PQQ Supplement: Brain-Boosting, Life-Extending Benefits?

October 1, 2024

Tiny but incredibly potent, most people are completely unaware of the existence of the PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) supplement, let alone the myriad of health benefits that it can provide. Besides bumping up energy levels, preliminary research suggests that this compound could also aid in disease prevention, reduce oxidative stress and even act as a natural sleep aid.

In fact, a 2021 Biomolecules study showed that pyrroloquinoline quinone was more than an antioxidant and had strong potential as a therapeutic nutraceutical. In fact, research indicated that PQQ may serve as an essential vitamin-like factor.

Available at health stores and pharmacies across the globe in supplement form, PQQ can also be found in right on your plate in some of the foods you may already regularly enjoy.

Here’s what you need to know about this health-promoting compound, plus how you can get more of it in your diet.

What Is PQQ?

Pyrroloquinoline quinone, also known as PQQ, is a compound found naturally in the soil and certain foods that is believed to help aid in the formation of new mitochondria cells. It’s also produced naturally in your body from other amino acids and found in your tissues and bodily fluids.

PQQ was originally isolated in 1979 and was found to be a cofactor for many enzymatic reactions in bacteria. Researchers later began conducting experiments on pigs and discovered that PQQ had a similar role in many different mammals. Animal studies later revealed that a deficiency in PQQ can impair growth and reproduction in rats.

Found naturally in human breast milk as well as tissues, bodily fluids and certain types of food, humans are also able to synthesize a small amount of PQQ from amino acids in the body. PQQ is considered a non-vitamin growth factor, which is why it’s so critical for growth and development.

PQQ can bring some serious benefits when it comes to your energy, as the mitochondria acts as the battery of the cell and is responsible for generating power. In fact, you can often find PQQ and CoQ10 combined in supplements that are aimed at amping up energy levels and extending the life span.

PQQ also has antioxidant properties, and taking a PQQ supplement is believed to help reduce inflammation, boost brain power and even lower cholesterol levels — as well as provide a host of other powerful health benefits.

Benefits

1. Relieves inflammation

Acute inflammation is a normal response by the immune system that helps fight off foreign invaders and reduce the risk of infection. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can have a detrimental effect on health. In fact, it’s believed that inflammation is at the root of disease and may contribute to chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

PQQ has antioxidant properties that can help neutralize harmful free radicals to prevent cell damage and inflammation. In fact, research published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that PQQ supplementation resulted in significant decreases in many markers of inflammation after just three days.

In the studies, five men and five women drank a fruit-flavored beverage that was supplemented with PQQ, resulting in potential changes in antioxidant potential.

2. Enhances brain function

Although many people start taking a PQQ supplement looking to fight fatigue and kick up energy levels, some research has found that PQQ may actually have a beneficial effect on brain power as well.

A 2016 study found that PQQ was able to increase blood flow to the brain, which could help protect against cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly. In the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, conducted in Japan, 41 healthy elderly people were either given an oral PQQ supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks. The researchers ultimately concluded that “the results suggest that PQQ can prevent reduction of brain function in aged persons, especially in attention and working memory.”

Similarly, an animal study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition showed that PQQ helped prevent neurodegeneration and improved memory in rats thanks to its ability to decrease oxidative damage in the cells.

3. Reduces oxidative stress

PQQ has powerful antioxidant properties, which can help protect the cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by the buildup of harmful free radicals. This could have far-reaching benefits, as studies show that antioxidants play a central role in health and disease.

Multiple studies have confirmed the ability of PQQ to protect against oxidative stress. One test-tube study from Hokkaido University in Japan showed that PQQ helped prevent the death of neuron cells caused by oxidative stress, which could potentially benefit neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

Another animal study found that PQQ could reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting DNA damage, reducing cell death and blocking oxidative stress in mice.

4. May extend life span

Impressively, some studies have actually found that taking a PQQ supplement may have benefits beyond brain health, disease prevention and energy production. In fact, promising new research shows that PQQ could even act as a life extender to help you live longer.

PQQ is integral to the function of the mitochondria, which may be involved in controlling both longevity and the aging process. One animal study published in Experimental Gerontology found that supplementation with PQQ was able to reduce oxidative stress and increase longevity in roundworms.

Keep in mind, though, that current research is limited to test-tube and animal studies, and more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of PQQ on longevity in humans.

5. Promotes mitochondrial function

One of the primary benefits of PQQ is its effect on the mitochondria, which is the organelle that provides energy to the cells. In fact, it’s often combined with other energy-enhancing compounds like CoQ10 to help enhance mitochondrial health.

It works by stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis, or the production of new mitochondrial cells. According to an animal study published in PLoS One, a deficiency in PQQ can actually impair mitochondrial function.

Symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction can include decreased growth, muscle weakness, neurological problems, gastrointestinal issues and an increased risk of infection.

6. Decreases cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout the body that is absolutely essential to health. It makes up the foundation of your cell membranes and is used for the production of hormones, fat-soluble vitamins and bile acids. However, having too much cholesterol can start to clog up your blood vessels, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood and increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Some studies suggest that taking a PQQ supplement could help keep your cholesterol levels in check to reduce your risk of heart disease. A study out of Japan, for example, showed that supplementing with pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt significantly lowered levels of bad LDL cholesterol in 29 adults.

7. Improves sleep

If you’re constantly waking up and still feeling totally drained, PQQ may be able to help. Not only has it been shown to improve sleep quality, but it may also help you fall asleep and stay asleep for longer.

In one study published in Functional Foods in Health & Disease, taking PQQ for eight weeks improved multiple measures of sleep quality, including sleep duration, sleepiness at awakening and the amount of time it took to sleep, in 17 adults.

PQQ Foods and Sources

Although PQQ is available in supplement form to get in a quick and concentrated dose, you can also get pyrroloquinoline quinone from natural food sources. It’s found in most foods but is especially high in certain types of fruits and vegetables, as well as some fermented foods like natto and miso.

Here are some of the best sources of PQQ that you should consider adding to your diet:

Natto
Parsley
Green pepper
Kiwi
Papaya
Spinach
Fava bean
Carrot
Miso
Potato
Sweet potato
Cabbage
Banana
Tomato
Egg yolk
Orange
Celery

Recommended Dosage

If you’re looking to enhance your health, prevent chronic disease and increase your energy levels, upping your intake of PQQ may help. The easiest way is to add more PQQ-rich foods like natto, kiwi and parsley into the mix. If you want to kick up your PQQ intake even more, you can also consider taking a supplement.

To find the best PQQ supplement, be sure to buy from a trusted and reputable brand and opt for a product that is extracted from fermented bacteria over types that have been synthetically produced in a lab.

Note that there is no set PQQ dosage as of yet, but some studies indicate that it can be beneficial in doses as low as two milligrams. Most supplements, however, are found in dosages between 20–40 milligrams, which is generally considered safe and effective for most people. Start at the lower end of the spectrum, and increase your dosage slowly to assess your tolerance. Of course, first discuss with your healthcare professional.

High doses of PQQ have been shown to cause negative side effects in animal studies, with one study showing that 11.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight had toxic effects on the kidneys in rats. Avoid taking extremely high doses to prevent potential adverse health consequences.

Risk Factors and Side Effects

If consuming PQQ from food sources, there is minimal risk of negative side effects. If taking a PQQ supplement, on the other hand, there are some potential PQQ side effects that need to be considered.

First of all, PQQ supplements have not been studied in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s best to stay on the safe side and stick to food sources of PQQ rather than supplements to prevent negative symptoms.

The most commonly reported PQQ side effects include headaches, drowsiness and fatigue. Extremely high doses of PQQ can also be dangerous and have actually been associated with some serious and potentially life-threatening effects on health.

To minimize the risk of side effects, it’s best to use only the recommended dosage. If you do experience any PQQ side effects, decrease your usage and consult with your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.

Conclusions

Pyrroloquinoline quinone, or PQQ, is a type of non-vitamin growth factor found naturally in the soil and certain foods. It’s also produced in the body and is found in human tissue.
It works by promoting the synthesis of new mitochondrial cells, which help provide energy to your cells.
PQQ has been shown in human, test-tube and animal studies to potentially improve sleep, lower cholesterol levels, reduce oxidative stress, extend life span, boost brain function and relieve inflammation.
Some of the best natural sources of PQQ include natto, kiwi, parsley, green peppers, papaya and spinach, along with an assortment of other fruits and vegetables. It’s also available in supplement form.
For best results, try upping your intake of whole foods that are rich in PQQ to enhance the health of your mitochondria and take advantage of the many benefits of PQQ.