VCVITAMINS/CHART

The Bottom Line

Yes, you can safely take Vitamin D (D2, D3) and PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) together; no known interaction exists between them.

VERDICT

Vitamin D (D2, D3) and PQQ together are perfectly safe to combine. Vitamin D works as a fat-soluble hormone for calcium balance and immunity, while PQQ supports mitochondrial health as a water-soluble antioxidant. They act through separate mechanisms with no known overlap.

Safe to combine Limited evidence
01 / MECHANISM

How They Interact

Vitamin D (both D2 and D3) is fat-soluble and absorbed through the intestinal lymphatics alongside dietary fat. PQQ is a water-soluble redox cofactor that is absorbed via simple diffusion and transported in the bloodstream without needing fat. Once absorbed, vitamin D requires hydroxylation by CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 to become active calcitriol, which then binds the nuclear vitamin D receptor. PQQ does not use these enzymes; it acts as an antioxidant and influences cellular signaling pathways like Nrf2 and mitochondrial biogenesis. Neither molecule shares a transporter, receptor, or metabolic pathway that would create competition or interference.

02 / BEST PRACTICES

How To Take Them

For most people, the simplest routine is to take Vitamin D and PQQ together with breakfast. Use Vitamin D3 with breakfast that includes some fat, and take PQQ with the same meal or with a glass of water. There is no need to space the two; they absorb independently. If you take a weekly high-dose vitamin D capsule, pair it with a fat-containing meal and take PQQ the same day, either together or at lunch. If you miss a dose, just skip it and continue the next day - never double up.

03 / FORM MATTERS

Form & Quality Differences

Vitamin D3 is generally more effective than D2 at raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, so most supplements use D3. PQQ is commonly sold as the disodium salt, but this form does not alter its interaction with vitamin D. The neutral interaction applies equally to D2 and D3.

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Practical Tips

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Be Careful Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid high-dose PQQ owing to a lack of long-term safety data. People with hypercalcemia, sarcoidosis, or a history of kidney stones should not take high-dose vitamin D without medical supervision. Those on warfarin or other anticoagulants should keep their vitamin D intake consistent because large swings can affect clotting. Always tell your doctor about any supplements, especially if you have a chronic condition.
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Sources & Further Reading

  1. NIH ODS NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin D Fact Sheet
  2. Examine.com Examine.com — Vitamin D interaction page
  3. Examine.com Examine.com — PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) interaction page
  4. PubMed PubMed — PQQ research overview

Reviewed by Caroline M. on April 22, 2026 for accuracy against the sources listed above. This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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Back To The Vitamins Chart All PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) (cellular health) Interactions All Vitamin D (D2, D3) Interactions