Verified research record · Human pharmacokinetic
Administration of Pure Ergothioneine to Healthy Human Subjects: Uptake, Metabolism, and Effects on Biomarkers of Oxidative Damage and Inflammation
Cheah IK et al. · Antioxidants & Redox Signaling · 2017
- Population
- Healthy adult volunteers
- Participants
- See full text
- Intervention
- Oral pure L-ergothioneine
- Duration
- Short-term pharmacokinetic study
- Topics
- Human, Safety, Oxidative stress
- PMID
- 27488221
- DOI
- 10.1089/ars.2016.6778
Key finding
Oral ergothioneine increased plasma and whole-blood levels and had low urinary excretion. Most biomarker changes were not statistically significant.
Important limitations
Small, short study designed mainly for uptake and pharmacokinetics—not clinical outcomes.
Editorial interpretation
Strong evidence that supplemental ergothioneine is absorbed; weak evidence for downstream health benefits.
Funding and conflicts
See the publication’s complete funding and conflict disclosures.