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PQQ Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt

Q: Is PQQ safe for long-term use?

While long-term human data are limited, short-term studies (up to 12 weeks) indicate PQQ is safe and well-tolerated at recommended doses.

Q: How soon do benefits appear?

Cognitive benefits can be observed within 8 weeks of consistent daily supplementation, with further improvements at 12 weeks.

Q: Can PQQ be taken with other supplements?

There are no known contraindications with other supplements, but it's always best to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Q: Is PQQ a vitamin?

PQQ is not officially classified as a vitamin, but it exhibits vitamin-like properties due to its essential role as a cofactor in various biological processes.

Q: Does PQQ improve energy?

Yes, PQQ indirectly improves energy levels by enhancing mitochondrial function and biogenesis, which are crucial for cellular energy production.

Also known as: PQQ disodium salt, Methoxatin disodium salt, Disodium pyrroloquinolinedione tricarboxylate, Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt

Overview

Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (PQQ disodium salt) is a redox-active o-quinone compound, a nutritional cofactor found naturally in some foods and bacteria. The disodium salt form is commonly used in supplements due to its enhanced solubility and stability. It is primarily utilized for its potential to support cognitive function, neuroprotection, and mitochondrial health. PQQ acts as an enzymatic cofactor, modulates mitochondrial biogenesis, and exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research on PQQ is emerging, with a growing body of preclinical and clinical studies, including human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrating its efficacy, particularly for cognitive enhancement and metabolic health.

Benefits

PQQ disodium salt offers several evidence-based benefits. A double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT showed that 20 mg/day of PQQ disodium salt for 12 weeks significantly improved composite memory and verbal memory in adults aged 20-65, with younger adults experiencing benefits in cognitive flexibility and processing speed, and older adults showing memory improvements. PQQ also enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and function, leading to improved energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility, as evidenced by animal and cell studies. Furthermore, preclinical research indicates that PQQ can reduce visceral and hepatic fat accumulation, improve lipid metabolism, and mitigate obesity-related inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines like NLRP3, IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β. It also protects against lipotoxicity and oxidative stress in various tissues and may improve male fertility in obese models. The cognitive benefits are statistically significant, with effects observed as early as 8 weeks.

How it works

PQQ disodium salt primarily functions as a redox cofactor, influencing mitochondrial biogenesis by modulating NAD+-dependent sirtuin activity and key transcription factors such as PGC-1α, NRF-1, NRF-2, and TFAM. This action leads to an increase in the number and function of mitochondria, thereby enhancing cellular energy production. PQQ interacts with various body systems by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, modulating lipid metabolism, and protecting neuronal and reproductive cells. It has been shown to target the PCSK9-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which is implicated in obesity-related inflammation. The disodium salt form improves its solubility, contributing to its bioavailability, and oral supplementation at 20 mg/day has demonstrated effectiveness in human clinical trials.

Side effects

PQQ disodium salt is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for its intended uses, and no significant adverse effects have been reported in human clinical trials at typical doses up to 20 mg/day. Controlled human studies have not documented any common (>5%), uncommon (1-5%), or rare (<1%) side effects. There are no well-documented drug interactions; however, caution is advised when co-administering with other mitochondrial or antioxidant-targeting drugs due to theoretical overlaps in their mechanisms. No specific contraindications have been established. The safety of PQQ in pregnant or lactating women and children has not been well studied, so its use in these populations is not recommended without medical supervision. While beneficial effects have been observed in older adults and obese individuals, further data are needed for other special populations.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose for PQQ disodium salt, as demonstrated in human studies, is 20 mg/day, which has shown significant cognitive benefits in adults. This dosage is also considered the typical optimal range in human research. Higher doses have not been extensively studied in humans, so a maximum safe dose is not clearly established, although animal studies suggest a high safety margin. For optimal benefits, PQQ should be taken daily, with cognitive improvements observed after 8-12 weeks of consistent use. The disodium salt form is recommended due to its enhanced stability and bioavailability. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its absorption or efficacy.

FAQs

Is PQQ safe for long-term use?

While long-term human data are limited, short-term studies (up to 12 weeks) indicate PQQ is safe and well-tolerated at recommended doses.

How soon do benefits appear?

Cognitive benefits can be observed within 8 weeks of consistent daily supplementation, with further improvements at 12 weeks.

Can PQQ be taken with other supplements?

There are no known contraindications with other supplements, but it's always best to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Is PQQ a vitamin?

PQQ is not officially classified as a vitamin, but it exhibits vitamin-like properties due to its essential role as a cofactor in various biological processes.

Does PQQ improve energy?

Yes, PQQ indirectly improves energy levels by enhancing mitochondrial function and biogenesis, which are crucial for cellular energy production.

Research Sources

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/fo/d2fo01515c – This double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT investigated the effects of 20 mg/day PQQ disodium salt on cognitive function in adults. It found significant improvements in memory and cognitive flexibility, with age-dependent effects, confirming PQQ's potential for cognitive enhancement.
https://www.fda.gov/files/food/published/GRAS-Notice-000590--Pyrroloquinoline-quinone.pdf – This FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) notice provides a safety assessment for Pyrroloquinoline quinone, indicating its safety for intended uses in food and supplements, supporting its use in dietary products.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-023-06162-8 – This experimental study in obese mice demonstrated that PQQ inhibits the PCSK9-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, leading to improved lipid metabolism and testicular function. It provides mechanistic insights into PQQ's anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits in obesity models.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10196175/ – This narrative review synthesizes findings from animal and cell studies, highlighting PQQ's role in reducing visceral and hepatic fat, improving mitochondrial function, and mitigating inflammation in obesity models. It underscores the need for human clinical trials to confirm these preclinical observations.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8533503/ – This review article provides an authoritative overview of PQQ, describing its role as a mitochondrial biogenesis modulator, antioxidant, and vitamin-like factor. It details PQQ's mechanisms of action and its potential to improve metabolic flexibility and neuroprotection, drawing from both preclinical and some human data.