of mitochondria, you may also see an overall boost of energy during the day.
Promotes a Healthy Immune System
You’ve likely heard that vitamin C is good for the immune system when you’re feeling under the weather. Remarkably, PQQ has 100 times more antioxidant power than vitamin C, giving a much-desired boost to the immune system.
PQQ’s antioxidant capacity is remarkable! It has 100 times more power than vitamin C. Depriving organisms of PQQ causes growth impairment and compromises immune systems. As mentioned above, taking PQQ supplements counteracts free radical damage, which is the essence of what an antioxidant does.
May Help You Lose Weight
Eating a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet and getting regular exercise are the two best ways to lose extra weight. However, some foods and supplements can give your metabolism a kick. PQQ may help support your weight loss efforts by stimulating the body to produce more mitochondria, which boosts metabolism. Eating a PQQ-deficient diet can lead to fewer mitochondria and a slower metabolism.
PQQ activates a “master regulator” known as PGC-1a, which tells genes to make more mitochondria. With more mitochondria and more cellular energy comes a better-balanced body weight and metabolism.
Food Sources for PQQ
You can find PQQ in most plant-based foods, but some have higher concentrations of this essential micronutrient. PQQ-rich foods include:
Kiwi fruit, Papaya, Green peppers, Parsley, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Green tea
PQQ Side Effects & Precautions
Consuming PQQ in foods is safe with no known negative side effects. It has likely been a part of our biochemistry since life began. Side effects from short-term PQQ supplementation are rare and unlikely to occur unless consumed in extremely high doses.
PQQ supplements have not been tested for safety in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is best to stick to food sources if you are pregnant or nursing. If you are taking a PQQ supplement, it is important to follow the recommended daily quantity.
Combining PQQ & CoQ10
PQQ and CoQ10 are effective alone but may be stronger together. Ubiquinone — otherwise known as CoQ10 — is a vitamin-like substance the body uses to convert fats and sugars into cellular energy. Like PQQ, CoQ10 is an antioxidant that supports mitochondrial health. I recommend Global Healing’s CoQ10 & BioPQQ with Shilajit — a synergistic blend of antioxidants that protect your mitochondria — tiny energy-producers inside your cells.
When paired together, these molecules promoted healthy cognitive function even better than each alone. People who took PQQ and CoQ10 together performed better on visual and verbal memory tests than either supplement alone. It appears that this combination may boost memory and attention span.
Points to Remember
PQQ has a positive impact on your health and well-being because it appears to promote the production of new mitochondria in the body. Your body requires healthy mitochondria for optimal health — this is particularly important with age. Also, thanks to its antioxidant properties, PQQ does battle with free radicals in your body, promoting better health.
The health benefits of this powerful “fountain of youth” molecule are plentiful: PQQ can promote healthy memory and focus, help you get better sleep and feel more energized, and boost your immune system to help you stay healthy. Not only that, but PQQ may help you maintain a healthy weight and support heart health.
Do you use PQQ? How has it impacted you? Comment below!
