PQQ - 🌿 Kindness - Spreading Goodness And Kindness To The World

Longevity

&

PQQ

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He explains that after years of eating oil ... it causes Alzheimer ... at about 45 minutes ...

and explains how it does it ... THIS WAS ALL BY DESIGN... remove the brains...

this video is very important ...

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Mitochondrial Health

Is a Key Countermeasure Against

the Global Indoctrination Program

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The Longevity

Vitamin - Like Compound ...

PQQ

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https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/news/behind-scenes-look-longevity ...

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The mitochondria are referred to as the energy powerhouses of our cells.

But like parts in a machine,

they become damaged and dysfunctional over time.

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A compound called pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ)

helps stimulate the creation of healthy new mitochondria.

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https://sciencenotes.org/mitochondria-definition-structure-function/#google_vignette

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What is PQQ ?

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Pyrroloquinoline quinone, also called methoxatin,
is a redox cofactor and antioxidant.

Quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase is used as a glucose sensor in bacteria.

PQQ stimulates growth in bacteria.

Wikipedia

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https://neurohacker.com/what-you-can-gain-from-taking-pyrroloquinoline-quinone-pqq

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WHAT YOU CAN GAIN

FROM TAKING

PYRROLOQUINOLINE QUINONE (PQQ)

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A great example of a nootropic that has a lot of benefits, but isn’t examined closely is pyrroloquinoline quinone. While many may focus on the surface level benefits from taking it, understanding how it works reveals the full impact it can have on the human body.

WHAT IS PYRROLOQUINOLINE QUINONE?

Simply saying the words pyrroloquinoline quinone is a bit of a mouthful, so most people prefer to use the abbreviation PQQ. It’s also called methoxatin.

So what is PQQ?

At one point, PQQ was thought to be a type of vitamin, but after further studies, researchers determined that while it has some vitamin-like qualities, it was only a related nutrient. PQQ can act as a cofactor, or enzyme booster, in the REDOX process(Reduction Oxidation). Because of its involvement in REDOX, PQQ offers certain anti-oxidative effects. PQQ is most commonly found in kiwi, green peppers, and parsley, but many people choose to incorporate it in their diets through PQQ supplements.

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Perhaps most notable is PQQ’s impact on mitochondria.

Mitochondria provide our cells with energy (ATP) and regulate cellular metabolism. Researchers have looked extensively at the impact PPQ has on mitochondria and have found that PQQ can increase the number of mitochondria and even improve their efficiency. This is a big reason why PQQ is so beneficial.

PQQ BENEFITS

Having mitochondria that operate at peak performance is so important to living a healthy life, which means there are a number of benefits you can experience while taking PPQ. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones.

IMPROVED ENERGY

Since mitochondria produce energy for the cell, and PQQ helps mitochondria work more efficiently, there is an overall increase of energy within your cells. The unused cellular energy is transferred to other parts of your body. If you struggle to have energy to make it through the day, or you experience fatigue or lethargy, this added boost of energy from PPQ will be important to you.

One study found that participants who reported having problems with their energy, experienced a noticeable decrease in their fatigue after taking PQQ. If you’re looking for a boost to your energy, PQQ may help with that.

BETTER SLEEP

Participants in the study mentioned above also reported that they were able to sleep better after taking PQQ for 8 weeks. Prior to beginning the study, these patients had been experiencing sleeping problems. PQQ seems to reduce the amount of cortisol, or stress hormone, within patients and improve their sleep. While PQQ’s benefits to sleep haven’t been studied thoroughly, these initial results seem promising.

ENHANCING MEMORY

With a reduced amount of stress, researchers have begun to see improvements to memory. In this case, the combination of PQQ and CoQ10 may lead to memory enhancement and promoting cognitive health. CoQ10, like PQQ, is another nutrient that can offer support to the body’s mitochondria. Many patients often look at PQQ and CoQ10 as an either/or option, but taking one and ignoring the other may result in missing out on some big benefits.

OTHER BENEFITS

In addition to the three main benefits listed above, PQQ provides other less, well-known benefits. PQQ may promote Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis, which can lead to more neuronal growth and survival. PQQ may also be able to improve fertility, though more studies are still needed to draw conclusive results. Further benefits from taking PQQ may be discovered as more research is conducted.

TAKING PQQ

If you want to add a PQQ supplement to your diet, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way. Since it doesn’t take much PQQ to have an effect, most dosages are kept small. As a result, most people don’t have to worry about any PQQ side effects.

PQQ is a very effective nootropic that everyone should include in their stack of choice.

It may provide you with more energy, improved sleep, and an enhanced memory in addition to some possible other benefits. There’s a lot to be gained from taking PQQ.

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A behind-the-scenes look at the

longevity vitamin - like compound ...

PQQ

By Wen Zhu | Judith Klinman

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https://chemistry.berkeley.edu/news/behind-scenes-look-longevity-vitamin

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PQQ has been found in fruits and vegetables, such as

papaya,

kiwi fruit,

spinach,

green pepper,

parsley,

celery ETC.

We love food, not only for the joy of eating and sharing meals, but also for the nutrients that our bodies depend on to thrive. Beyond the essential vitamins that everyone needs regularly, scientists have found more substances—classified as longevity vitamins—that could promote a long healthy life. With the increase of life expectancy around the globe, the emerging concept of a longevity "vitamin" has brought one compound into public attention: pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).

Judith P. Klinman, a Professor of the Graduate School and Chancellor’s Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, is currently leading a collaborative team of researchers expanding the horizon of the science of PQQ biogenesis.

This month, researchers from Klinman’s lab published an in-depth study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society(link is external) that demonstrates the unique structural and functional properties of PqqE, one of the key enzymes in PQQ biogenesis.

A longevity vitamin - like compound ...

Many commonly known vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin B2, function as “redox-active” cofactors—a group of small molecules needed for catalyzing chemical conversions that drive the reactions happening in our bodies.

Vitamin C, for example, is an antioxidant that participates in the redox cycle,
helping to remove the toxic reaction by-products within the cell.

Like vitamin C, PQQ is also an enzyme cofactor that has redox properties.

Studies have shown that longevity vitamins, such as PQQ, may lower the risk of disease during aging, possibly via stimulating important cellular activities.

Understanding how PQQ is made in nature helps to unlock the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of PQQ. It also leads to other potential applications, such as new treatment for bacterial infections.

“PQQ belongs to a class of quinone cofactors,” Klinman says. “There is a whole family of quinone cofactors, but in all of those instances, the cofactor directly connects to the protein; PQQ is a free-standing cofactor.”

Bacteria produce PQQ for “digesting” alcohol and sugar to generate energy under certain conditions. For bacteria, producing PQQ is “a strategy to deliver electrons to electron transport chains that lead to ATP production,” which is crucial for bacteria survival. “There is an evolutionary benefit for bacteria to use PQQ,” Klinman says.

Although plants and animals do not make or directly use PQQ in the same way that bacteria do, researchers have found that PQQ promotes plant growth and improves mitochondria function and memory learning ability in animals.

If a human cell is a city, mitochondria are the power station that generates energy for the city to be functional. Mitochondria dysfunction causes many diseases in the aging process.

“I think there is no question that PQQ does have some beneficial physiological effects for animals, and it might be related to the crosstalk between other redox-active molecules, such as ascorbate (vitamin C), ” Klinman says. “It turns out that ascorbate can easily interact with PQQ”.

Since vitamin C is constantly used by the human cell for growth and repair, if PQQ interacts with vitamin C in humans, it might play a role in the cellular activity where vitamin C is needed in an indirect way.

Researchers have also found that PQQ regulates the activity of a human enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme participating in the process of energy production in many organs and tissues throughout the human body. More research on the molecular basis of the impact of PQQ in human health is still on-going.

A recipe for PQQ

Although PQQ exists in fruits, vegetables, and human breast milk, only bacteria can produce PQQ. For almost two decades, Klinman has been working on uncovering the “recipe” that bacteria use to make PQQ.

What makes the PQQ biogenesis unique to other known cofactors is that it is derived from a peptide—a short chain of amino acids. At least six genes--pqqA, pqqB, pqqC, pqqD, pqqE, and pqqF—directly contribute to the formation of PQQ in bacteria.

These genes are translated into a peptide and five proteins in bacteria. The peptide, PqqA, is the initial “ingredient,” and the rest of the proteins are the “tools” for making PQQ. Solving this “recipe” is not easy. It is like solving a puzzle without knowing the final picture; one has to figure out where to start and which step comes next.

Related information:

Structural Properties and Catalytic Implications of the SPASM Domain Iron–Sulfur Clusters in Methylorubrum extorquens PqqE

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In Parsley

the PQQ 34.2

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https://www.healingplantfoods.com/

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Foods vs. Supplements?

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This quote taken from the first food study supports that indeed, we probably do get some from what we eat:

Since the levels in human tissues and body fluids are 5-10 times lower than those found in foods, it is probably that PQQ existing in human tissues is derived, at least partly, from the diet.

Given our name Superfoodly, as you can probably guess we favor dietary sources first and foremost for obtaining nutrients.

However there are a few exceptions we make and this is one. Why? Because even the foods richest in PQQ really only have a negligible amount.

Think about it…

Take the median of that 5-10 range (which is 7.5) and calculate out how much food you would need to consume to even possibly raise your PQQ levels by a double-digit percentage.

Take a human that weighs 150 lbs.
Using that 7.5x figure, the amount of PQQ in 20 lbs of food = same amount of PQQ in 150 lb human.
That would mean to consume 25% more PQQ than your body’s natural level, you would need to eat 10 lbs of food!
But it gets worse. What is the half life of PQQ? Only 3 to 5 hours (18). That means if you wanted to increase your PQQ levels by 25% around the clock, you would need to be consuming upwards of 30 to 60 lbs of food per day!

Notice we use the word consume 25% more, not increase 25%.

To increase plasma levels by 25% from the median PQQ foods, you likely would need to consume far greater amounts since only a fraction may be absorbed during the digestive process.

Furthermore, if the amount PQQ declines with age even loosely correlates with CoQ10, one would need to increase by more than 25% just to offset those amounts.

By age 50 the heart already has around a 40% decrease in natural CoQ10 levels.

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PQQ Revitalizes Aging Cells

Marsha McCulloch, MS, RD

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https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2021/ss/pqq-aging-cells

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The mitochondria are referred to as the energy powerhouses of our cells.

But like parts in a machine, they become damaged and dysfunctional over time.1

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with an array of age-related health problems, including insulin resistance, macular degeneration, cognitive decline, and osteoarthritis.2-4

A compound called pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ) helps stimulate the creation of healthy new mitochondria.5-8

This has the potential to ward off multiple health issues including blood sugar dysregulation, neurodegeneration, and more.9-12

In an animal model used to study longevity, PQQ increased lifespan by an average of 30%.13,14
Consider including 10 mg to 20 mg of PQQ each day as part of an anti-aging program.

What Is PQQ?PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a water-soluble, vitamin-like compound found in plants, yeast, and certain bacteria.15

PQQ plays a key role in supporting mitochondria. These "power plants" of cells generate the energy that cells need to function.16

Mitochondria are critical regulators of cell processes, including immune system activation, cellular signaling, and inflammation.1,17,18

As we age, mitochondria become damaged.19 That can interfere with the function of many organs and tissues, especially ones with higher energy requirements. These include the heart, brain, retina, kidney, liver, pancreas, and musculoskeletal system.20

Supporting the Mitochondria

PQQ fortifies mitochondria in a few distinct ways:

In animal models, it has been shown to enhance the action of enzymes that help mitochondria increase energy production.21,22
In mice, it has improved mitophagy, the clearing out of defective mitochondria.23 Damaged mitochondria must be cleared to ensure cell survival.24
It promotes the creation of healthy, new mitochondria to replace those that are damaged or dysfunctional.5,25

PQQ boosts the synthesis of new mitochondria by activating a protein called PGC-1 alpha.11,26
In a study of healthy men who completed a 6-week aerobic training program, those given 20 mg of PQQ daily more than doubled their PGC-1 alpha levels. Men given a placebo had a significantly smaller increase of this mitochondrial-generating protein.6

In mouse models, PQQ helps undo the harm caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, reducing the tendency of chronic inflammation, and preventing oxidative damage.22,27

Promoting LongevityThe potential benefits of PQQ are so extraordinary, one of the world’s leading nutritional scientists has called it a "longevity vitamin."28

Increasing the number of healthy mitochondria can preserve youthful function and vitality.
Preclinical research has shown PQQ helps prevent or delay chronic, low-grade inflammation in cells. This inflammation is so closely tied to the aging process, it is sometimes referred to as inflammaging.29

When human lung cells were pretreated with PQQ and then exposed to inflammatory cytokines (signaling proteins), fewer dysfunctional senescent cells developed, compared to untreated cells.29 These senescent cells are a major driver of disease and accelerated aging.
Other research has shown PQQ promotes the activity of longevity genes.29 It also promotes resistance to oxidative stress, which helps ward off premature aging.13

These benefits add up. In a roundworm model used to study longevity, PQQ was found to increase lifespan by an average of 30%.13,14

Brain and Nerve Protection

Mitochondrial function is vital for the health of the brain, which uses about 20% of the energy of the body.16

Mitochondrial production and function are impaired in both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.30,31

Research suggests mitophagy is also impaired in these brain conditions.24

Animal models of Parkinson’s disease show PQQ reduces the loss of neurons that produce dopamine.32

This nerve messenger is essential for regulating movement of the body. Dopamine shortfalls lead to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty walking, hallmarks of Parkinson’s.33

Preclinical research has also shown that PQQ protects nerve cells from damage from beta-amyloid, a harmful protein that accumulates in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.34
An animal model suggests PQQ may even help reduce brain damage when taken before or shortly after a stroke.35

What you need to know

PQQ Promotes Health and Longevity

In aging cells, mitochondria become damaged, trigger inflammation, and produce insufficient energy.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with many age-related health problems, including insulin resistance, macular degeneration, brain disorders, and joint pain.
PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a compound that can promote the recycling of defective mitochondria and the creation of healthy, new mitochondria.
In preclinical research, PQQ helps protect the health of the brain and eyes, reduce blood sugar and cholesterol, defend against kidney and liver damage, combat osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and more.
PQQ is sometimes referred to as a "longevity vitamin." In roundworms, it increased lifespan by an average of 30%.

Improved Eye Health

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness.8

Cell studies from eyes of human donors with macular degeneration show under-functioning mitochondria in the retinal pigment epithelium.8

Without enough energy, this tissue can’t do its job.8

Abnormal mitochondrial function is also frequently found in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy

Retinopathy - Life Extension

Retinal damage, known as retinopathy, can severely and permanently impair vision and even lead to blindness. two other conditions that can lead to blindness.36

In a recent preclinical study, scientists used PQQ to treat retinal pigment epithelial cells from human organ donors who had age-related macular degeneration.8

About half of the tissue samples had a 50%–350% improvement in mitochondrial function of retinal pigment epithelial cells when PQQ was administered, compared to untreated donor cells.
Cells in the PQQ group also had a 59% increase in production of ATP, the energy currency that cells use.

PQQ also regulates antioxidant genes in the retinal cells, helping protect them from further damage.8

Preserving Metabolic HealthMitochondrial dysfunction can also contribute to metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.21,37,38

Scientists treated obese rats with PQQ for five weeks. These rats had been fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet to induce metabolic dysfunction.21

Compared to an untreated group of obese rats, PQQ significantly:

Improved blood sugar control, insulin levels, and insulin sensitivity,
Lowered harmful inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-6, and
Promoted healthier blood lipid levels, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and HDL ("good") cholesterol.

PQQ may also help prevent unhealthy heart enlargement, based on promising results from a cell-based model. This type of heart enlargement, known as cardiac hypertrophy, can be caused by excessive free radicals and inflammation.39

In this preclinical research, PQQ decreased free radicals in human heart cells by up to 50%. That could help reduce the risk of heart failure and other cardiac conditions.39

Averting Kidney and Liver Damage

High blood sugar and diabetes often lead to kidney damage. PQQ may help counteract these causes of kidney problems.

In an animal model of diabetes, rats given PQQ for four weeks had a significant decrease in free radicals in kidney tissue.40

Structural damage to the kidneys improved significantly and the kidneys worked better with PQQ, compared to the kidneys of untreated rats.

The liver is also vulnerable to the effects of metabolic dysfunction associated with diabetes and obesity.41

In a preclinical study of metabolic fatty liver disease, PQQ protected the liver from damaging fat accumulation. It did this by improving lipid metabolism, supporting the creation of new mitochondria, and boosting antioxidant protection.42

Supporting Musculoskeletal Health

Animal research has shown that PQQ can help combat the bone disease osteoporosis, in part by increasing antioxidant protection.43-45 Osteoporosis occurs when bone breakdown, a normal process, outpaces bone building.

One potential contributing factor for osteoporosis is an excess of free radicals that hastens bone breakdown. Hormone changes that happen with aging accelerate this process.45

In a postmenopausal animal model, PQQ was as effective as estrogen replacement at preventing bone loss—but without the side effects of hormone therapy.45

The antioxidant benefits of PQQ may also support the healing of bone fractures, according to another study using a postmenopausal animal model.27

Similarly, other research shows that the progression of osteoarthritis is related to oxidative stress.43

Cartilage cells are rich in mitochondria. Disruption of mitochondrial function increases oxidative stress and inflammation and damages the cartilage that cushions joints.46,47

In preclinical research, PQQ significantly decreased mitochondrial damage and dysfunction caused by inflammatory cytokines in the mitochondria of cartilage.48

Supporting mitochondrial health is crucial for healthy aging.

Summary

Mitochondria, the energy factories of cells, play a key role in regulating the aging process and promoting longevity.

As we age, our mitochondria tend to wear out and become less likely to be replaced.

PQQ is a vitamin-like compound that promotes the production of healthy new mitochondria. It is also a potent antioxidant.

By supporting mitochondria, PQQ promotes the health of organs that are especially vulnerable to energy deficits and oxidative stress, including the brain, eyes, and heart.

In an animal model, it increased longevity by 30%.

Consider taking 10 mg to 20 mg of PQQ daily as part of an anti-aging program.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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Morciano G, Patergnani S, Bonora M, et al. Mitophagy in Cardiovascular Diseases. J Clin Med. 2020 Mar 24;9(3):892.
Wen J, Shen J, Zhou Y, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone attenuates isoproterenol hydrochlorideinduced cardiac hypertrophy in AC16 cells by inhibiting the NFkappaB signaling pathway. Int J Mol Med. 2020 Mar;45(3):873-85.
Zhang M, Zhang J, Xiong Y, et al. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Inhibits Oxidative Stress in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy. Med Sci Monit. 2020 Jun 27;26:e924372.
Karkucinska-Wieckowska A, Simoes ICM, Kalinowski P, et al. Mitochondria, oxidative stress and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A complex relationship. Eur J Clin Invest. 2021 May 29:e13622.
Qiu K, Zhao Q, Wang J, et al. Effects of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on Lipid Metabolism and Anti-Oxidative Capacity in a High-Fat-Diet Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Chick Model. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 1;22(3).
Qin R, Sun J, Wu J, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone prevents knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting oxidative stress and chondrocyte senescence. Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(3):1460-72.
Wu X, Li J, Zhang H, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone prevents testosterone deficiency-induced osteoporosis by stimulating osteoblastic bone formation and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption. Am J Transl Res. 2017;9(3):1230-42.
Geng Q, Gao H, Yang R, et al. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Prevents Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Osteocyte Senescence. Int J Biol Sci. 2019;15(1):58-68.
de Sire A, Marotta N, Marinaro C, et al. Role of Physical Exercise and Nutraceuticals in Modulating Molecular Pathways of Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 27;22(11).
Mao X, Fu P, Wang L, et al. Mitochondria: Potential Targets for Osteoarthritis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020 2020-November-26;7(808):581402.
Han GT, Cai WS, Zhang YB, et al. Protective Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on TNF-alpha-induced Mitochondrial Injury in Chondrocytes. Curr Med Sci. 2021 Feb;41(1):100-7.

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PQQ Supplement Health Benefits

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PQQ is an antioxidant and based on research, it shows to be more

powerful at fighting free radicals than vitamin C.

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PQQ Supplement Health Benefits ...

The science on PQQ is still young; most of the research has only been done in animal studies. While there are some human studies, it isn’t clear exactly how it can help your body. However, research shows that there may be some health benefits.

Antioxidant.

When your body breaks down food into energy, it also makes free radicals. Normally your body can get rid of free radicals, but if there are too many, they can cause damage, which can lead to chronic diseases. Antioxidants fight free radicals.

PQQ is an antioxidant and based on research, it shows to be more powerful at fighting free radicals than vitamin C. Antioxidants work better together, so it’s unclear if taking PQQ alone as a supplement can help stop any diseases.

‌Mitochondrial dysfunction.

Mitochondria are the power centers of your cells. Problems with your mitochondria can lead to heart problems, diabetes, and cancer. Animal data shows that PQQ helps to make more mitochondria, but there isn’t very much research in humans.

One study tested PQQ supplements in men who did aerobic exercise for 6 weeks. It increased mitochondria by affecting certain proteins during exercise. Another study showed that dietary PQQ raised mitochondria activity.

Anti-diabetes.

Problems with mitochondria are part of what causes diabetes. Lifestyle choices like exercise, food, stress, and sleep affect mitochondrial health. Animal data shows that PQQ supplements fix mitochondrial problems from diabetes and make diabetic mice respond better to insulin. Yet, there isn’t any evidence that PQQ can help people with diabetes.

Inflammation. PQQ might lower inflammation by lowering the C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and other markers in your blood.
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Nootropic.

Substances that help memory, attention, and learning are sometimes called nootropics. Studies show that PQQ raises blood flow to the cerebral cortex. This is the part of your brain that helps with attention, thinking, and memory. This supplement also may also memory problems in older people.

Sleep and mood.

PQQ might help with better and longer sleep. By easing fatigue, it might also help to improve moods.

While there is some research on PQQ, there isn’t enough evidence to know exactly whether any of these health benefits will help you.

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PQQ:

A Vital Nutrient for Mitochondrial

Health, Memory, & Metabolism

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PQQ: A Vital Nutrient for Mitochondrial Health, Memory, & Metabolism

Michael T. Murray, ND

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a compound found in interstellar dust, that also acts to generate the spark of life in every living cell in our body; PQQ has nearly unlimited potential to improve human health. Specifically, PQQ is a novel vitamin-like compound that acts as a necessary active factor in the functioning of mitochondria. PQQ is showing a wide range of clinical benefits for brain and body function, based upon preclinical studies and initial clinical evaluation.

PQQ is a Vital NutrientPQQ stimulates growth and serves as a cofactor for a special class of enzymes involved in cellular function, including cellular growth, development, differentiation, and survival.1

PQQ is also as an extremely powerful antioxidant capable of catalyzing continuous cycling (the ability to perform repeated oxidation and reduction reactions) to a much greater degree than other antioxidants. For example, PQQ is able to carry out 20 000 catalytic conversions, compared to only 4 for vitamin C.1,2

Based upon the current research, there is no question that it plays a critical role in human nutrition.1,3 Omitting PQQ from chemically-defined diets in mammals leads to growth impairment, compromised immune status, and abnormal reproductive function.5

The nutritional requirements of PQQ are probably in line with folic acid and biotin, in terms of micrograms versus milligrams per day. Like essential nutrients, the immune system seems particularly sensitive to low levels of PQQ. Deprivation of PQQ leads to multiple defects in immune function and a reduced ability of white blood cells to respond properly.1

In regards to dietary sources, PQQ has been found in all plant foods analyzed to date.1 PQQ-rich foods include parsley, green peppers, kiwi fruit, papaya, and tofu.4 These foods contain about 2-3 µg per 100 g. Green tea provides about the same amount per 4-oz serving. These levels are far lower than the 10 to 20 mg dosage of PQQ used in clinical trials.

A Closer Look at PQQ Functions in Mitochondria

One key action of PQQ involves a direct action on key enzymes in mitochondria. As a result, PQQ improves energy production.1,6 In line with its powerful antioxidant effect, PQQ protects against mitochondrial damage.

However, PQQ not only protects mitochondria from oxidative stress, it also promotes the spontaneous generation of new mitochondria within aging cells – a process known as mitochondrial biogenesis, or mitochondriogenesis.1,6,7 This effect is a “fountain of youth” for mitochondrial function.

What are the Clinical Uses of PQQ?

Given PQQ’s nutritional importance and tremendous span of physiological effects, there are considerable benefits of PQQ in conditions that involve low mitochondrial function, including aging, many brain and neurological diseases (eg, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), and many other chronic degenerative diseases.

Current research has primarily focused on its ability to protect memory and cognition in both aging animals and humans. Here are some of the effects noted in the animal studies:

PQQ reverses cognitive impairment caused by chronic oxidative stress, and improves performance on memory tests1,8
PQQ supplementation stimulates the production and release of nerve growth factor1,9
PQQ protects against the self-oxidation of the DJ-1 gene, an early step in the onset of Parkinson’s disease1,10
PQQ protects brain cells against oxidative damage in models of strokes1,11
PQQ blocks the formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a major source of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that are so damaging to brain cells1,12
PQQ protects against the likelihood of severe stroke in an experimental animal model for stroke1,13
PQQ protects the brain against neurotoxicity induced by other powerful toxins, including mercury, glutamate, and oxidopamine (a potent neurotoxin used by scientists to induce Parkinsonism in laboratory animals)1,14,15
PQQ prevents development of alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease1,16
PQQ also protects nerve cells from the damaging effects of the beta-amyloid protein linked with Alzheimer’s disease1,17
PQQ lowers LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), presumably by activating AMP-kinase (AMPk)18

PQQ Activates AMPk and Lowers LDL-C

PQQ activates AMPk, an enzyme that is found inside living cells that serves as a “master regulating switch” in energy metabolism. Low levels of AMPk activity are associated with:

Accelerated aging
Chronic inflammation
High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
Increased visceral “belly” fat
Insulin resistance
Mitochondrial insufficiency and dysfunction
Neurodegeneration
Obesity
Poor blood sugar control

Since PQQ activates AMPk, researchers believe that it is only a matter of time before clinical data is produced showing PQQ to be helpful for a long list of health challenges.

A recent study supports this statement. In a study using a safe form of PQQ produced through a natural fermentation process, clear benefits were observed that were attributed to the activation of AMPk by PQQ.18 In test subjects with an initial level of LDL-C greater than 140 mg/dL, 6 weeks of PQQ supplementation produced a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (from an average of 247 to 216 mg/dL) and LDL-C (from an average of 156 to 132 mg/dL). Results persisted at 12 weeks.18

PQQ Plus CoQ10 Improves Brain Function

While PQQ is somewhat effective on its own in improving brain function, when it is combined coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), even better results are observed. This synergistic effect was first seen in animal studies, and was further demonstrated in a human double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in Japan in 2007.19

In this study of 71 middle-aged and elderly people age 40-70, supplementation with 20 mg per day of PQQ (the naturally-produced form mentioned above) resulted in improvements on tests of higher cognitive function compared to the placebo group; however, in the group receiving 20 mg of PQQ along with 300 mg of CoQ10, the results were even more dramatic.19 PQQ and CoQ10 are both involved in mitochondrial energy production, so these results are not that surprising.

PQQ Alone Improves Energy Metabolism

PQQ is active on its own, and in most people under 50 years of age there may be no need for simultaneous use of PQQ and CoQ10 unless the person is taking a drug like cholesterol-lowering statins that interfere with CoQ10 manufacture.

One human study used PQQ as a single agent in 10 subjects (5 females, 5 males) between the ages of 21 and 34 years.20 The subjects were given PQQ (the naturally-produced form) in a single dose (0.2 mg PQQ/kg body weight), after which multiple measurements were taken of plasma and urine PQQ levels and changes in antioxidant potential over a 48-hr period.20 Results indicated a significant increase in antioxidant potential after only this single dosage.

These same subjects had their blood measured for markers of inflammation (plasma C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), as well as urinary metabolites related to energy metabolism, before and 72 hours after being administered a daily dose of PQQ (0.3 mg PQQ/kg).20 PQQ supplementation resulted in significant decreases in CRP and IL-6. Furthermore, the changes in urinary metabolites were consistent with enhanced mitochondria-related functions. The data are among the first to link systemic effects of PQQ in animals to corresponding effects in humans.

Proper Dosage of PQQ

One question regarding PQQ is what is an effective dosage? Specifically, if the nutritional requirement of PQQ is likely less than 500 µg daily, then why is the recommended dosage 10 to 20 mg? In order to get a measured response in mitochondrial function in adult animals, it is necessary to feed them higher amounts of PQQ.

A good analogy is vitamin C: While only 8 to 15 mg of vitamin C might protect against the overt signs of scurvy, the recommended dietary allowance currently stands at 75 to 90 mg per day for optimal function (for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women), and even higher amounts are required for clinical applications.

The current recommendation of 10 to 20 mg of PQQ per day is based upon the equivalent dose in animals that has consistently improved various mitochondrial functions. There are also some clinical and observational studies that justify this dosage, especially the 20 mg dosage, for enhancing memory.

Physicians need to be aware of different forms of PQQ on the marketplace. There is only 1 safe form available that is produced naturally. Other forms are produced through a chemical synthesis, involve the use of fairly toxic compounds, and have unresolved safety issues. As mentioned, the dosage recommendation for PQQ is 10 to 20 mg daily.

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Mitochondria – Definition, Structure, Function

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Anne Helmenstine (updated on March 20, 2024)

A mitochondrion (plural: mitochondria) is an organelle in plants, animals, and fungi that produces chemical energy for cells.Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.

They are unique organelles present in almost all eukaryotic cells that are responsible for generating the cell’s supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell.

Discovery and Word OriginAlbert von Kölliker discovered mitochondria in 1857 in insect voluntary muscles. Carl Benda coined the word “mitochondrion” in 1898.The term “mitochondrion” comes from the Greek words “mitos,” meaning thread, and “chondrion,” meaning granule. This term reflects their thread-like or granular appearance under the microscope. The plural of “mitochondrion” is “mitochondria.”

Functions of Mitochondria

While best-known for producing energy, mitochondria actually serve several important functions within the cell:

ATP Production: Mitochondria are the site of oxidative phosphorylation and play a critical role in the production of ATP through the electron transport chain.
Calcium Storage: They regulate calcium ion concentrations within the cell, influencing various cellular activities.
Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis): Mitochondria initiate and regulate apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death necessary for the removal of damaged cells.
Heat Production: In certain cells, mitochondria generate heat, a process known as thermogenesis.
Metabolic Functions: Mitochondria play a role in several metabolic pathways, including the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), which is crucial for energy production.
Signaling: Mitochondria play roles in hormone, immune, and intercellular signaling.

Structure of a MitochondrionMitochondria have a unique structure which is key to their function:

Outer Membrane: This smooth membrane encloses the entire organelle and is permeable to ions and small molecules. It is similar in composition to the cell’s plasma membrane. Integral membrane proteins called porins allow for transport between the mitochondrion and the cell’s cytosol.
Inner Membrane: The inner membrane is highly convoluted, forming folds known as cristae. This membrane contains proteins involved in the electron transport chain and ATP synthesis. The cristae greatly increase the surface area of the inner membrane, allowing for more ATP production. Small round bodies called oxysomes dot the surface of the cristae.
Intermembrane Space: The intermembrane space is the region between the inner and outer membranes. Its fluid composition resembles the cell’s cytosol in terms of ions and sugars. However, cytochrome c and certain other large proteins also occur here.
Matrix: The matrix is innermost compartment, which contains enzymes, mitochondrial DNA, and ribosomes. Essentially, it is the mitochondrial analog to the cell’s cytoplasm. Enzymes in the matrix play roles in the citric acid cycle and oxidation of fatty acids and pyruvate.

Mitochondrial Ribosomes

Mitochondrial ribosomes differ from cytoplasmic ribosomes within the cell. These differences are evident in several aspects:

Size and Composition: Mitochondrial ribosomes are smaller than their cytoplasmic counterparts. In eukaryotic cells, cytoplasmic ribosomes are typically 80S (composed of a 40S small subunit and a 60S large subunit), whereas mitochondrial ribosomes are usually 55S to 70S, depending on the species. The ‘S’ here stands for Svedberg units, a measure of sedimentation rate during ultracentrifugation.
Structural Features: The structure of mitochondrial ribosomes also differs from that of cytoplasmic ribosomes. There are differences in terms of their shape, the arrangement of their RNA and protein components, and in their molecular structure.
RNA and Protein Content: Mitochondrial ribosomes have a different ratio of RNA to protein compared to cytoplasmic ribosomes. Mitochondrial ribosomes are richer in proteins and have less ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Genetic Origin: Mitochondrial DNA encodes the rRNA in mitochondrial ribosomes, whereas nuclear DNA encodes the rRNA in cytoplasmic ribosomes.
Sensitivity to Antibiotics: Mitochondrial ribosomes are similar to bacterial ribosomes in terms of antibiotic sensitivity. Certain antibiotics that inhibit bacterial ribosomes also affect mitochondrial ribosomes.
Function and Specificity: Although both types of ribosomes perform protein synthesis, mitochondrial ribosomes specialize in synthesizing proteins for use within the mitochondria. These proteins are often integral to mitochondrial functions, such as oxidative phosphorylation.

Mitochondrial ribosomes are more similar to those found in present-day bacteria than to the ribosomes in the eukaryotic cytoplasm.

Where Are Mitochondria Within a Cell?

Mitochondria are in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, but their specific location and distribution within the cell varies depending on the cell type and its energy requirements. Here are some key points about the location of mitochondria in cells:

General Cytoplasmic Distribution: In most cells, mitochondria disperse more or less equally throughout the cytoplasm. This distribution allows for efficient supply of ATP to various parts of the cell where energy is needed.
Near High Energy Demand Sites: In cells with high energy demands, such as muscle cells or neurons, mitochondria occur in greater concentrations near sites where energy consumption is highest. For example, in muscle cells, mitochondria are abundant near the contractile apparatus to rapidly supply energy for muscle contraction.
Associated with Other Organelles: Mitochondria sometimes occur near other organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with which they share close functional relationships. This proximity facilitates inter-organelle communication and metabolic coupling.
Cell-Specific Distribution: In certain specialized cells, mitochondria concentrate in specific regions. For instance, in sperm cells, mitochondria wrap around the flagellum to provide the energy needed for motility.
Dynamic Movement and Morphology: Mitochondria are not static; they move throughout the cell and change their shape and size. This dynamic behavior responds to the cell’s energy needs, signaling pathways, and the life cycle of the mitochondria themselves.
Adaptation to Cellular Conditions: The number and location of mitochondria within a cell changes in response to metabolic conditions. For example, in response to increased energy demand or during cellular stress conditions, cells increase the number of mitochondria through a process called mitochondrial biogenesis.

Do All Cells Contains the Same Number of Mitochondria?

The number of mitochondria in cells is not uniform across all cell types and it changes within a cell over time. Several factors influence the number and form of mitochondria:

Cell Type and Energy Demand: The number of mitochondria in a cell correlates to the cell’s metabolic activity and energy requirements. Cells with high energy demands, such as muscle cells, heart cells, and neurons, have a higher number of mitochondria compared to cells with lower energy requirements.
Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Cells increase their number of mitochondria through a process called mitochondrial biogenesis. Factors that stimulation the process include increased energy demands, physical exercise, exposure to cold, and certain cellular stressors.
Cell Cycle and Growth Conditions: Cells increase their number of mitochondria during cell growth and division.
Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission: Mitochondria change their shape and size through processes known as fusion (joining together) and fission (splitting apart). These processes alter the number of distinct mitochondria within a cell. Fusion creates elongated, interconnected mitochondria, while fission results in smaller, individual mitochondria.
Physiological and Pathological Conditions: Hormonal changes and pathological conditions influence mitochondrial number.
Cellular Stress and Damage: Cells remove damaged mitochondria through a process called mitophagy, a type of autophagy specific to mitochondria. This also alters the number of mitochondria within a cell.
Developmental Stage and Tissue Type: The number of mitochondria varies during different developmental stages and among different tissue types. For example, rapidly dividing embryonic cells have a different mitochondrial content compared to mature, differentiated cells.

Disorders Associated with Mitochondria

Mitochondrial disorders are often the result of failures in mitochondrial functions. These can include:

Mitochondrial DNA Mutations: Mitochondrial mutations cause diseases like Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy and mitochondrial myopathy.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production: Excess ROS damages cellular components, contributing to aging and diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Metabolic Disorders: Mitochondrial dysfunction can result in metabolic syndromes due to impaired energy production.

Theories of Mitochondrial Origins

The most accepted theory regarding the origin of mitochondria is the endosymbiotic theory. This theory suggests that mitochondria originated from free-living prokaryotes that entered into a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotic cells. Over time, these prokaryotes evolved into the modern mitochondria, losing some of their autonomy but becoming integral to the host cell’s metabolism.

However, there are other theories that explain the origin of mitochondria:

Hydrogen Hypothesis: This is a variation of the endosymbiotic theory. It suggests a symbiotic relationship between an anaerobic or facultatively anaerobic eukaryote and a hydrogen-producing bacterium (the future mitochondrion). The theory emphasizes the role of hydrogen and energy transfer in the establishment of the symbiotic relationship.
Serial Endosymbiosis Theory (SET): Developed by Lynn Margulis, this theory is a broader hypothesis that includes the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria. SET suggests a sequential acquisition of symbiotic partners, where an ancestral host cell absorbed bacterial cells that eventually evolved into organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Autogenous Hypothesis: This hypothesis posits that organelles like mitochondria originated from the invagination of the plasma membrane within a prokaryotic cell, which then differentiated into a distinct organelle. This theory doesn’t explain the presence of separate mitochondrial DNA or the double-membrane structure of mitochondria.
Endosymbiotic Gene Transfer: While not an alternative theory for the origin, this concept complements the endosymbiotic theory. It suggests that over time, genes from the endosymbiotic bacteria (the ancestors of mitochondria) transferred to the host cell’s nucleus, which is why mitochondria and the cells they reside in are so interdependent.
Symbiogenetic Theory: This is a broader theory that suggests that new organisms evolve through the long-term symbiosis and eventual merging of two separate organisms. This theory encompasses the origin of mitochondria as a specific case of a more general evolutionary process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are mitochondria?

Mitochondria are organelles found in the cells of most eukaryotic organisms. They are the powerhouses of the cell because they generate most of the cell’s supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as a source of chemical energy.

2. Why are mitochondria important?

Mitochondria are crucial for energy production in cells. They also play significant roles in various other cellular processes, including the regulation of the cell cycle and cell growth, signaling, cellular differentiation, and even cell death (apoptosis).

3. Do all cells contain mitochondria?

They do no occur in prokaryotic cells. Mitochondria occur in the cells of nearly all eukaryotic organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and most algae. However, they are absent in a few cell types, such as mature red blood cells in humans. Some eukaryotic species completely lack mitochondria, while they have transformed into other structures in other species.

4. How do mitochondria produce energy?

Mitochondria produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This process involves the electron transport chain and the enzyme ATP synthase, which convert oxygen and nutrients into ATP.

5. Do mitochondria have their own DNA?

Yes, mitochondria contain their own DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This DNA is distinct from the DNA found in the cell’s nucleus and is inherited maternally in most organisms.

6. What is the endosymbiotic theory regarding the origin of mitochondria?

The endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria originated from free-living prokaryotes that entered into a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotic cells. Over time, these prokaryotes evolved into modern mitochondria.

7. Can problems with mitochondria lead to diseases?

Yes, dysfunctions in mitochondria leads to a range of diseases. These affect various systems in the body, with symptoms such as muscle weakness, neurological problems, and organ dysfunction.

8. How are mitochondria inherited?

Mitochondrial DNA gets passed down from mothers to their children.. The mitochondria present in a fertilized egg come from the mother’s egg cell.

9. Can mitochondrial function be improved?

Lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, and certain supplements might improve mitochondrial function, but research in this area is ongoing.

10. Are mitochondria involved in aging?

Some research suggests that changes in mitochondrial function are linked to the aging process. Mitochondrial dysfunction shares a connection to age-related decline in various biological systems.

References

Campbell, N.A.; Williamson, B.; Heyden, R.J. (2006). Biology: Exploring Life. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0132508827.
Karnkowska, A.; Vacek, V.; et al. (2016). “A Eukaryote without a Mitochondrial Organelle”. Current Biology. 26 (10): 1274–1284. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.053
McBride, H.M.; Neuspiel, M.; Wasiak, S. (2006). “Mitochondria: more than just a powerhouse”. Current Biology. 16 (14): R551–R560. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2006.06.054
Seo, A.Y.; Joseph, A.M.; et al. (2010). “New insights into the role of mitochondria in aging: mitochondrial dynamics and more”. Journal of Cell Science. 123 (Pt 15): 2533–2542. doi:10.1242/jcs.070490
Siekevitz, P. (1957). “Powerhouse of the cell”. Scientific American. 197 (1): 131–140. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0757-131

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Dr. Michael Nehls, author of The Indoctrinated Brain,

reveals terrifying blueprint for the globalist assault on your neurology

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