PQQ, NMN, coenzyme Q10, and NAD+ are all nutrients that have received much attention in recent years. They have different physiological effects. Let's take a look at their differences and combined effects.
1. PQQ
PQQ stands for pyrroloquinoline quinone, a vitamin-like bioactive substance that is popular for its many beneficial effects on the body. PQQ is widely found in nature, including many animals, plants and microorganisms, such as fermented soybeans or natto, green peppers, kiwis, parsley, tea, papaya, spinach, celery, breast milk, etc.
The biological functions of PQQ are mainly concentrated in two aspects. First, it can support the growth and development of mitochondria and stimulate the rapid growth of human cells; second, it has good antioxidant properties, which can help remove free radicals and reduce cell damage. These two functions make it powerful in brain health, cardiovascular health, metabolic function health, etc. Because the human body cannot synthesize PQQ itself, it can be supplemented through dietary supplements, which are usually in powder form and prepared by microbial fermentation.
PQQ can enhance the function of the human immune system and nervous system. It is widely involved in the intracellular redox process, promotes energy metabolism and reduces oxidative damage to cells. At the same time, it can promote the proliferation and connection of neurons, help improve learning and memory ability and promote the recovery of neural function. It can reduce stress, shorten recovery time and promote the release of growth factors. In addition, PQQ can also promote angiogenesis, anti-aging and other biological effects. According to research, PQQ can also promote mitochondrial health, thereby delaying the aging process.
Since its discovery in 1979, PQQ has received great attention in nutrition and pharmacology. Since 2012, it has successively obtained GRAS certification from Health Canada (HC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and the European Commission (ESFA).
From the perspective of functional characteristics, PQQ has outstanding advantages and has great application potential in the market. PQQ can support the growth and development of mitochondria, stimulate the rapid growth of human cells, has strong antioxidant properties, can help remove free radicals and reduce cell damage. It has a powerful effect on cardiovascular health, brain health, metabolic function health, etc., mainly helping physical recovery and anti-fatigue.
2. NMN
NMN is the full name of nucleotide diphosphate, which is a precursor of vitamin B3 and can be converted into NAD+ in cells. NAD+ is an intracellular energy molecule that can affect many basic functions of the body, including mitochondrial function, DNA repair and cell regeneration. As we age, the amount of NAD+ in the body gradually decreases, which leads to decreased energy metabolism and various physiological characteristics associated with aging.
Many studies have shown that NMN can reverse this situation, bringing many health benefits. It can promote NAD+ levels in the body, thereby enhancing mitochondrial function, improving metabolic capacity, improving blood sugar levels and regulating blood pressure, and reducing physiological characteristics of aging, making people feel younger, healthier and more energetic.
3. Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble quinone compound widely present in the body. It is a drug for nourishing the myocardium and improving myocardial metabolism. This product has the function of promoting oxidative phosphorylation reactions and protecting the integrity of biological membrane structures. It is used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as viral myocarditis, chronic heart failure, hepatitis, such as viral hepatitis, subacute liver necrosis, chronic active hepatitis, and cancer, and can reduce certain adverse reactions caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The elimination half-life of this product is about 34 hours, that is, the time it takes for the drug concentration in the blood or the amount of drug in the body to be reduced to half is about 34 hours.
Coenzyme Q10 is one of the commonly used therapeutic drugs in the clinical cardiovascular department and one of the most widely used health products.
4. NAD+
AD is a biological term, and its Chinese name is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, abbreviated as coenzyme I. It is a kind of electron transfer and a coenzyme of many dehydrogenases in the body. It connects the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the respiratory chain. Its function is to transfer hydrogen removed during metabolism to flavin protein. NADH or more accurately NADH and H+ is its reduced form.
NAD+ was originally discovered as an essential component of the process that transfers chemical energy from food into the ATP fuel cells need. Recent studies have shown that NAD+ itself is an "energy currency" similar to ATP, a complex organic chemical that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells.
NAD+ is also a functional signaling molecule in processes related to energy production, including PARP-1 and sirtuins. When DNA damage occurs, PARP-1 consumes large amounts of NAD+, resulting in reduced energy production. In addition, high levels of NAD+ can activate sirtuins, allowing them to carry out metabolic and stress protection responses and contribute to longevity.
People can increase the level of NAD+ in the body by supplementing NAD+ precursors in several ways. Existing research data shows that there are five NAD+ precursors, including NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), NA (niacin), NAM (nicotinamide), NR (nicotinamide riboside), and Trp (tryptophan), which can be converted into NAD+.
By supplementing with NAD+ precursors, the biosynthesis of NAD+ can be increased, thereby increasing the level of NAD+ in the body. Therefore, NAD+ precursor supplementation also represents a potential therapeutic strategy to slow down aging and improve age-related diseases.
5. The difference between PQQ and Coenzyme Q10
As a cell vitality and skin ageing black technology, PQQ can help cells generate new mitochondria and improve the efficiency of mitochondrial energy production, thereby helping to improve skin quality and slow down skin aging. At the same time, PQQ also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce free radical damage and keep the skin healthy. Coenzyme Q10 is widely used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Coenzyme Q10 can promote heart health and improve the efficiency of energy production, thereby effectively alleviating various myocardial problems and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Coenzyme Q10 also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can protect vascular endothelial cells and prevent arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
PQQ disodium salt is an aromatic heteroquinone, defined as a new type of B vitamin after vitamin B12. Around 2012, it was successively used as a new functional food raw material in the US FDA, Canadian Ministry of Health, Japan, the European Union, and China. It has antioxidant, anti-aging, and human immunity-enhancing effects, and is a safe food raw material. Currently, the common PQQ supplement products on the market are mainly aimed at brain health, sleep aid, oral beauty, etc., and are often used in combination with various raw materials such as MNM and coenzyme Q10.
The antioxidant capacity of PQQ is 7.4 times that of vitamin C. Under the same efficacy, the amount of PQQ disodium salt required may be only 1/10 to 1/100 of vitamin C. This is because PQQ has stronger thermal stability.
6. The role of PQQ, NMN and coenzyme Q10
When these three nutrients are used together, they can work synergistically with each other to further enhance the body's immunity, promote cell regeneration and repair, and delay the aging process. For example, PQQ and NMN can promote each other, increase the level of NAD+ in cells, thereby enhancing cell metabolism, and have a significant effect in preventing aging and liver health. Coenzyme Q10 and PQQ can also complement each other to further enhance cardiovascular function, increase the activity of oxidoreductase, prevent lipid peroxidation, etc.
It is worth mentioning that the relationship between PQQ and NMN is not limited to their characteristics and functions. Studies have shown that PQQ can enhance the effect of NMN, making it easier to be absorbed by cells and improving its bioavailability. Therefore, many people use these two substances together to achieve the best health effects.
In short, the combined use of PQQ, NMN and coenzyme Q10 can achieve a multi-faceted balance of nutritional supplements, help the body maintain normal physiological functions, and achieve better health care effects.