Coenzyme Q10 and PQQ may be the perfect power couple when it comes to
keeping the lights bright in your brain.

ATP is the power-currency for all cells in our body – including and especially neurons (nerve cells). ATP is made by the mitochondria (power generators) inside our cells. If our mitochondria fail to produce adequate power, our neurons cannot function properly and will eventually die.  

The Power Of Mitochondria

When mitochondria decrease, or their output decreases, our brains implement a kind of  “loadshedding” in the form of brain fog, fatigue, memory issues, difficulty concentrating and even depression or anxiety – there simply isn’t enough “power” to go around. 

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential ingredient in the generation of energy in the mitochondria, while PQQ has been shown to increase the number of mitochondria (Jonscher, Chowanadisai & Rucker, 2021). If you have more of these essential compounds to generate power, and you have more power generators (mitochondria) to do it, then it would make sense that “loadshedding” is less likely to affect your brain. 

Brain Health As We Age

As we age our bodies produces less CoQ10 so we become more dependent on external sources (such as organ meats or supplementation). Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant that has a protective function against neurological decline (Braun & Cohen, 2010).

This essential cofactor ensures our mitochondria are generating power at optimal levels and protects our valuable  “generators” from oxidative damage. Power generating equipment needs ongoing maintenance if we are to ensure optimal function and CoQ10 may assist in doing this by reducing oxidative stress. 

The Impact Of Stress On The Brain

Our brain is the organ most affected by stress, it not only perceives the stressor but also determines and orchestrates the subsequent psychological and physiological response. Chronic stress has been shown to cause an imbalance in our neural circuitry, which can have a detrimental effect on our cognition, decision making ability, anxiety, and mood (McEwen, 2017).

CoQ10 levels are reduced due to chronic stress, and as Maes et. al. (2009) showed, more than 50% of depressed patients had lowered levels of CoQ10 (the same was shown for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome).  According to a 2020 study, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and difficulties coping with the stressors of daily life can be positively influenced by CoQ10 supplementation (Maguire, Hargreaves & Gill, 2020). 

Improving Brain Health

There is no doubt that increasing neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt) can increase our “healthspan” and promote full enjoyment of life, as well as help us function at our peak cognitive ability. According to researchers, PQQ can potentially assist with this, through its ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (Yamaguchi, et. al., 1993).  

In their small trial Nakano et. al. (2012) showed that vigour, fatigue, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility,  and confusion were all improved after 8 weeks of BioPQQ® consumption. Sleep quality, duration as  well as sleep onset and maintenance were also all significantly improved. Whenever we are well  rested we feel full of vitality, our anxiety and irritability is decreased and we are able to focus and  maintain optimum mental performance. Pyrroloquinoline quinone can help us achieve just that – optimum mental performance – which is why PQQ is often seen as a nootropic (a class of substances that can boost brain performance). 

Whether our power generators decrease as we age, or perhaps our modern lives require more  energy than what our equipment was previously designed to generate, both PQQ and CoQ10 can help us by building more cellular power generators, ensuring we continue to produce the energy we  need to function. 

Find out more how to enhance brain health using natural supplements.