The brain has advanced functions critical to life support. Cognitive functions include various processes such as perception, attention, memory, decision-making, and language understanding. It is a higher-order brain function. However, cognitive function must be maintained and improved because it deteriorates with age. For young people with conditions such as ADHD, improving cognitive function is also critical to improving their quality of life. Various foods have been shown to improve cognitive function.
Currently, clinical research related to PQQ is being carried out step by step, and the improvement effect of PQQ on brain cognitive function has been confirmed by foreign research teams.
What is PQQ
PQQ, called pyrroloquinoline quinone, is called the fourteenth vitamin by the world's medical community; it is a coenzyme of oxidoreductase and an essential nutrient for the human body. It has a variety of biological effects and has a unique chemical structure of o-benzoquinone. PQQ is widely distributed in nature and naturally occurs in various foods, including plant-derived foods (such as potatoes, spinach, parsley, green peppers), fermented foods (such as fermented soybeans - natto, tofu, miso) and animal-derived foods Food (such as milk, eggs); it also exists in various tissues of the human body, especially concentrated in breast milk, and is an essential factor for the healthy development of babies.
Generic name: Pyrroquinoline quinone disodium salt
Common abbreviation: PQQ disodium salt
English name: Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt
Chinese chemical name: 4,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-1hydro-pyrrole [2,3-f]quinoline-2,7,9-tricarboxylic acid disodium salt
English chemical name: 4,5-Dioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3f] quinoline-2,7,9-tricarboxylic acid-disodinm salt
CAS code: 122628-50-6
Effects of PQQ on cognitive function
01.PQQ improves cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly people
In 2022, a foreign research team published an article in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association, studying the effects of PQQ on the memory, attention, judgment and cognitive functions of middle-aged and elderly people.
Researchers used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate changes in cognitive function and adverse effects after 12 weeks of PQQ supplementation in 64 healthy men and women (40 to <80 years).
A total of 58 subjects (placebo = 31; age = 70.91 ± 3.06 Y; PQQ group = 27; age = 72.10 ± 3.77 Y) completed the study during the 12-week supplementation period. Compared with the placebo group, the PQQ group had better cognitive performance in "complex memory", "verbal memory", "reaction time", "complex attention", "cognitive flexibility", "executive function" and "motor speed". There was a significant improvement in cognitive function domain scores. DECO and MMSE-J scores also improved significantly in the PQQ group. No adverse events were observed.
Studies have shown that PQQ supplementation is safe and has no adverse effects, and can help improve memory, attention, judgment and cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly people.
02.PQQ improves brain function in young and old adults
In 2023, a foreign research team published an article in "Food & Function" studying the impact of PQQ on the cognitive function of adults aged 20 to 65.
Researchers used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate changes in cognitive function and adverse effects after 12 weeks of PQQ supplementation in 70 healthy adults aged 20 to 65 years. Participants were given PQQ (20 mg daily) for 12 weeks. 66 people completed the test.
After 12 weeks, participants showed improvements in compound memory and verbal memory. The researchers conducted further age-stratified analyses. In young adults (20-40 years old), PQQ improved cognitive function (cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and executive speed) after 8 weeks. In adults aged 20-65 years, cognitive function in compound memory and verbal memory improved after 12 weeks. Only older adults (41-65 years old) showed improvements in complex memory and verbal memory after 12 weeks. No adverse events were observed during this period.
PQQ becomes a new food ingredient
Since its discovery in 1979, PQQ has received great attention in nutrition and pharmacology. In 2012, Health Canada (HC) approved PQQ as a natural health food; in 2016, PQQ obtained GRAS certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); in addition, PQQ also obtained approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the European Commission. (ESFA) certified.
On February 2, 2023, the National Health Commission issued an acceptance announcement for pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (PQQ). The acceptance number is Weishi Xinshenzi (2023) No. 0001. This is the first one to be accepted in 2023. New food raw materials. Previously, PQQ had been approved as a new food raw material in the National Health Commission’s Announcement No. 1 of 2022 in March 2022.
Post time: Dec-18-2023