Get a Back-to-School Brain with Micro PQQ

Is this vitamin-like compound a missing link to more energy & better brain-power? Evidence suggests that MicroPQQ’s ability to protect optimal mitochondrial function makes it a secret weapon against age-related cognitive impairment and decline.

 

 

In 2003, a new B-vitamin-like compound called pyrroloquinoline quinone, or "PQQ" was identified as playing a necessary metabolic co-factor role in mammals. [1] Since then PQQ has been shown to help generate physical energy, maintain optimal brain and cognitive function, support cardiovascular health, play roles in reproduction and immunity, and to possess far-reaching antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties. [2] [3]

PQQ's effects are exerted where your energy is produced, i.e. in the tiny cellular power generators known as "mitochondria".

 

At Optimum Health we have been discussing with our clients and customers for over 20 years how preserving and promoting the healthy function of our mitochondria is one of the absolutely most important measures we can take to protect health....period! Yet, back then few people knew what we were talking about.

This is now changing, largely due to the growing body of research supporting the connection between impaired mitochondrial function and brain/neurological problems, ushering in a new understanding of just how critical our mitochondria are.

When oxidative and free-radical stress gets too high, mitochondrial function is impaired and cell death can follow. This is particularly true in the cells of our brain and central nervous system (CNS), which are especially susceptible to oxidative damage. [4] Such CNS "neuronal vulnerability" can be of major consequence in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's, and Parkinson's diseases (not to mention memory-loss and cognitive impairment) currently ravaging modern society. [5] Mitochondria are being considered as a key target to offset such effects. [5] 

 

PQQ is a breakthrough for mitochondrial health, not only because its potent antioxidant effects protect and boost energy production, but also because it is one of the rare substances that will increase the number of mitochondria in your cells...a process referred to as "mitochondrial biogenesis". [6]

Having more mitochondria means greater energy production, and this is particularly relevant to tissues in the brain and CNS, which are highly dependent on oxygen supply and mitochondria for their function.

 

To quickly illustrate the brain's dependency on oxygen, imagine putting a tight tourniquet around your arm. With blood and oxygen flow cut-off, your arm may be purple and numb in 5-10 minutes. But remove the tourniquet, and function will slowly return to normal.

Now consider what would happen if you cut off your air supply to your brain. Three minutes without oxygen and most of us will be experiencing brain damage. (Remember, the reason we need oxygen in the first place is because our mitochondria consume it to produce energy.)

Not only has PQQ been shown to support your mitochondrial function, and be protective against brain injury from low oxygen [7], but the results of a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study of 41 elderly subjects using a particular trademarked form of PQQ called BioPQQ™ suggested that administering 20mg per day for 12 weeks "can prevent reduction of brain function in aged persons, especially in attention and working memory.", as stated by the authors. [7]

So, by supporting mitochondrial function, and increasing the number of mitochondria we have in our cells, PQQ can not only enhance our energy, but in the process our brain-power and overall health as well.

 

Recently, the makers of BioPQQ™ have come out with a timed-released "MicroActive" version called MicroPQQ™. It has been shown to achieve better absorption, and to sustain blood plasma levels up to 2.2x more effectively than regular BioPQQ for up to 9 hours, instead of falling back to baseline levels. [9] Optimum Health Vitamins has incorporated MicroPQQ™ into two of its products, Opti-MicroPQQ® 20mg, and Cell Fuel®, where it is found with other complementary mitochondrial support substances.

Related article: How To Effectively Unleash More Energy From Your Oxygen

 

Until next time, continue to be well!

John

 

References

1. Kasahara T, Kato T. Nutritional Biochemistry: A new redox-cofactor vitamin for mammals. Nature. 2003 April 24;422(6934):832 http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v422/n6934/full/422832a.html
2. Rucker R, Chowanadisai W, Nakano M. Potential physiological importance of pyrroloquinoline quinone. Altern Med Rev. 2009 Sep;14(3):268-77.
3. Zhang L, Liu J, Cheng C, Yuan Y, Yu B, Shen A, Yan M. :The neuroprotective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone on traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma. 2012 Mar 20;29(5):851-64.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21785590 
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21258649
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19861415 
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22040225
8. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4939-3023-4_40 
9. http://maypro.com/sites/default/files/studies/MicroPQQ%20Overview.pdf