Little-Known Nutrient for Healthier Aging

Many people know about the health benefits of mushrooms.

But few are aware of the compound that scientists believe is largely responsible for those benefits: L-ergothioneine.

A growing number of studies are linking L-ergothioneine to improved health and youthful aging.¹

The problem is that L-ergothioneine levels in the body naturally decline with age, especially after age 60.²

Fortunately, oral L-ergothioneine, made using a specialized fermentation method, has been shown to boost levels in the body.³

L-ergothioneine is a powerful anti-inflammatory.^4,5 In preclinical studies it has been shown to protect cells against DNA damage.^6,7

Human observational studies and clinical trials suggest it could improve cognitive function,^3,8 promote younger-looking skin,⁹ support cardiometabolic health,¹⁰ improve sleep,¹¹ and reduce the risk of all-cause mortality.¹²

Understanding L-Ergothioneine

L-ergothioneine is an amino acid, but not one the body can produce.⁶

The only organisms known to make L-ergothioneine are certain mushrooms and a few microbes.^6,13 Most people in the U.S. get only small amounts of L-ergothionine in their diet.⁴

Once consumed, a special transporter in the body shuttles L-ergothioneine into cells.^1,4

L-ergothioneine is a powerful antioxidant.¹³ It concentrates in the mitochondria of cells and tissues, including those that are frequently exposed to harmful oxidative stress, such as the brain, eyes, heart and blood vessels, and skin.^14,15 Preclinical studies have shown its potential to protect cells against damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids.^16,17

Interest in L-ergothioneine exploded when a study found that people in Italy (who consume 4.6 mg of L-ergothioneine a day) had a significantly longer life expectancy than Americans (who average only 1.1 mg of L-ergothioneine daily).⁴

When scientists administered L-ergothioneine to mice orally, their average lifespan increased by a stunning 21% compared to untreated animals.¹⁸

Preserving Telomeres to Slow Aging

A key driver of biological aging and age-related disease is the shortening of telomeres.¹⁹

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Chromosomes are threadlike structures inside the nucleus of a cell, made up of DNA, proteins, and other material, that carry the genetic information for the whole organism and for each cell.²⁰ Every time cells divide, telomeres shorten.²¹

When telomeres get too short for the cell to divide, the cell may become senescent.¹⁹ Senescent cells can be dysfunctional and promote chronic inflammation.²²

The accumulation of senescent cells can promote visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles,²³ and increase risk of age-related health conditions,^24,25 including cognitive decline.^24,26,27

Preclinical research suggests L-ergothioneine reduces telomere shortening, which may slow the aging process. ^5,21,28

When scientists used L-ergothioneine to treat cultured human cells for eight weeks and compared them to untreated cells, they found the amino acid:²¹

• Boosted the median telomere length, and
• Reduced the percentage of short telomeres.

These benefits were especially strong when cells were exposed to oxidative stress.

Protecting Cognition

In a study of 470 older adults attending memory clinics, those with lower blood levels of L-ergothioneine had worse brain function, including poorer memory.²⁹

Over the next five years, those with lower L-ergothioneine levels had significantly faster rates of decline in overall cognitive function.²⁹

Another study found that Alzheimer’s disease patients with lower L-ergothioneine levels had a 12% faster rate of disease progression over two years.³⁰

To test whether taking oral L-ergothioneine could improve brain function and delay cognitive decline, scientists in Singapore enrolled 19 adults aged 60 and older who had mild cognitive impairment. They were randomized to receive 25 mg of L-ergothioneine or a placebo three times a week for one year.⁸

The treatment group had significant improvements in memory and learning ability compared to the placebo.

The L-ergothioneine group also experienced stabilization of neurofilament light chain levels, a marker of brain injury and neurodegenerative disease,31 while the measure worsened in the placebo group.⁸

In a larger study, 140 healthy older adults with subjective memory concerns³ were given either 25 mg of L-ergothioneine, 10 mg of L-ergothioneine, or a placebo daily for 16 weeks.

While the 10 mg dose boosted L-ergothioneine blood levels six-fold, the 25 mg dose boosted L-ergothioneine levels 16-fold in the same period.

Both L-ergothioneine groups had significant improvements in brain function, including:

• Executive function, the ability to plan and execute goals,
• Complex attention, focusing on multiple things at once,
• Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt to new or changing information, and
• Verbal memory.

But only the 25 mg L-ergothioneine group had significant improvements in prospective memory, remembering to perform actions in the future, and in the ability to fall asleep.³

What You Need To Know

Support Healthy Aging with L-Ergothioneine

• L-ergothioneine is an amino acid found in mushrooms and a few other foods that helps promote youthful aging. Few people get enough from their diet, and the body can’t make the compound.
• Higher dietary intake of L-ergothioneine is associated with longer life expectancy, lower rates of heart disease and cardiovascular mortality, and better brain function.
• Preclinical studies show that L-ergothioneine helps protect telomeres, potentially slowing biological aging.
• In a clinical trial, daily oral intake of 25 mg of L-ergothioneine helped improve cognitive function and promoted quality sleep.

Other Health Benefits

Many other potential health benefits of L-ergothioneine have been uncovered, including:

Cardiometabolic wellness. In a population study that followed 3,236 adults for 20 years, higher blood levels of L-ergothioneine were associated with a 15% lower risk of heart disease, a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality, and a 14% lower risk of death from any cause.¹⁰

Improved sleep. When poor sleepers (ages 40 to 75) took 20 mg of L-ergothioneine daily for four weeks, sleep problems decreased and sleep quality improved, compared to placebo.¹¹

These and other benefits may add up to better health and more youthful aging.

Summary

L-ergothioneine, an amino acid found in mushrooms, could be a game changer for youthful aging.

Preclinical research has shown it protects the telomeres of cells, helping to slow the aging process.

In human studies, L-ergothioneine has improved cognitive ability and ability to fall asleep.

Standardized L-ergothioneine produced by a specialized fermentation process has been shown to help boost body levels of this amino acid and shows promise to promote healthy aging.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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