Nootropic products are touted for their purported effects on different aspects of cognition. Although there is nothing wrong with this, especially when they deliver on their promises, the holy grail remains a supplement that can do this while improving overall health.
With Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), the prospects for not only increasing cognition but health and longevity are tangible.
A study demonstrated that not only does PQQ induce mitochondrial biogenesis, but is more effective at lower doses than other known assistants in mitochondria manufacturing. The illustrious list of compounds that PQQ eclipses includes powerful antioxidants like resveratrol and Genistein. (Chowanadisai, 2010). Continuous mitochondria production is essential to living a longer life and avoiding many age-related diseases.
Its benefits go beyond cognitive enhancement or being a “longevity vitamin” (Ames, 2018) as animal studies show promising results in the treatment of type-2 diabetes, (Takada, 2012) and cardiac infarctions. (Zhu, 2004)
The administration of PQQ reduced the size of cardiac infarctions and improved overall heart health in the afflicted subjects. (Zhu, 2004) Considering the stunning observation and its implications for general heart health, one can only lament that more human trials have not taken place.
With the promising benefits PQQ may confer, it would be worthwhile to add it to any health-conscious supplemental regimen. Yet for those of us who thirst for products to sharpen our mental acuity, PQQ proves to be an exciting and powerful nootropic.
More than one study on healthy human subjects demonstrated the profound cognitive-enhancing effects of the oral administration of PQQ. This nootropic is observed physiologically to increase blood-flow in the prefrontal cortex. (Itoh, 2016)
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, when subjects were given tests that quantify the faculties of attention and working memory, the group that received PQQ astonishingly outperformed the other group with significant increases in test scores. (Itoh, 2016)
A separate study demonstrated an outstanding increase in scores on language-tasks for the PQQ group while little improvement was found in the placebo group. (Yamada, 2020)
Oral administration at recommended doses rarely produces any unwanted side-effects. If we are to treat ourselves to this grade-A nootropic, we should choose a grade-A company such as Double Wood Supplements, to ensure the purity and potency of the product. May we all live longer, better, and smarter!
References
Chowanadisai W, Bauerly KA, Tchaparian E, Wong A, Cortopassi GA, Rucker RB. Pyrroloquinoline quinone stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and increased PGC-1alpha expression. J Biol Chem. 2010;285(1):142-152. doi:10.1074/jbc.M109.030130
Ames BN. Prolonging healthy aging: Longevity vitamins and proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018;115(43):10836-10844. doi:10.1073/pnas.1809045115
Takada M, Sumi M, Maeda A, Watanabe F, Kamiya T, Ishii T, Nakano M, Akagawa M. Pyrroloquinoline quinone, a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor, activates insulin signaling in C2C12 myotubes and improves impaired glucose tolerance in diabetic KK-A(y) mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012 Nov 16;428(2):315-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.055. Epub 2012 Oct 22. PMID: 23085227.
Zhu BQ, Zhou HZ, Teerlink JR, Karliner JS. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) decreases myocardial infarct size and improves cardiac function in rat models of ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2004 Nov;18(6):421-31. doi: 10.1007/s10557-004-6219-x. PMID: 15770429.
Itoh Y, Hine K, Miura H, Uetake T, Nakano M, Takemura N, Sakatani K. Effect of the Antioxidant Supplement Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt (BioPQQ™) on Cognitive Functions. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;876:319-325. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3023-4_40. PMID: 26782228.
Yamada Y, Nishii K, Kuwata K, et al. Effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone and imidazole pyrroloquinoline on biological activities and neural functions. Heliyon. 2020;6(1):e03240. Published 2020 Jan 29. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03240
