Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ

Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ Review

We all love a supplement with a fancy name that sounds impressive and if this is your thing, Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with BioPQQ will certainly float your boat!

This supplement is billed as an energy enhancer for your cells, so it would appear that this will benefit everything from mental health to the elasticity of the skin. According to the product description, the supplement was “formulated to enhance mitochondrial function, protect delicate cellular structures, power-charge metabolic processes, and aid in the creation of new mitochondria.

Mitochondria are the powerhouse part of the cells. Called organelles they process nutrients and turn them into the energy for the cells in a biological process called cellular respiration. Not all cells have mitochondria. Some have thousands of mitochondria, others fewer or even none. Muscle cells for example need more fuel so have more mitochondria, whereas neurons (cells that manage the nervous system) can work on very few. Your body can create more mitochondria where necessary.

As we get older, mitochondrial function deteriorates and some scientists believe this is one of the driving forces of the ageing process.

Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer contains a range of ingredients that Life Extension claim will boost your “cellular dynamos”. These include a substance called PQQ, a micro nutritient that the makers claim will trigger new mitochondria to grow, amino acid Carnosine, a plant derived substance called Luteolin and more. Check out the ingredients tab to find out more.

Life Extension is a US company focused on health and anti-ageing, and overall Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with BioPQQ looks pretty convincing. Life Extension has been going for the last 35 years so is a well known brand that is trusted by many people. However, this company does have a back history of making false claims about some of their products and have been charged for publishing false claims about anti-ageing.

Back in the 1990s the company directors were arrested, and as recently as 2017 the FDA launched a complaint against the company over their claims that their supplements could cure breast cancer and brain tumours and were a preferable option to conventional medicine.

There is a life extension movement in the USA which is all about increasing life span and slowing down the aging process, and many people believe that by taking supplements and other treatments, they will live longer and stay young. The Life Extension company is a key supplement provider within this movement.

We have covered Life Extension supplements in previous reviews including AmpK – Activator, a supplement supposed to reverse the ageing process in muscles.

We also covered a couple of weight loss supplement, Waist Line Control and Fucoxanthin Slim.

What Does Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ Claim To Do?

According to the product information the benefits of this supplement are as follows;

• Supports healthy mitochondrial function and cellular energy output
• Helps generate new mitochondria
• Protects cellular structures against glycation reactions and free radicals
• Inhibits inflammatory factors
• Aids in cellular metabolism of glucose

All this sounds suitably impressive and scientific but it does not explain how this translates into benefits that you might notice. Does it mean that this supplement will help you live longer? Improve mental ability? Help you lose weight or be more resilient to disease?

The product description omits to give us a basic explanation of what this supplement is actually meant to do.

Does Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ Work?

If it did work to improve health on a cellular level it would be the medical breakthrough of the century!

No. We can’t see this supplement living up to the anti-ageing and cellular health improvements, although it may have a mild nootropic effect which is not mentioned in any of the advertising. But there is no real evidence that this supplement will help mitochondria function more efficiently and help generate new mitochondria as claimed.

What Are The Ingredients of Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ?

Serving size is equal to four capsules. Information here relates to serving size rather than the individual dose per capsule

• Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5’-phosphate) (100 mg): P5P is the active enzyme of vitamin B6, and is an important part of the formation of several important neurotransmitters associated with stress and with the formation of serotonin levels, the brain’s feel good chemical. It is also involved with muscle growth and repair. Serving size is generally anything from 2.5mg to 50mg daily. At higher doses it can cause side effects. Source
• Sodium (18 mg): Sodium is an essential mineral for humans and is important for regulating blood pressure and many other physical processes but as the Western diet already is high in salt, most people consume far too much sodium. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) which is the cause of millions of premature deaths each year. There is no reason to take sodium in supplements. Source
• Carnosine (1000 mg): Carnosine is produced naturally in the body and is made up from two amino acids, Histidine and Beta Alanine. Carnosine is concentrated in areas in the body that require a lot of energy such as the muscles, heart and brain. There have been many studies focusing on the anti-aging properties of this amino acid. Lab testing has found that l-carnosine may reduce the aging of cells, and it also has also been found to extend the lifespan of mice and fruit flies. However it requires further clinical testing on humans. Source
• L-Taurine (800 mg): Taurine is an amino acid that was once touted for its energy boosting capabilities (it is an ingredient in Red Bull). These days this has been disproven but taurine may have health benefits. It is sometimes taken for mild heart failure and to improve liver function, but it lacks real evidence for other purposes. Source
• Benfotiamine (150 mg): This is a synthetic version of vitamin B1 also known as Thiamine and seems to be most useful as a treatment for pain reduction and diabetic complications such as neuropathy (nerve damage to peripheral nerves usually in the hands and feet). A small study carried out on five people suffering with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that after taking 300mg daily over 18 months, their symptoms were improved, but this does require further testing and evidence. Source
• R-Lipoic Acid (as microencapsulated Bio-Enhanced® stabilized Na-RALA sodium R-lipoate) (150 mg): Branded formula based on a form of alpha Lipoic acid, an antioxidant present in foods such as broccoli and spinach. In high levels it may help support weight loss, and it may have a Neuroprotective effect but requires further evidence. Source
• PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone) disodium salt (10 mg): PQQ is a common antioxidant molecule found in diverse substances such as soil, human breast milk, and kiwi fruit. Recently it has undergone a lot of animal testing and it may have benefits to health. BioPQQ is the branded form of this substance used here, and is supposed to boost the growth of neurons, the nerves that help the brain communicate messages around the body. Much of the research has been carried out using small scale human trials and animal testing, but results seem encouraging. So far scientific evidence is not proven, and most people extolling its virtues are just trying to sell supplements.
• Luteolin from orange extract (fruit) (8 mg): This is a flavanoid present in many ordinary foodstuffs, and scientific research suggests it may have numerous health benefits. Most research has been carried out in the lab so it requires further testing. Source

Does Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ Have Any Side Effects?

Some of the ingredients contained in this supplement are known for causing side effects.

Higher than dietary levels of Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5’-phosphate) can cause;

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Tingling sensation
• Sleepiness

Other side effects may include;

• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Body odor
• Reduced blood pressure
• Other side effects may include
• Tingling sensation
• Skin rash
• Changes to blood sugar levels

Are There Any Customer Reviews For Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ?

We found several customer reviews posted on the official Life Extension website, and also on Amazon.

Positive comments include,

Been taking this product for a short time but it feels like a great match and already having more energy!

Great for long lasting energy

Use it early in the day several hours before going to the gym.

I have a tight budget but I never miss this excellent supplement. Over the years, there have been a few days that I have forgotten to take this supplement and found that it is critical to my health as I age or otherwise I feel myself really dragging and feeling “off”.

However there were also a couple of unhappy customers,

Havent noticed any difference at all

It Did Not Do What It Said On The Tin

Overall I felt the product didn’t agree with me but may well be fine for others

Does Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?

It is unclear if you are able to return opened products, but on the official Life Extension website they state,

“We want to make sure you are happy with your purchases. To facilitate this goal, we have adopted a simple, liberal return policy: if you are unsatisfied in any way, return your purchase within 12 months of the purchase date and we will replace the product or credit your account. For further information, contact our customer service department.”

Where Can I Buy Life Extension Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer with PQQ?

You can buy Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer direct from the official Life Extension website, where you can also find a list of local US stockists.

This supplement is also on sale via some independent supplement retailers including eBay and Amazon UK.