In the fast-paced modern life, good sleep has become a luxury that many people can only dream of. Problems such as insomnia, shallow sleep, and dreaminess not only affect our mental state, but also erode our health for a long time. In recent years, the scientific community has shown great interest in a compound called PQQ, especially its potential in improving sleep.
The initial association between PQQ and sleep quality
PQQ is a vitamin-like substance that is widely found in certain foods and microorganisms in nature. Although it is not a vitamin in the traditional sense, its role in promoting cell energy metabolism, anti-oxidation and neuroprotection cannot be ignored.
In recent years, many studies have shown that PQQ has shown unique advantages in improving sleep quality. This is mainly due to PQQ's ability to regulate the level of cortisol, a stress hormone in the human body. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. When the human body is under stress, its secretion increases, making it difficult for people to fall asleep or the quality of sleep decreases. PQQ can help people relieve anxiety by reducing cortisol levels, making it easier to enter a deep sleep state.
Experimental verification of PQQ and sleep quality
In order to verify the effect of PQQ on improving sleep quality, scientists conducted a series of rigorous experimental studies.
Take a study published in Functional Foods for Health and Disease as an example. The study evaluated the effect of PQQ on the sleep quality of 17 adults. The experimental period was 8 weeks, during which the participants took PQQ supplements every day. The results showed that after taking PQQ for eight weeks, participants' multiple sleep quality indicators improved, including sleep time, sleepiness when awakening, and sleep time.
Another study on Japanese elderly people lasted 12 weeks and involved 41 healthy elderly people. The participants were divided into two groups, taking 20 mg of PQQ or placebo respectively. The results showed that PQQ significantly improved the memory and attention of the elderly, and brain scans found increased blood flow, which may indirectly support the effect of PQQ on improving sleep quality.
Multiple mechanisms of PQQ to improve sleep quality
- PQQ reduces the negative impact of stress on sleep by reducing cortisol levels.
- PQQ has a strong antioxidant effect, which can remove excessive free radicals in the body and protect nerve cells from oxidative damage. This effect helps maintain the health and stability of the nervous system and reduce sleep disorders caused by neuroinflammation.
- PQQ can also promote the production of nerve growth factor, support the regeneration and repair of nerve cells, and thus improve sleep problems related to neurodegenerative diseases.
- PQQ balances the excitation and inhibition states in the brain by regulating the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters, which helps to establish a stable sleep cycle.
References:
- Nakano, M., Ubukata, K., Yamamoto, T., & Yamaguchi, H. (2015). Effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on mental status of middle-aged and elderly persons. FOOD Style, 21, 50-53.
- Ohwada, K., Takeda, H., Yamazaki, M., Isogai, H., Nakano, M., Shimomura, M., ... & Fukui, K. (2008). Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) prevents cognitive deficit caused by oxidative stress in rats. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 42(1), 29-34.
- Nunome, K., Miyazaki, S., Nakano, M., Iguchi-Ariga, S. M., & Ariga, H. (2008). Pyrroloquinoline quinone prevents oxidative stress-induced neuronal death probably through changes in oxidative status of DJ-1. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(7), 1321-1326.
- Hamagishi, Y., Murata, S., Kamei, H., Oki, T., & Abe, H. (1988). Stimulatory effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone on nerve growth factor production. Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 36(11), 4487-4489.
- Tao, R., Karliner, J. S., Simonis, U., Zheng, J., Zhang, J., Honbo, N., & Alano, C. C. (2007). Pyrroloquinoline quinone preserves mitochondrial function and prevents oxidative injury in adult rat cardiac myocytes. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 363(2), 257-262.
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