Pterostilbene
A dimethylated analogue of resveratrol found in blueberries, with substantially better oral bioavailability. Often paired with NAD+ precursors as a sirtuin activator, but direct human longevity or outcome data are minimal and rest largely on preclinical work.
01 Overview
Pterostilbene is a naturally methoxylated stilbene structurally related to resveratrol. The two methoxy groups make it more lipophilic and metabolically stable, giving it markedly higher oral bioavailability and a longer half-life than resveratrol, which is its main selling point.
Preclinical studies report antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and metabolic benefits, and it is frequently co-formulated with NR in commercial products. Direct human evidence is thin: a small trial found it lowered blood pressure but modestly raised LDL cholesterol at higher doses. There is no human evidence for a lifespan or healthspan-outcome effect.
02 Mechanism
Acts as an antioxidant and proposed SIRT1/AMPK modulator similar to resveratrol, with greater membrane permeability and metabolic stability owing to its methoxy substitutions.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 50–250 mg/day | Oral | Typical supplement range, often stacked with NR. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced blood pressureLowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a small human trial at higher doses. | small | Clinical | |
| Antioxidant / neuroprotective (animal)Improves cognitive and metabolic markers in rodent aging and disease models. | moderate | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparse safety dataLong-term human safety is not established beyond small short trials. | Mild | Uncharacterised | Unconfirmed | |
| Raised LDL cholesterolThe same trial that showed blood-pressure benefit found a rise in LDL cholesterol at the higher dose without a statin. | Moderate | At higher doses | Clinical |