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The Wellness Messiah Podcast
Rimon explains why he sees PQQ as a standout supplement for joint preservation and mitochondrial support, based on recent animal and tissue studies. He compares it with popular NAD boosters, discusses combinations with other supplements, and outlines his cautious, low-dose cycling approach for ageing and joint pain concerns.
25:13•26 Sept 2026
Tiny Dose, Big Impact? PQQ, Joint Ageing and Mitochondria with Rimon
Episode Overview
- PQQ at low doses in animal studies was linked with 88–100% preservation of knee cartilage and better-preserved spinal discs over an ageing-equivalent period.
- Mechanistically, PQQ activates Nrf2 in joints, increases IGF‑1 receptor sensitivity and supports collagen type 2 synthesis, suggesting direct access to joint tissues.
- PQQ appears to support mitochondrial biogenesis and recycle NAD (shifting NADH back to NAD), differing from NMN and NR, which mainly increase the NAD pool and niacinamide.
- Combining PQQ with resveratrol, NMN/NR, glucosamine and chondroitin may create complementary effects, but Rimon advises separating PQQ from sulforaphane and alpha‑lipoic acid in time.
- Due to limited human data, Rimon suggests low-dose use, cycling (e.g. three times per week) and careful product selection, especially for those over 60 who are concerned about joint pain.
“"PQQ prevented approximately 88 up to 100% ageing of the major joint deterioration in the mice. This actually tells you it literally froze time."”
What drives someone to seek a life with less pain and more vitality as they age? This question sits at the heart of this session of The Wellness Messiah Podcast, where metabolic researcher Rimon breaks down why he calls PQQ "the most exciting supplement" he's seen in 2026 research.
Drawing on mouse and human tissue studies, he walks you through how tiny doses of PQQ – the equivalent of just 3 to 5 mg a day – were linked with 88–100% preservation of knee cartilage in mice over a human-like span of 35–40 years.
He connects this to back discs too, pointing out that disc degeneration is "a major pain cause of ageing" and why joint pain is so personal to him after 12 surgeries and a fused big toe. You'll hear a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of how PQQ may work: activating Nrf2 in joints, increasing IGF‑1 receptor sensitivity, supporting collagen type 2 synthesis, stimulating mitochondrial growth, and helping recycle NAD rather than just boosting its total pool.
Rimon contrasts PQQ with popular NAD boosters like NMN and NR, and explains why he’s considering swapping his low-dose niacin for PQQ instead. The episode also looks at how PQQ might combine with resveratrol, NMN/NR, glucosamine, chondroitin, sulforaphane and alpha-lipoic acid, with plenty of detail on timing and cycling to reduce risk from long-term supplementation.
He stresses the lack of long-term human data, calls supplement use "a bit of a gamble", and shares his own plan: taking PQQ three times a week, away from other Nrf2 activators, with specific products chosen for quality. If you're curious about joint health, ageing, or smart supplement stacking, this one offers plenty to chew on and might get you asking: what risks and benefits are you actually accepting with each pill you take?
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