---
title: "Evidence: plasma ergothioneine, cytoprotection"
description: "Higher levels of the metabolite ergothioneine are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and death."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s108.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s108.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s108.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s108"
journal: "Heart"
year: 2019
pmid: "31672783"
doi: "10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315485"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Evidence: plasma ergothioneine, cytoprotection

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s108.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s108

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Heart |
| Year | 2019 |
| PMID | [31672783](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31672783/) |
| DOI | [10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315485](https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315485) |
| Study key | s108 |

## Takeaway

Higher levels of the metabolite ergothioneine are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and death.

## The question

What are the molecular events linking a healthy food pattern to reduced risk of cardiometabolic disease?

## Hypothesis

Plasma metabolites associated with a health conscious food pattern (HCFP) will predict cardiometabolic disease and mortality.

## Methods

Plasma levels of 112 metabolites were measured in 3236 participants from the Malmö Diet and Cancer study using liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry. Participants had no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Multivariable adjusted linear regressions identified metabolites associated with the HCFP. These biomarkers were then related to the risk of cardiometabolic disease and mortality using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models during long-term follow-up.

## Results

During a median follow-up of 21.4 years, 603 participants developed CVD, 362 developed diabetes mellitus, and 843 died. Five healthy dietary biomarkers were associated with the HCFP at baseline, and four of these predicted at least one of the studied endpoints. Ergothioneine was the metabolite most strongly connected to the HCFP and was associated with a lower risk of coronary disease (HR=0.85), cardiovascular mortality (HR=0.79), and overall mortality (HR=0.86) per 1 SD increment.

## Conclusion

Higher plasma ergothioneine is an independent marker of lower risk of cardiometabolic disease and mortality, potentially influenced by a healthy dietary intake.

## Limitations

The study identified associations but did not establish causality between ergothioneine levels and reduced risk. The specific dietary components of the HCFP that induce higher ergothioneine were not detailed.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> higher ergothioneine was an independent marker of lower risk of cardiometabolic disease and mortality

## Ergothioneine and Risk Reduction

| Measure | Hazard Ratio |
| --- | --- |
| Coronary Disease | 0.85 |
| Cardiovascular Mortality | 0.79 |
| Overall Mortality | 0.86 |

*Hazard Ratios (HR) for outcomes per 1 standard deviation increment of plasma ergothioneine.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ergothioneine (L-Ergo) | Moderate evidence | [Ergothioneine (L-Ergo)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/108.md) |

## Reference

1. **Evidence: plasma ergothioneine, cytoprotection**
   Heart 2019 · [PMID 31672783](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31672783/) · [DOI 10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315485](https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315485)

   > higher ergothioneine was an independent marker of lower risk of cardiometabolic disease and mortality

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Ergothioneine (L-Ergo)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/108.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Ergothioneine promotes longevity and healthy aging in male mice](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38446314.md)
- [Ergothioneine: an underrecognised dietary micronutrient required for healthy ageing?](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38018890.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).