Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) is a vitamin-like compound essential for proper cellular function, growth, and overall health. PQQ is a small quinone molecule that acts as an antioxidant by reducing oxidants and then being recycled by glutathione back into an active form. It is found in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods, but the amount is small and therefore not enough to provide a significant impact on health.
Studies show that PQQ raises blood flow to the cerebral cortex, which is the part of the brain that helps with attention, thinking, and memory. PQQ is also shown to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, produce nerve growth factor, and enhance mitochondrial function.
A study reported that the incremental addition of PQQ to 800μg/Kg improved antioxidant defenses, decreased inflammation, and had positive effects. Another study showed that PQQ may have a radioprotective effect, possible benefits to insulin resistance, and being a growth factor when PQQ is added to the diet over a long period of time.
The optimal dosage of PQQ to be taken daily is currently not known, but extrapolations from animal studies suggest that a dose of 20mg/day is safe for adults. There are no known side effects of PQQ, and early research has not observed any adverse effects when taking the recommended dosage.
Sources:
- https://healthnews.com/nutrition/vitamins-and-supplements/pqq-supplements/
- https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2015/10/15/pyrroloquinoline-quinone-pqq-an-unproved-supplement/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26168402/
- https://keep.health/pqq-pyrroloquinoline-quinone/
- https://drlewisclarke.com/pqq-the-benefits-and-why-your-brain-cells-need-it/
- https://examine.com/supplements/pqq/
