THE IMPORTANCE OF PQQ TO OUR HEALTH
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinine) was discovered back in 1964 and was later classified as a B-Vitamin. PQQ is not made by the body and must be obtained from food or supplements as is true of most B-Vitamins. Like other B vitamins, it is water soluble. It is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables and human breast milk. It is produced by certain bacteria using a series of amino acids.
PQQ is found primarily in the cytoplasm of cells. Cytoplasm is what holds the components of a cell together and protects the cells components from damage. A major component of cells is the mitochondria. Mitochondria are present by the billions in the body. It has been determined that there are around 10 million billion (100,000 trillion) mitochondria in an adult human with around 2 billion being made every second throughout a person's life. Mitochondria virtually turn the food we eat into usable energy. They're also responsible for cell signaling, cellular differentiation, cell growth, and cell death. It is in the mitochondria where the molecule ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is produced. ATP is the primary source of energy for the body.
Malfunction of the mitochondria is recognized by scientists as a major cause of the aging process. Mitochondria possess little self protection from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons that if not controlled can do extensive damage to the mitochondria. This is where PQQ comes to the rescue. PQQ is a very potent free radical fighting agent that provides a high level of protection to the mitochondria from free radical damage.
One of the chief functions of PQQ is to protect the mitochondria from oxidative damage. Research has shown PQQ to be thousands of times more potent as an antioxidant than vitamin C. By protecting the mitochondria from damage, PQQ actually slows down the aging process. Damaged mitochondria are seen as responsible for many diseases.
PQQ has been shown to stimulate the production of important enzymes that are involved in producing energy in the mitochondria. Researchers have discovered that PQQ regulates the activity of a human enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase. This enzyme is involved with the production of energy throughout the body. What is most noteworthy about PQQ is that it is the only known nutrient that causes the generation of new mitochondria in aging cells.
Recent studies have shown PQQ to stimulate a compound called NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) which repairs damaged nerves and generates new nerve growth. Some studies have shown PQQ to be an impediment to brain shrinkage as we age. Other research has shown PQQ to reduce damage due to strokes and spinal cord injuries and to help in the treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. PQQ inhibits a gene called DJ-1 from self-oxidizing. It is this gene that can lead to Parkinson’s disease when it oxidizes. PQQ has been shown to defend nerve cells from the damaging effects of amyloid-beta protein which has been linked to both Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research has shown PQQ to positively affect cognitive function in humans. In a 2009 randomized, double-blind study involving 71 middle aged individuals, a dose of 20 milligrams of PQQ was administered daily over a three month period. This study showed a significant improvement in memory, attention, and general cognition in those taking the PQQ. When CoQ10 was added to the regimen the positive results were even greater.
While PQQ is found in certain vegetables and fruits, such foods provide only small microgram amounts of this nutrient (1000 micrograms equal 1 milligram). Current research indicates an intake of 20 milligrams per day produce the kind of benefits described in the 2009 study.
At Milk ‘N Honey we carry a PQQ supplement from the company Nature’s Plus. This product provides 60 capsules of PQQ at 20 milligrams per capsule. The recommended dosage is one capsule per day.