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PQQ: Magnificent Benefits in Multiple Arenas

By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition

May 30, 2015

PQQ: Magnificent Benefits in Multiple Arenas
PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone), a novel cofactor with B vitamin like-activity and antioxidant function, provides powerful support for a wide range of functions in the body. Numerous studies have indicated that PQQ supports brain, cognitive, and nerve health, mitochondria biogenesis or birth of new mitochondria, energy production, and stress tolerance. The antioxidant status of PQQ is 5,000 times more potent than vitamin C. It is a commanding nutrient with remarkable potential.

Sources of PQQ


Discovered in 1979, PQQ is a small quinone compound with vitamin-like properties and a massively powerful redox agent or an extreme antioxidant. It is heat stable and water soluble. It is found in very small amounts in all live plants, animals, humans, and soil. Some of the highest food sources are found in green tea, fermented natto, spinach, green peppers, parsley, and kiwi. It is also found in higher amounts in human breast milk, as it is vital for normal cellular growth and development.

Mitochondria Biogenesis, Lactic Acid


Some of the most promising benefits of PQQ are with mitochondrial biogenesis or the birth and regulation of healthy mitochondria. Mitochondria are small energy or ATP producing structures found in cells throughout the entire body. Skeletal, heart, and smooth muscle and the brain have the highest amounts and need for healthy mitochondria in order to function. Mitochondria burn glucose and fat for fuel generating energy for the entire body.

Another function of PQQ is the reduction of lactic acid production. Symptoms of too much lactic acid waste products are muscle fatigue and cramps. This is what you feel after a strenuous work-out.

A study involving adults measured levels of lactic acid and other metabolic fatigue markers and the effect of PQQ. Participants were given 20 mg of PQQ. The metabolic cellular waste products lactic acid and pyruvic acid were reduced 15 percent after just one week. PQQ promoted mitochondrial proliferation, cell membrane stabilization, cellular energy, and mitochondrial efficiency.

Stress Tolerance and Sleep

A clinical trial with a small group of adults found that PQQ supported stress tolerance, improved sleep, and increased energy. The dosage used was 20 mg of PQQ daily for 8 weeks.


PQQ offers a tantalizing array of possibilities because of its redox capacity and how it recycles itself when interacting with glutathione. It clearly offers a major supportive, proactive tool in many different systems of the human body. Take PQQ for a test drive today!

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