Ergothioneine: The "antioxidant gold" in the anti-aging industry is expected to usher in new opportunities
07/25/2025 09:48:20
In 1909, French scientist Charles Tanret isolated a unique sulfur-containing compound, Ergothioneine (EGT), for the first time while studying ergot fungi. After a century of research, this natural antioxidant has now become a star ingredient in the fields of anti-aging, brain protection, liver protection, skin care, etc., and is known as the "Hermes of the antioxidant world."
1. Ergothioneine: The scientific mechanism of super antioxidants
Ergothioneine is a sulfur-containing amino acid derived from L-histidine. Its unique thiol-thiol tautomeric structure makes it extremely stable under physiological pH conditions, and its antioxidant capacity far exceeds that of traditional antioxidants. DPPH free radical scavenging capacity is 14 times that of glutathione and 30 times that of coenzyme Q10; directly scavenges reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl free radicals and superoxide free radicals to protect cells from oxidative damage; chelates transition metal ions (such as copper and iron) to prevent them from catalyzing oxidative reactions; activates the Nrf2/ARE pathway and upregulates endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); in addition, ergothioneine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue, protecting neurons from oxidative stress damage and delaying cognitive decline;
2. Six health benefits of ergothioneine
（1）. Anti-aging: prolong life by 20% and reverse cell aging. The latest research in "Cell" shows that supplementing ergothioneine can prolong the life of Caenorhabditis elegans by 20%, and significantly improve the muscle mass and exercise endurance of elderly rats. In human trials, continuous use for 6 months can increase mitochondrial function by 18%, and telomerase activity by 23% after 1 year.
（2）. Brain protection: Improve cognition and prevent Alzheimer's disease. A study by the National University of Singapore found that patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) had significantly improved memory after supplementing with ergothioneine for 12 weeks. Experiments at Huazhong Agricultural University have confirmed that ergothioneine can reduce brain aging induced by D-galactose, increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and enhance learning and memory abilities.
（4）. Liver protection: Reduce transaminases and repair liver damage. A human clinical trial of only three biologicals showed that after taking ergothioneine for 30 days, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased by 21.3% and 19.6%, respectively, and liver function was significantly improved.
（5）. Eye protection: Relieve dry eye syndrome and prevent cataracts. Ergothioneine has extremely high concentrations in eye tissues and can prolong the tear film breakup time by 27.74%, effectively relieving dry eye syndrome. Its antioxidant properties can prevent age-related eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
（6）. Skin care: anti-UV, anti-wrinkle, whitening three-in-one anti-aging of the dermis: reduce UV-induced collagen loss by up to 72.9%, and enhance type I collagen synthesis. Epidermal protection: reduce UV-induced DNA damage and reduce spots. Whitening and lightening: Domestic companies have obtained special whitening and anti-aging patents for ergothioneine, proving its whitening effect.
（7）. Improve sleep and cardiovascular health Ergothioneine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, regulate neurotransmitters, relieve anxiety, and improve sleep. By inhibiting inflammatory factors (such as TNF-α, IL-1β), it protects the cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis.
3. How to supplement ergothioneine?
（1）. Natural food sources Mushrooms (Matsutake, Ganoderma lucidum, Oyster mushroom, Shiitake mushroom) Animal liver (pig liver, beef liver) Grains and beans (rye, kidney beans) But the content in food is limited, 10mg ergothioneine ≈ 1.6kg Oyster mushroom, which is difficult to meet daily needs.
（2）. Dietary supplements: China has mass-produced 99.99% high-purity ergothioneine through synthetic biology, reducing costs by 90%. Recommended dose: 10-60 mg/day, higher absorption rate when taken with meals in the morning.
4. Future Outlook:
Industrialization and clinical breakthroughs of ergothioneine With the development of synthetic biology, the production cost of ergothioneine has dropped significantly, turning it from a "luxury product" into a mass consumer product.
In 2024, the ergothioneine market will grow by 1071.5% year-on-year, becoming the "new top stream" in the anti-aging track. In the future, ergothioneine is expected to be approved as a new resource food raw material in China, rewriting the new paradigm of health management.
