Rankings / Longevity — Supplements
NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid)
Longevity · Plant lignan / ITP geroprotector
Tier D
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) as D (3.3/10) based on weak evidence, low-unknown benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 3.5/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
One of the NIA Interventions Testing Program's positive hits: NDGA extended median lifespan in male (not female) genetically heterogeneous mice across multiple sites (Strong et al.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: No established safe human dose; FDA has issued a hepatotoxicity warning for chaparral supplements — Supplement (chaparral); FDA has warned against chaparral for hepatotoxicity; not approved for any longevity use; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
One of the NIA Interventions Testing Program's positive hits: NDGA extended median lifespan in male (not female) genetically heterogeneous mice across multiple sites (Strong et al., Aging Cell 2008). Mechanism is debated — lipoxygenase inhibition, antioxidant activity, lower IGF-1. But the source plant (chaparral/creosote bush) has caused documented acute liver failure in humans, and the FDA has warned against chaparral supplements. No human longevity data exists. The row records a male-mouse geroprotector signal alongside documented human hepatotoxicity and absent human longevity evidence.
Mechanism
Creosote-bush (Larrea tridentata) lignan; a lipoxygenase inhibitor and antioxidant that lowers IGF-1/insulin signaling and inflammation — the proposed mechanisms behind its rodent lifespan effect
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
No established safe human dose; FDA has issued a hepatotoxicity warning for chaparral supplements
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-unknown, producing an overall grade of D (3.3/10). One of the NIA Interventions Testing Program's positive hits: NDGA extended median lifespan in male (not female) genetically heterogeneous mice across multiple sites (Strong et al.
- What safety findings are reported for NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid)?
- NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (hepatotoxicity — chaparral/creosote supplements have caused human liver failure; kidney cysts in animals) Legal status: Supplement (chaparral); FDA has warned against chaparral for hepatotoxicity; not approved for any longevity use.
- What does the low Safety score for NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) represent?
- The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid)?
- No established safe human dose; FDA has issued a hepatotoxicity warning for chaparral supplements This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid) work?
- Creosote-bush (Larrea tridentata) lignan; a lipoxygenase inhibitor and antioxidant that lowers IGF-1/insulin signaling and inflammation — the proposed mechanisms behind its rodent lifespan effect
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.