About

In the past decade scientists have begun to understand PQQ’s importance to human health. PQQ might be best described as the defender and protector of the body’s energy-generating mitochondria. Not only is PQQ an extremely potent antioxidant, PQQ is unique in it’s ability to initiate the development of brand new mitochondria! When combined with CoQ10, PQQ may provide the best combination to promote Concentration, Memory and Mental Sharpness.

PQQ is the newest discovered essential vitamin, it was virtually unknown until 1979. By 2003 Science was beginning to truly understand PQQ’s importance and suggested that it may belong to the B Vitamin Family. Mitochondria are considered the engines of our cells, they give our cells the power to keep life going, a car without an engine is not going to take you very far. Our cells without mitochondria cannot keep our bodies functioning. What does this have to do with PQQ?

PQQ is likened to the cars’ body that protects the engine (mitochondria) from exposure and damage. Without the protection of PQQ our engine (mitochondria) would rust, breakdown and eventually cease to function. Just as car engines need protection, our mitochondria are completely vulnerable to free radical damage. PQQ is the body’s essential antioxidant, whose mission is to protect the mitochondria from constant onslaught of free radical damage.

According to a University of California at Davis study, PQQ is 30 to 5,000 times more efficient in sustaining mitochondrial energy production than the other common antioxidant compounds!

If you are not yet convinced of PQQ’s importance, in 2010 the science world was shocked when researchers discovered that PQQ besides safeguarding our mitochondria, also stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis, in other words-the development of brand new mitochondria, brand new engines for cells!

As we age free radical slowly break us down and cellular repairs become weaker and weaker. Joints become less cushioned, skin losses it elasticity and brain cells slowly lose their cognitive function-memory, recall, ability to learn new skills. In one study, researchers found evidence of 50% more mitochondrial damage in the brain cells of people over 70 compared to those in middle-aged individuals. Pretty discouraging, right? Well hold on- According to a 2007 scientific review in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, age-related mitochondrial dysfunction can be reversed. CoQ10 & PQQ work together to support, protect and establish mitochondrial repair and new mitochondrial production! In 2009 researchers concluded that combining CoQ10 and PQQ amplified both compounds and may support the reversal of age-related cognitive damage!

Every year now it seems that new, exciting, revolutionary data in regards to PQQ’s significant roles within the body is established. Including recent studies indicating PQQ’s role in heart health and further data further proving PQQ’s neuroprotective effectiveness. As more is discovered regarding PQQ, it’s importance in providing optimal health and slowing the negative effects of age will grow in awareness and confirm that PQQ is becoming a prized addition to everyone’s dietary supplement must have list.

 

  1. Kasahara, T. (2003). Nutritional biochemistry: A new redox-cofactor vitamin for mammals.Nature, 2003 April 24;422:832. Download full text:  http://www.brain.riken.jp/labs/mdmd/pqq/pqq-in-nature.pdf
  2. Lanza IR, Nair KS. Full text: Mitochondrial function as a determinant of life span.Pflugers Arch. 2010 Jan;459(2):277-89.
  3. Robb EL, Page MM, Stuart JA. Mitochondria, cellular stress resistance, somatic cell depletion and lifespan. Curr Aging Sci. 2009 Mar;2(1):12-27.
  4. Alexeyev MF, LeDoux SP, Wilson GL. Mitochondrial DNA and aging. Clin Sci (Lond). 2004 Oct;107(4):355-64.
  5. Stites T, Storms D, Bauerly K, et al. Full text: Pyrroloquinoline quinone modulates mitochondrial quantity and function in mice. J Nutr. 2006 Feb;136(2):390-6.
  6. Steinberg F, Stites TE, Anderson P, et al. Full text: Pyrroloquinoline quinone improves growth and reproductive performance in mice fed chemically defined diets. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2003 Feb;228(2):160-6.
  7. Bauerly KA, Storms DH, Harris CB, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone nutritional status alters lysine metabolism and modulates mitochondrial DNA content in the mouse and rat.Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Nov;1760(11):1741-8.
  8. Stites, TE; Mitchell, AE; Rucker, RB (2000). Full text: Physiological importance of quinoenzymes and the O-quinone family of cofactors.The Journal of Nutrition130 (4): 719–27.
  9. Chowanadisai W, et al. Full text: Pyrroloquinoline quinone stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and increased PGC-1 alpha expression.J Biol Chem. 2010 Jan 1;285:142-52.
  10. Mecocci P, et al. Oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA shows marked age-dependent increases in human brain. Ann Neurol. 1993 Oct;34(4):609-16.
  11. Conley KE, et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction and age.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Nov 2007;10(6):688-692.
  12. Nakano M, et al. [Effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on mental status of middle-aged and elderly persons.] FOOD Style 21. 2009;13(7):50-3. (Article in Japanese; referenced in English-language literature.)
  13. Kobayashi M, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) prevents fibril formation of alpha-synuclein. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Oct 27;349(3):1139-44.
  14. Kim J, et al. Full text: Pyrroloquinoline quinone inhibits the fibrillation of amyloid proteins. Prion. 2010 Jan;4(1):26-31.
  15. Zhang JJ, et al. Protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone against Abeta-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.Neurosci Lett. 2009 Oct 30;464(3):165-9
  16. Zhu BQ, et al. Comparison of pyrroloquinoline quinone and/or metoprolol on myocardial infarct size and mitochondrial damage in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion injury.J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Jun;11(2):119-28.
  17. Pametti L, et al. Choline alphoscerate in cognitive decline and in acute cerebrovascular disease: an analysis of published clinical data. Mech Ageing Dev. 2001 Nov;122(16):2041-55.