In the pursuit of health and longevity, the nutritional supplement market is always emerging new “stars.” In recent years, a compound called PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) has attracted a lot of attention.
PQQ is not only a powerful antioxidant, it is also considered a key nutrient capable of promoting brain health and cognitive function.
What is PQQ?
PQQ, or pyrroloquinoline quinone, is a rare B vitamin compound, often in the form of disodium salt, is a unique and valuable coenzyme.
It occurs naturally in a variety of foods, such as natto, spinach, green peppers, and so on.
While we may not be familiar with it, it quietly plays an important role, and PQQ is unique in its ability to stimulate the biosynthesis of mitochondria, the energy factories of cells that are essential for maintaining cell health.
PQQ Benefits
Numerous scientific studies are gradually revealing more potential of PQQ. Although PQQ is relatively new and clinical research is still continuing, the existing research results have made us full of expectations for its future.
Some preliminary experiments have shown that pyrroloquinoline quinone may play a role in anti-oxidation, improving brain function and so on.
1, PQQ and antioxidant
PQQ has excellent antioxidant capacity, and its antioxidant strength is far more than common antioxidants such as vitamin C.
It can effectively remove free radicals in the body, protect cells from oxidative damage, and build a solid antioxidant defense line for our body, which helps to delay aging and keep the skin young.
Studies have shown that the antioxidant capacity of PQQ is extremely excellent. Under certain experimental conditions, its antioxidant power far exceeds that of common antioxidants such as vitamin C.
For example, in 2017, a research team from Nagoya University in Japan published research results in the Journal of Cell Science,
showing that after injecting pyrroloquinoline quinone into nematodes,
the average life expectancy of nematodes after becoming adults increased from 12.8 days to 16.8 days, extending by about 30%.
The team believes that under the action of PQQ,
the cells in the nematode produce a low concentration of reactive oxygen species, which strengthens the overall defense function.
2, pyrroloquinoline quinone and mitochondria
PQQ has a magical effect on mitochondria. Mitochondria are the “energy factory” of cells, pyrroloquinoline quinone can stimulate the biosynthesis of mitochondria,
improve the level of energy metabolism of cells, so that we have more energy and vitality in daily life,
whether it is work, study or exercise, can be easier to cope with.
In animal studies, researchers at the University of California found that feeding the same group of mice the same amount of pyrroloquinoline quinone for eight weeks more than tripled the number of mitochondria in the mice.
In another animal study, when mice were deprived of pyrroloquinoline quinone in their food, their growth was slower,
their reproductive ability and immunity were significantly reduced, and the number of mitochondria was also reduced, and these symptoms were quickly restored when PQQ was re-added.
This fully proves that pyrroloquinoline quinone plays a significant role in promoting mitochondrial regeneration.
3, pyrroloquinoline quinone and brain health
Studies have found that PQQ has a positive protective effect on the nervous system. It can reduce neuroinflammation, promote the growth and repair of neurons, and has potential value in improving cognitive function,
preventing neurodegenerative diseases, and safeguarding our brain health.
A research team from Nantong University found in 2016 that PQQ had neuroprotective effects on rotenone-induced midbrain neuron damage and Parkinson’s disease in rats.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are two major causes of Parkinson’s disease, and pyrroloquinoline quinone can protect SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced cytotoxicity.
Preconditioning with pyrroloquinoline quinone can prevent rotenone-induced apoptosis,
restore mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibit the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).
In a study of healthy men who completed a 6-week aerobic training program,
those who took 20 mg of PQQ daily more than doubled their PGC-1α levels,
while the increase in this mitochondria-producing protein was significantly smaller in men who took a placebo.
This suggests that pyrroloquinoline quinone helps promote brain health and neuroprotection.
4, pyrroloquinoline quinone and inflammation
In a study published in the journal of Inflammation,
scientists divided mice with rheumatoid arthritis into two groups and gave one group intraperitoneal injections of PQQ. After 45 days, the mice injected with pyrroloquinoline quinone showed significant reduction in inflammation.
Mice that did not receive pyrroloquinoline quinone showed smaller gaps between joints, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and cartilage damage.
In human clinical trials, a group of cells that simulated chondrocyte inflammation in a test tube were injected with pyrroloquinoline quinone, and the results showed that the group of chondrocytes without PQQ had significantly increased levels of the collagen-degrading enzyme.
This shows that pyrroloquinoline quinone can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors in synovial cells that become fibrosis in joints,
inhibit the activation of nuclear transcription factors that cause inflammation, and reduce the activity of specific enzymes, so as to protect joints.
5, PQQ and other health aspects
A clinical trial found a slight decrease in average LDL from 136.1 mg/dl to 127.0mg/dl in patients taking PQQ.
Other clinical trials have found that PQQ can promote sleep and reduce inflammatory markers;
In animal studies, pyrroloquinoline quinone has also been found to improve blood sugar control, insulin levels, and insulin sensitivity,
reduce harmful inflammatory cytokines, promote healthier blood lipid levels, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, and may help prevent unhealthy heart hypertrophy. Reduces the risk of heart failure and other heart conditions.
Security of PQQ
The safety of pyrroloquinoline quinone has been widely studied and recognized.
In 2022, PQQ passed the approval of the China Health Commission and became an official certified “three new food” raw material;
On February 2, 2023, the National Health Commission issued a new announcement of acceptance of PQQ,
and its production process is microbial fermentation method, and has passed the technical review,
which once again shows that the safety of pyrroloquinoline quinone has affirmed. At the same time, PQQ is also a new raw material for cosmetics in China.
pyrroloquinoline quinone is also a collection of five global authority certification.
In 2012, Health Canada (HC) approved PQQ as a natural health food.
In 2016, PQQ obtained GRAS certification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the European Commission (ESFA) have also certified pyrroloquinoline quinone.
In terms of dosage, studies have shown that in a controlled double-blind clinical trial in humans,
volunteers took pyrroloquinoline quinone at a dose of 60 mg per day for one month without adverse reactions and no changes in markers of kidney damage.
Moreover, PQQ has similar metabolic dynamics with vitamin B group and does not accumulate in large quantities in the body.
The FDA report also pointed out that healthy adults of about 60 kg who ingested 240 mg of PQQ per day did not see adverse reactions.
Although PQQ has a high safety profile,
it is still necessary to follow the product instructions when using PQQ supplements and not to take excessive amounts.
Especially for some special groups, such as infants, pregnant women and breastfeeding women,
due to the current lack of food safety data on pyrroloquinoline quinone in these groups, from the principle of risk prevention,
such groups should not consumed, and the product label and instruction manual should also marked with unsuitable groups and limits.
How to get PQQ?
We can consume a certain amount of PQQ through our daily diet, which is widely present in a variety of common foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains and drinks, and its concentration ranges from 3.65 to 61ng/mL.
PQQ is also found in human red blood cells, neutrophils, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, and bile. The total content of pyrroloquinoline quinone in human milk is 140-180ng/ml,
suggesting that it may play a very important role in the growth and development of newborn infants.
PQQ is found in most foods, but is particularly high in certain types of fruits and vegetables and in some fermented foods such as natto and miso.
For example: Natto, coriander, green pepper, kiwi, papaya, spinach, broad beans, carrots, miso, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, bananas, tomatoes, egg yolks, oranges, celery, etc.
But the amount in food is often limited. Therefore, some high-quality nutritional supplements have become an effective way to obtain PQQ.
When choosing PQQ products, pay attention to choosing a regular brand, check the ingredient list, and ensure that it contains high purity pyrroloquinoline quinone and no undesirable additions.
PQQ, a substance full of potential, is opening up new possibilities for our health. Let continue to pay attention to the research progress of pyrroloquinoline quinone, and make reasonable use of this amazing nutrient to add points to your health.