Rankings / Mitochondria & Cellular Energy
Ergothioneine
Mitochondria & Cellular Energy · Fungal amino acid
Tier B
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Ergothioneine as B (6.4/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, variable benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Cheah/Halliwell and Ames advocacy as possibly essential nutrient.
Typical use: 5-10 mg/day; mushrooms are the main dietary source (oyster, king trumpet) — OTC.
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/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Ergothioneine work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Ergothioneine as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as variable, producing an overall grade of B (6.4/10). Cheah/Halliwell and Ames advocacy as possibly essential nutrient.
- Is Ergothioneine safe?
- Ergothioneine has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Ergothioneine?
- 5-10 mg/day; mushrooms are the main dietary source (oyster, king trumpet)
- How does Ergothioneine work?
- Unique sulfur-containing amino acid; accumulates in specific tissues via OCTN1 transporter; powerful antioxidant in mitochondria; proposed 'longevity vitamin' (Ames)
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.