Should ergothioneine be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient for healthy aging?
Ergothioneine, a review (Br J Nutr 2023, PMID 38018890) — ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in certain foods, is linked to better health outcomes in older adults and may be an essential nutrient for healthy aging. No numeric effect size is reported for Ergothioneine in the source abstract.
Source: Br J Nutr 2023, PMID 38018890 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Br J Nutr · 2023 · PMID 38018890 · DOI 10.1017/S0007114522003592
Ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in certain foods, is linked to better health outcomes in older adults and may be an essential nutrient for healthy aging.
The question
Should ergothioneine be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient for healthy aging?
What they tested
The authors hypothesize that dietary ergothioneine plays critical roles in healthy aging and the prevention of cardiometabolic disease, suggesting it may be a conditionally essential micronutrient.
How they did it
This is a review article that synthesizes existing evidence regarding ergothioneine's physiological functions, its role as a cellular antioxidant and cytoprotectant, and its associations with health outcomes in humans and animals.
What they found
Ergothioneine is acquired from the diet via the SLC22A4 transporter, which also reabsorbs it in the kidney. It acts as an antioxidant, chelates metals, and may regulate Nrf2 activity. Genetic knockout of SLC22A4 increases susceptibility to oxidative stress. In humans, blood levels decline after age 60, and lower levels are linked to faster cognitive decline. High plasma ergothioneine is associated with reduced cardiovascular and overall mortality risks.
What it means
The evidence reviewed suggests critical roles for dietary ergothioneine in healthy aging and preventing cardiometabolic disease, supporting the consideration of ergothioneine as a conditionally essential micronutrient.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the reviewed studies or the review itself, but it does mention 'outstanding research questions in the field'.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Ergothioneine: an underrecognised dietary micronutrient required for healthy ageing? |
|---|---|
| Journal | Br J Nutr |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 38018890 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1017/S0007114522003592 ↗ |
| Topic | Nutrition, micronutrients & whole foods |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Ergothioneine (L-Ergo)
In humans, blood ergothioneine levels tend to fall with age, particularly after 60, and multiple observational and prospective studies link lower plasma ergothioneine to a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia, cardiovascular disease, frailty and overall mortality;
Ergothioneine (L-ergothioneine, "L-Ergo") is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid (a…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Should ergothioneine be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient for healthy aging? [Plain-English summary of Br J Nutr 2023, PMID 38018890, DOI 10.1017/S0007114522003592]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38018890.html@misc{magellan_d38018890,
title = {Should ergothioneine be considered a conditionally essential micronutrient for healthy aging?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38018890.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 38018890; DOI 10.1017/S0007114522003592; Br J Nutr 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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