The Effect of Ergothioneine on Lifespan and Cognition: A Study in Mice

Japanese scientists show that treating male mice with ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in mushrooms, significantly extended median and average lifespan by 16% and 21%, respectively.

For the first time, researchers from Kanazawa University in Japan have demonstrated the lifespan-supporting benefits of ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Ergothioneine is a unique amino acid that the body does not produce on its own, and we obtain it from food. The richest dietary sources are mushrooms, especially porcini and oyster mushrooms. Lion's mane mushroom also contains it, but in modest amounts compared to these rich sources. Ergothioneine has previously garnered significant attention for its ability to activate neuroprotection and enhance physical performance in aged mice.

Now, new data show that ergothioneine also possesses lifespan-extending properties, as researchers have demonstrated that it significantly extends the lifespan of male mice. These notable findings open the door to further research on how ergothioneine can be applied in dietary anti-aging interventions.

It is important to clarify the study's limitations: All direct evidence for lifespan extension is in male mice and C. elegans worms. In humans, the association is only correlative: population studies have found that low blood levels of ergothioneine are linked to frailty, cognitive decline, and age-related morbidity, but a causal relationship—where taking a supplement would extend human life or prevent diseases—has not yet been proven. This is a promising direction still awaiting confirmation in clinical trials.

A new study found that ergothioneine (ERGO), a potent antioxidant found in mushrooms, significantly extends the lifespan of male mice.

The study:

• This is the first study to comprehensively examine the effect of ERGO on lifespan and age-related disorders.
• Seven-week-old male mice received ERGO supplementation in their drinking water for the remainder of their lives.
• The ERGO dose was approximately 4-5 mg/kg per day.

Results:

• ERGO supplementation significantly extended the mice's lifespan.
• Median survival age increased by 16%.
• Average survival age increased by 21%.
• The threshold at which 90% of mice reached mortality increased by 29%.

Similar findings were also observed in worms (C. elegans) given ERGO.

References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38446314/
Katsube et al., Ergothioneine promotes longevity and healthy aging in male mice, GeroScience 2024;46(4):3889-3909. DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01111-5

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