Do PQQ Supplements Have Health Benefits?

PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone), also called methoxatin, is a vitamin-like compound that exists naturally in soil and a variety of foods, including spinach, kiwi, soybeans, and human breastmilk (1).

How it functions

PQQ’s exact function in humans remains somewhat undetermined, but it’s renowned for its potent antioxidant effects. It’s also thought to be involved in a variety of cellular processes, including protecting nerve cells against damage (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

What’s more, PQQ supports proper mitochondrial function and the cellular development of new mitochondria, though its exact mechanisms are still unclear (2Trusted Source).

Mitochondria are specialized structures inside your cells that are responsible for producing energy from the foods you eat.

What are PQQ supplements?

When taken as a supplement, PQQ is classified as a nootropic. Nootropics are substances used to enhance brain functions like memory, mental focus, motivation, and creativity (4Trusted Source).

PQQ supplements are manufactured via a unique bacterial fermentation process. The PQQ is harvested from certain bacteria that naturally produce this compound as a byproduct of their metabolism (5).

PQQ supplements are typically sold as capsules or soft gels, but they’re occasionally available as chewable tablets or lozenges.

Summary

PQQ is a natural compound found in a variety of foods. It acts as an antioxidant and supports healthy mitochondrial function. It’s taken as a supplement to promote brain function.

Although PQQ is essential for human health, there’s limited evidence that the supplemental form provides any meaningful health benefits.

That said, early research suggests that PQQ may help reduce inflammation and improve mitochondrial function.

May help lower inflammation

Early research indicates that PQQ has anti-inflammatory effects. In turn, these properties may reduce your risk of various inflammatory ailments.

One animal study found that mice given PQQ had significantly less inflammatory damage to brain tissue, compared with the control group (6Trusted Source).

In another study in obese mice treated with PQQ during pregnancy and lactation, their offspring exhibited significantly fewer inflammatory markers in liver tissue and were less likely to express inflammatory genes than the offspring of mice that didn’t get PQQ (7Trusted Source).

One small, 3-day study in 10 people evaluated the effects of taking a daily PQQ supplement on common markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and blood sugar and cholesterol levels (8Trusted Source).

CRP and IL-6 levels dropped significantly, but no meaningful changes in cholesterol or blood sugar occurred (8Trusted Source).

Although these results are promising, the data isn’t strong enough to suggest that PPQ treats or prevents inflammatory conditions. Thus, more research is needed.

May improve mitochondrial function

Recent research on PQQ largely focuses on its mitochondrial effects.

Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy that your cells require to stay healthy and function optimally. Poor mitochondrial health is implicated in a variety of common conditions, including mental decline, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (9Trusted Source).

Experts note that enhanced mitochondrial health may be behind many of the broad health claims associated with PQQ, such as improved memory, energy, and sleep.

Several test-tube and animal studies indicate that PQQ increases cellular mitochondria production via several complex pathways, but almost no evidence suggests a similar effect in humans — or which health benefits would be derived from it (2Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

Still, a small, 8-week study in 17 people found that taking 20 mg of PQQ daily resulted in significant self-reported improvements in sleep quality and fatigue (12).

The study authors noted that these effects may have been due to PQQ’s influence on mitochondrial health, but insufficient data was collected to confirm that theory.

Due to a lack of evidence, more research is needed.