Tuesday 12 February 2019

PQQ benefits - Pyrroloquinoline Quinone - Mitochondrial Biogenesis

PQQ benefits and how they help the brain

Have you been looking for a supplement to combat ageing? Well PQQ may be it. Scientists found out about this compound only 50 years ago. There have been several health studies conducted about the potential benefits it provides the human body, the brain in particular.


What is PQQ?
PQQ is like a bodyguard to a man’s brain. PQQ is the acronym for pyrroloquinoline quinone. It is a compound found naturally in breast milk, soil, and certain foods. Pyrroloquinoline quinone PQQ helps the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cells) thrive and continue to give us good health and longevity. According to researchers, PQQ provides neuroprotection, aiding in the formation of new mitochondria cells in the brain. This is very important if you wish to fight ageing issues such as loss of cognitive abilities and decreased energy levels.
Health benefits of PQQ pyrroloquinoline quinone
Here are the 13 health benefits that PQQ may provide you.
Treats obesity
PQQ may be a feasible weight loss solution. A study using rats showed that a diet deficient of PQQ reduced their metabolism by 10 per cent. Another study conducted on obese infant mice discovered that supplementing with PQQ increased their metabolism, reduced body fat, and may prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. To further validate PQQ as an effective remedy against obesity, research on humans needs to be conducted.

Relieves inflammation
Inflammation opens the floodgate to slew of health problems, including accelerated ageing and neurological problems. Chronic inflammation in the brain is common to many neurodegenerative ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.  PQQ may be able to combat this problem. Research shows that individuals who supplement with PQQ are protected against brain inflammation. Another study conducted on animals showed that PQQ has the ability to protect against inflammation may decrease the effects of traumatic brain injuries (e.g., concussion).

Enhances brain function
One of the main benefits of this compound is how much it enhances brain functionality. It stimulates the production and release of brand-new nerve cells (called nerve growth factor) that assist in neural tasks. These nerve cells communicate with each other to ensure that organs and other bodily functions are running smoothly. Studies appear to show that PQQ improves the memory, thinking, learning, and other cognitive abilities in ageing adults. In addition, research shows that PQQ has the ability to heal and rejuvenate damaged nerve cells, particularly in the brain.

Reduces oxidative stress
Oxidative stress can cause many different diseases – cancer, brain disorders, diabetes, heart problems, and more. This happens when an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant defense occurs; a problem worsened by aging. PQQ helps boost the production of DJ-1, a protein that supports healthy brain function. This protein fights off oxidative stress by enhancing cell function and survival. In addition, PQQ protects new nerve cells from oxidative damage. This allows these nerve cells to survive and be able to potentially form new brain cells.

May extend lifespan
This compound may be able to improve your longevity. As one gets older, the brain suffers from multiple sources of damage. As the damage accumulates over time, this usually leads to the formation of brain disorders and chronic diseases such as stroke. Supplementing with PQQ may help guard against these neurological issues, especially as one gets older. And a big reason for this is because of its support of the mitochondria. Research shows that PQQ aids in the creation of new mitochondrial content. This increases longevity as well as improve energy utilisation and protection from free radicals.

Promotes mitochondrial function
Piggybacking off the last benefit, PQQ is a big proponent of the mitochondria. It aids and supports the mitochondria by promoting new content as well as improving the function of the current mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for transforming the food we eat into the energy needed to power our cells. This allows our cells to perform at peak function. Aiding the mitochondria promotes longevity and reducing the onset of age-related diseases. A human study showed that supplementing with PQQ rejuvenates mitochondrial function and restore new mitochondrial numbers. The study also showed improvements in the participants’ urinary oxidant levels, an indicator that the mitochondria are performing well.

Decreases cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to serve a lot of functions, including the creation of Vitamin D and hormones. The problem lies when a man has too much cholesterol. High cholesterol clogs up blood vessels, making the heart work harder to perform its daily tasks. Ultimately, this may lead to a heart attack and/or a stroke. PQQ may help regulate cholesterol levels. A Japanese study showed that individuals who supplemented with PQQ disodium salt lowered their bad LDL cholesterol levels.

Improves sleep, mood, and fatigue
Millions of men don’t get enough sleep on a nightly basis. Poor sleep quality is linked to a slew of chronic diseases such as stroke. In addition, a lack of sleep negatively affects your mood and causes fatigue throughout the day. PQQ may be what you need if you have had issues getting good quality sleep. A 2-month research study showed that individuals who used PQQ improved overall sleep quality. They were able to fall asleep with no issues and slept longer. Also, the subjects showed significant improvements in their mood and energy levels.

Improves memory and reasoning
The biggest issue most men face as they get older is the loss of cognitive function. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, men are at greater risk of developing age-related cognitive deficiencies that often cause memory loss and the inability to think clearly. Several studies point out how PQQ could reverse this trend. PQQ may prevent brain decline that stems from ageing. Human and animal studies demonstrate its ability to improve one’s memory and reasoning skills. The main reason for this is due to PQQ’s ability to trigger mitochondrial growth and reduce oxidative stress.

Protects your heart from stroke
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2015 were in men. PQQ may be able to curtail those statistics. An animal study showed that PQQ improves cardiac functions and reduce damages for heart attack sufferers. And these benefits can happen when PQQ is taken before or after the heart attack occurred.

Another study compared the effects of PQQ to standard heart attack medicine (metoprolol). Both reduced the size of the damaged areas and protected against further trauma. However, PQQ did a better job of reducing cellular damage. This led researchers to deem the compound as the superior medicine to protect the heart against oxidative stress. Further evidence has shown that PQQ is highly effective at supporting mitochondrial function within the heart cells.

Decreases insulin resistance
Insulin resistance interferes with our ability to effectively regulate our sugar intake. This can lead to health problems such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Similar to exercise, PQQ reduces insulin resistance by boosting mitochondrial activity in muscle cells. The compound also inhibits, PTP1B, a protein that’s been shown to cause insulin resistance. (High levels of this protein is found in people suffering from breast cancer)

Improves immune health
It is widely known how essential it is to have an efficient immune system. An efficient immune system prevents the onset of chronic diseases and fights off inflammation. A study showed that mice lacking enough PQQ experienced poor immune function. In another mice study, increased intake of the compound boosted immune health. It did this by increasing levels of two vital immune regulators: CD8+ cells and lymphocytes.

PQQ is neuroprotective against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and cognitive injuries
One thing you definitely know by now is that PQQ is neuroprotective. This compound does a good job of protecting memory and cognitive skills. The worst diseases deriving from poor brain health is Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Both diseases affect millions of people worldwide, the elderly in particular. PQQ may protect against the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s disease.

One study shows that it protects the brain against powerful toxins and proteins that are associated with these cognitive diseases. And the compound protects neurons from overstimulation, a condition called excitotoxicity. Excitotoxicity of the neurons is associated with seizures, schizophrenia, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

How to take PQQ
PQQ dosage
Here are the recommended dosage amounts for PQQ supplements:

To boost mitochondrial activity in your cells….0.075 to 0.3mg/kg per day
To decrease chronic inflammation in the average-size male….20mg per day

Food
Supplementation of PQQ is great. But to really maximise your exposure to the compound, your diet should consist of PQQ-rich natural food sources and plant-based foods. Here is a list of such foods:

Sweet Potato
Parsley
Egg Yolk
Cabbage
Natto
Papaya
Green Pepper
Carrot
Spinach
Fava Bean
Miso
Kiwi
Celery
Potato
Orange
Banana
Tomato
Green Peppers
PQQ supplement
After combing through a litany of online stores, here are five PQQ supplements that have gained a ton of favorable reviews. (Note: This is not a top five list.)

Doctor’s Best, Best PQQ, 20 mg, 30 Veggie Caps
Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH+ PQQ, 30 Softgels
Swanson Ultra: PQQ Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
PQQ + CoQ10 – 60 Capsules – Oral Supplement for Cardiovascular and Mental Support by Dr’s Hope
PQQ 20mg (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) 30 Vegecaps
PQQ side effects and dangers
As with any supplement, there is a likelihood of side effects. PPQ is no different. In one study, rats were given a dosage as high as 100mg/kg per day but experienced no side effects. However, some humans who took the compound experienced insomnia, mild headaches, and even energy crashes during the midday. The reason for these side effects could be that they either took too much or their body is sensitive to a direct dosage of pyrroloquinoline quinone.

Either way, it is wise to start off with a small dose (0.075mg) for at least one week. If you can handle that, feel free to slightly increase the dosage. It’s recommended that you don’t take no more than 20mg per day.

PQQ supplement may be the next best supplement for men
Protein powder and fish oils may have to make room for PQQ. This compound shows a lot of promise, especially for older men. PQQ may be the best anti-ageing supplement/nutrient that most guys don’t know about. Some who have supplemented with it felt that it immediately:

Improved their mood
Improved their focus and ability to remember things
Boosted their energy levels
Improved workout performance
And those are just the immediate benefits. Other benefits such as lower cholesterol and an improved immune system will obviously take time to manifest. Overall, pyrroloquinoline quinone is a substance that you should consider getting acquainted with as you get older.