Rankings / Longevity — Supplements
Ergothioneine
Longevity · Fungal amino acid
Tier C+
What this is
Cheah/Halliwell and Ames advocacy as possibly essential nutrient. Decline with age correlates with cognitive dysfunction in several cohorts. Accumulates in tissues under oxidative stress. No completed longevity RCTs but reasonable mechanistic basis.
Mechanism
Unique sulfur-containing amino acid; accumulates in specific tissues via OCTN1 transporter; powerful antioxidant in mitochondria; proposed 'longevity vitamin' (Ames)
Dose & route
5-10 mg/day; mushrooms are the main dietary source (oyster, king trumpet)
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27889659/
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1809045115
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6266402/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.