PQQ

A cofactor for bacteria inside red capsules

Does taking PQQ, which is said to be good for memory and mitochondria, together with CoQ10 improve brain function or energy? This is a fairly common question during supplement consultations. To answer briefly, based on independent and large-scale clinical evidence in humans to date, it is difficult to conclude such effects.

PQQ is an abbreviation for pyrroloquinoline quinone. It is a compound known as a cofactor in the redox enzymes of bacteria, not an established essential vitamin for humans. Nevertheless, it moved into the supplement market under nicknames like 'the new vitamin' or 'mitochondrial nutrient.' At this point, it is easy for the original biochemical identity to be mixed with marketing expectations.

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Where the questions begin: Why consider PQQ and CoQ10 together?

Both PQQ and CoQ10 appear in explanations regarding redox and energy metabolism. Therefore, people hoping to improve brain function or fatigue often ask about them as a pair. However, just because the explanations overlap does not mean the efficacy of taking the two ingredients together has been proven. The fact that PQQ is a cofactor for bacterial enzymes is a separate issue from large-scale independent clinical evidence that it increases the number of mitochondria in humans to treat fatigue or prevent dementia.

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Identity of the raw material: A name from bacteria

The identity of PQQ is clear. It is a compound that acts as a cofactor in the redox enzymes of bacteria. Purified PQQ disodium salt is typically used in supplements. The important point is that trace exposure in food, single PQQ, and CoQ10 combination products are not all the same intervention. This is why research conditions cannot be applied directly even if the name PQQ on the label is the same.

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The weight of the nickname 'the new vitamin'

Although PQQ is sometimes called a vitamin, it is not an essential vitamin with a defined deficiency in humans. Nicknames that sound like essential nutrients raise expectations, but the actual evidence does not reach that level. There may be cell signaling research related to mitochondria, but there is no proof yet that cell-level signaling directly leads to improved memory or fatigue recovery.

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The distance between trace amounts in food and 20 mg in a capsule

The estimated PQQ exposure from food and a 20 mg supplement differ greatly in scale. A specific PQQ disodium salt reviewed by the EFSA was proposed for supplement use at 20 mg per day, which is approximately 250 times higher than the estimated exposure from general foods. This means that naturally consuming it through food and taking a supplement are entirely different interventions. Supplement trials cannot be explained by the results of eating food.

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Differences between European safety conditions and efficacy

The European Union set 20 mg per day for adults as the allowable condition. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women are excluded. Furthermore, this 20 mg is not an indication that improvement in memory or energy has been approved. Safety review and proof of efficacy are not the same. The key point here is that the allowable dose is not necessarily the effective target dose.

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How many human studies are there?

There is a 12-week trial involving 64 randomly assigned Japanese adults aged 40 and older. While signals were reported in some composite cognitive tests, there were 58 completers, a specific brand of raw material was used, and there were multiple outcome measures. Additionally, corporate affiliations must be considered. Other cognitive studies are generally small-scale, involving dozens of people using 20 mg for 12 weeks. It is unknown whether the results are reproducible across different ages, health statuses, and all commercially available products.

In other words, signals from small, short-term trials are far from proving that brain function is improved for all middle-aged adults and older. There is no large-scale independent clinical evidence that PQQ increases the number of mitochondria in humans to treat fatigue, prevent or treat mild cognitive impairment or dementia, or extend lifespan.

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When taken together: Combination with CoQ10 is a different intervention

There is a general belief that taking PQQ and CoQ10 together is better, but established evidence for this is limited. A single PQQ agent and a CoQ10 combination product are not the same intervention. When looking at product labels, you should check the actual PQQ content, whether it is in the disodium salt form, and what other ingredients are included. For combination products, it is especially important to examine the actual content and form of each ingredient.

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Who should be more cautious about taking it

Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children are excluded from the European allowable group. Data regarding long-term use, liver or kidney disease, and drug interactions are also insufficient. If new symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, or insomnia occur after intake, stop use and check the product name, content, and included ingredients. If memory decline progresses rapidly, daily functioning decreases, or confusion and neurological symptoms occur, you should seek a medical evaluation rather than relying on supplements.

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How to View Differences from Similar Ingredients

The following comparison is helpful when understanding PQQ.

Comparison Target	Why it is important
Trace PQQ in food vs. purified PQQ disodium salt	Cannot be viewed as the same result due to differences in exposure amount and form
PQQ and CoQ10	They share commonalities related to redox reactions, but the efficacy of combined intake has not been proven
Redox/mitochondrial mechanisms vs. clinical results for fatigue and memory	Possibilities at the cellular level do not directly translate to symptom improvement in humans
Safety conditions for 20 mg per day vs. effective dosage	Being safe does not necessarily mean it is effective

This table is used only for organizing complex terms.

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Realistic criteria to check today

So, what should you look for? First, check whether the product is a single-ingredient PQQ disodium salt or a complex containing CoQ10 or other nutrients. Check the actual PQQ content, the purpose of intake, and whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, a child, or have liver or kidney disease, or are taking other medications. Also, keep in mind that the cause of memory loss or fatigue may not simply be a nutrient deficiency.

Rather than the nickname 'mitochondrial vitamin,' check the precise disodium salt form, whether it is a single or complex formulation, and the purpose of intake. First, consider the gap between small short-term cognitive tests and dementia prevention, as well as the difference between safety reviews and efficacy.

References

1. EFSA: Safety of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt as a novel food.
2. EU authorisation of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt.
3. FDA GRAS Notice 590 response: PQQ disodium salt.
4. PQQ and cognitive function in older adults: randomized trial.
5. PQQ and cognitive function: small randomized trial.

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This text explains the origin of the raw materials, the scope of research, and precautions before consumption. As this cannot replace individual diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional if you are taking medication or if symptoms persist. If sudden and severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or decreased consciousness occur after consumption, seek help from 119 or the emergency room.