6 Best PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Supplements (2024) Reviewed and Compared
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Posted by
David Rosales
PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a vitamin-like molecule that’s found in many fruits and vegetables.
Early research has shown that it improves mitochondrial function, which, if you’re a longevity and health nerd like I am, you know often corresponds with general health and high performance.
It’s also been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. However, a lot of the research right now comes from in-vitro, where it’s been very effective, and animals, where it’s been effective but not overwhelmingly so.
We’re lacking the human trials to affirm whether its place in our supplement arsenal.
Nonetheless, it also seems to be a safe and inexpensive supplement. You can also get it from many fruits and vegetables, like parsley, green peppers, and kiwi. So yes, for the 10,000th time, I am once again asking you to eat more fruits and vegetables.
If you’re looking for a PQQ supplement, here are the best products on the market. Every product on our list is third-party tested and cGMP-certified.
The supplement industry is full of crap, because it’s not regulated by the FDA. We’ve only included products that have gone through the process to ensure safety and transparency. For companies that go beyond this, we likely ranked them higher.
*Note: We do have affiliate links throughout this article, which means we receive a commission if you purchase from any of our links. This supports our mission to bring complicated health and fitness info in an entertaining package. And it keeps us from putting up annoying things like banner ads. Those suck.
1) Lifeforce Peak HealthSpan
If you’re looking for PQQ, chances are you’re looking to combat aging and feel your best.
The Peak Healthspan supplement is a comprehensive solution for those seeking to address the multifaceted aspects of aging. It’s formulated with a proprietary compound called NAD3, which is designed to enhance the body’s ability to produce more NAD+ from vitamin B3, a crucial component for cellular health and longevity.
One of the key ingredients in this supplement is, you guessed it, PQQ. In the context of Peak Healthspan, PQQ contributes to the supplement’s overall goal of supporting cellular resilience and cognitive health.
The supplement also includes omega-3s, known for their beneficial effects on brain, heart, muscle, liver, and immune system health.
If your goal is to improve longevity outcomes overall, consider a supplement that targets aging from multiple angles like Peak Healthspan.
2) Seeking Health PQQ
$32.95 for 30, 20mg lozenges.
Seeking Health’s PQQ product has a few advantages over others. First of all, they use a patented form of PPQ disodium salt called PQQLife®, which is made from an FDA GRAS-approved fermentation process.
Seeking Health PQQ also comes in a lozenge form, rather than a capsule.
PQQ has shown tremendous promise in cell studies, but that hasn’t translated to humans. One of the ideas behind why this could be is because, like many supplements, it could have a hard time making it through the harsh environment of human digestion.
Seeking Health’s product comes in a lozenge, so you absorb the PQQ sublingually. This averts the digestion tract altogether.
Whether this actually improves bioavailability and absorption of PQQ is still up for debate, and more research is needed. But the cost is comparable and equal to other top products, so there’s not much risk.
Because of the convenience, quality, and potentially higher absorption, Seeking Health PQQ is the #1 pick on our list.
This product is allergen-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and has no artificial anything.
3) Double Wood Supplements PQQ (Best Value)
$19.95 for 60, 20mg capsules
This PQQ product from Double Wood Supplements is the best value from a high-quality brand. For under $20, you get twice the servings as most other companies at the same 20mg dose. It’s the best deal from a reputable company you’ll find.
Double Wood also displays the test results of their products right on the site, so you know you’re getting a high-quality product.
They use a vegetarian capsule. It’s non-GMO, gluten-free, allergen-free, and free of artificial anything.
4) Doctor’s Best PQQ with BioPQQ®
$18.61 for 30, 20mg capsules
Doctor’s Best PQQ product is one of the most popular on the market. They use a patented form of PQQ called BioPQQ®, which, like PQQLife®, has been tested by the FDA and received the GRAS designation.
It comes in veggie capsules made with cellulose and it’s vegan-friendly.
5) Life Extension PQQ
$13.50 for 30, 10mg capsules
Clinical trials still haven’t given us a clear answer on the optimal dose of PQQ. If you’d like to start with a smaller dose, then Life Extension has a PQQ product with just 10mg of PQQ.
If you’d like a lower overall cost to try out the ingredient then this is a solid product.
6) Jarrow Formulas QH-Absorb + PQQ
$46.77 for 60, 10mg PQQ + 100mg Ubiquinol capsules
PQQ is often taken together with ubiquinol, which is the active antioxidant in CoQ10. We’ve also put together a guide of the best CoQ10 supplements, but this is distinct because PQQ and ubiquinol can work together to improve mitochondrial health.
So if you’re interested in both CoQ10 and PQQ supplements, Jarrow Formulas PQQ has a quality product that allows you to get both in one.
FAQ
What is PQQ?
PQQ, or Pyrroloquinoline Quinone, is a vitamin-like compound found in certain fruits and vegetables. It’s known for its potent antioxidant properties and its ability to support cellular energy.
What Time of Day Should I Take PQQ?
Since it plays a role in energy production, PQQ may interfere with sleep. Therefore, it’s best to take it in the morning, and you should avoid taking PQQ within five hours of bedtime.
What’s the Best Dose of PQQ?
Based on animal studies, a similar dose for humans of as low as 2mg may have an effect. Most supplements come in 20mg doses. But you can also buy 10mg doses.
Some human research studies used 40mg.
So it’s hard to say which dose is exactly the best. 10-20mg seems like a good place to start based on our current information.
What Are the Benefits of PQQ?
Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, PQQ may have an array of benefits. Antioxidants fight free radicals (which you probably remember from the commercials.)
Most notably, though, since PQQ improves mitochondrial function, this can have an array of downstream effects.
Promote Healthy Aging
Recently, some research has suggested that PQQ should be investigated further as an anti-aging supplement. In fact, some animal models like this study on worms showed increased lifespan from PQQ supplementation.
If you’re interested in longevity, I also recommend looking into supplements like NMN and glutathione.
Support Cognitive Function
While not a typical “nootropic” ingredient, PQQ may improve brain function as a consequence of its benefits on the mitochondria. That is, when you have better mitochondria, you likely have better energy levels, which means your brain is going to work better. Pretty simple.
For more on how PQQ impacts the nervous system directly, we’ll need more research.
If you’re looking for brain health supplements,
Support Cardiovascular Health
This claim still needs a lot more research, but some research suggests that, by improving mitochondrial function, it can prevent chronic heart failure.
It seems that any heart health benefits will come in people who are either at risk for heart conditions, or already have some kind of heart problem.
Relatedly, one randomized trial on 49 adult men showed that PQQ may lower LDL cholesterol, albeit mildly.
How Does PQQ Improve Mitochondrial Function?
As discussed in this 2022 study in Nature, PQQ uses its antioxidant properties to help protect mitochondria from oxidative stress. Additionally though, as noted in this 2010 study in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, PQQ may also help “mitochondrial biogenesis.” This is, it helps our body make more mitochondria.
Are There Any Side Effects to PQQ Supplementation?
PQQ first became available in 2009. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists no adverse effects for PQQ, however, it’s still a relatively new supplement.
That said, most users don’t report any side effects. As far as supplements go, as long as you stick to the recommend dose, there don’t seem to be many risks.
Is It Worth Taking a PQQ Supplement?
Of course, the answer is it depends. As mentioned, PQQ, while a relatively new supplement, has existed in our food for millennia.
Disclaimer: Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement, including PQQ. We are strangers on he internet, so consult an actual pro before making life decisions.
