Collections · Evidence-graded

Human RCT Evidence

Ingredients with at least 10 published human randomized controlled trials

How it works

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the gold standard of clinical evidence — it controls for placebo effects, confounders, and selection bias in ways observational studies cannot. The compounds below have all cleared the 10-RCT threshold, providing a minimum evidence floor that preclinical-only compounds cannot match. Most have 100+ RCTs.

Evidence overview

Every ingredient in this collection has at least 10 published human RCTs in PubMed, filtered from our 52-ingredient evidence library. The count reflects trials tagged by PubMed's publication-type system. Includes both Western molecules and Eastern herbs that have reached human trial volume.

Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)欧米伽-3 脂肪酸
82

Among the most-trialed supplements in medicine, with emerging evidence on biological-age slowing.

Extensive human-trial evidence4,616 RCTs2,008 trials
Metformin二甲双胍
78

The diabetes drug at the center of the longevity debate — and the TAME trial designed to test aging itself.

Extensive human-trial evidence3,581 RCTs3,118 trials
Magnesium
77

A cofactor for hundreds of enzymes, widely under-consumed, tied to sleep, metabolic, and DNA-repair pathways.

Extensive human-trial evidence3,011 RCTs2,112 trials
Vitamin D3维生素 D3
79

A foundational hormone-vitamin where deficiency is common and consequential for aging health.

Extensive human-trial evidence2,646 RCTs1,655 trials
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)雷帕霉素
75

The single most reproducible lifespan-extending molecule in animals — a prescription drug under off-label longevity study.

Extensive human-trial evidence2,122 RCTs2,382 trials
Glycine
74

A conditionally essential amino acid that becomes deficient with age and suppresses mTORC1 — extended median lifespan 28% in NIH mice studies.

Extensive human-trial evidence1,737 RCTs244 trials
Melatonin
82

Beyond sleep: melatonin is a potent mitochondrial antioxidant whose production declines ~80% from youth to old age.

Extensive human-trial evidence1,207 RCTs711 trials
Nicotinamide (Niacinamide / B3)
76

The simplest and cheapest NAD+ precursor — with extensive human trial data in skin aging and DNA repair.

Extensive human-trial evidence967 RCTs1,461 trials
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
80

The gold-standard glutathione precursor — a medical-grade antioxidant now recognized as key to correcting age-related glutathione depletion.

Extensive human-trial evidence945 RCTs662 trials
Testosterone (Replacement Therapy)睾酮(睾酮替代治疗)
58

An FDA-approved hormone replacement for diagnosed age-related hypogonadism with real muscle and mood benefits in that population — not an anti-aging therapy, and its landmark safety trial found real trade-offs alongside cardiovascular neutrality.

Extensive human-trial evidence643 RCTs220 trials
Coenzyme Q10辅酶 Q10
76

The mitochondrial electron carrier that declines with age and statin use — with cardiovascular trial support.

Extensive human-trial evidence532 RCTs261 trials
Curcumin (Turmeric)姜黄素
80

A turmeric polyphenol with one of the largest trial bases in nutraceuticals, studied for inflammation, autophagy and healthspan — bioavailability is the catch.

Extensive human-trial evidence522 RCTs394 trials
Green Tea (EGCG)绿茶 · 表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯
88

The most-studied tea catechin, linked to lifespan and healthspan in models via AMPK, sirtuin and FOXO pathways.

Extensive human-trial evidence485 RCTs286 trials
Taurine牛磺酸
70

An amino acid whose decline was linked to aging in a high-profile 2023 study — with human causality still open.

Extensive human-trial evidence471 RCTs154 trials
Inulin (Prebiotic Fiber)菊粉(益生元纤维)
58

A well-studied prebiotic fiber that reliably reshapes the gut microbiome and modestly improves glycemic markers — the microbiome-aging link is real but the longevity leap has not been tested in humans.

Extensive human-trial evidence461 RCTs104 trials
Epicatechin
74

The dark chocolate flavonoid linked to myostatin inhibition, cardiovascular protection, and mitochondrial biogenesis in human trials.

Extensive human-trial evidence458 RCTs146 trials
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)人参
78

The archetypal adaptogen; ginsenoside-rich extracts extend healthspan in model organisms via mitochondrial and stress pathways.

Extensive human-trial evidence328 RCTs223 trials
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
76

A mitochondrial cofactor active in both fat and water — the only antioxidant that regenerates glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E simultaneously.

Extensive human-trial evidence294 RCTs238 trials
Resveratrol白藜芦醇
74

The grape-and-knotweed polyphenol that launched the sirtuin era of longevity research.

Extensive human-trial evidence276 RCTs233 trials
Quercetin槲皮素
70

A widespread dietary flavonoid, studied as a senolytic partner (with dasatinib) and anti-inflammatory.

Extensive human-trial evidence272 RCTs133 trials
TMG (Trimethylglycine / Betaine)甜菜碱
71

A potent methyl donor that clears homocysteine, sustains the SAM methylation cycle, and is increasingly paired with NMN in longevity stacks.

Extensive human-trial evidence230 RCTs80 trials
Butyrate (Sodium Butyrate / Tributyrin)
71

A gut-derived HDAC inhibitor that extends lifespan in multiple animal models, promotes autophagy, and supports intestinal barrier integrity.

Extensive human-trial evidence214 RCTs138 trials
Creatine肌酸
84

One of the most evidence-backed supplements anywhere — for muscle, and increasingly for the aging brain.

Extensive human-trial evidence199 RCTs353 trials
Carnosine
72

An endogenous dipeptide that chelates metals, quenches reactive carbonyls, and inhibits protein glycation — key anti-aging mechanisms.

Extensive human-trial evidence158 RCTs53 trials
Berberine小檗碱 · 黄连素
85

An alkaloid from Chinese herbs (Coptis / Huang Lian) with human RCTs on metabolic health and an AMPK/sirtuin longevity rationale.

Extensive human-trial evidence126 RCTs127 trials
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)维生素K2(MK-7)
60

A fat-soluble vitamin with real human-RCT support for slowing arterial calcification and supporting bone density — most of the strongest trial evidence comes from higher-risk populations, not healthy longevity-seekers.

Extensive human-trial evidence121 RCTs102 trials
Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG)
73

A TCA-cycle metabolite that suppresses mTOR, co-factors DNA demethylation, and showed biological-age reduction in a 2023 human RCT.

Extensive human-trial evidence103 RCTs16 trials
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
75

The structural phospholipid of neuronal membranes — the only supplement with an FDA-qualified health claim for cognitive function.

Human RCT evidence96 RCTs50 trials
Astaxanthin
77

The most potent carotenoid antioxidant — spans lipid bilayers and crosses the blood-brain barrier, with human trials in skin, eye, and cognition.

Human RCT evidence88 RCTs72 trials
Astragalus (Huang Qi)黄芪
68

A foundational Qi tonic whose cycloastragenol fraction (TA-65) is studied for telomerase activation — with honestly mixed human evidence.

Extensive human-trial evidence83 RCTs87 trials
Blueberry蓝莓
68

An anthocyanin-rich berry with a real but modest human-trial base for cognitive and vascular healthspan — a food, not a magic-bullet longevity intervention.

Human RCT evidence79 RCTs47 trials
Sulforaphane
80

The most potent known NRF2 activator, from broccoli, with human trials in cancer chemoprevention and neuroprotection.

Human RCT evidence77 RCTs94 trials
Honokiol (Houpu)厚朴酚 / 厚朴
70

A neolignan from Magnolia bark that directly activates SIRT3, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and shows anxiolytic and anti-tumor effects.

Extensive human-trial evidence64 RCTs18 trials
Ashwagandha (KSM-66)印度人参
82

Ayurveda's premier Rasayana tonic — now one of the most RCT-backed adaptogens for stress, cortisol, testosterone, and cognitive aging.

Human RCT evidence63 RCTs83 trials
Rhodiola红景天
74

A high-altitude adaptogen with human trials on fatigue and stress — and a foothold in both Eastern and Western tradition.

Human RCT evidence61 RCTs39 trials
Turkey Tail (Yunzhi)云芝
68

A medicinal mushroom whose PSK/PSP polysaccharides have the strongest clinical record in immune oncology support.

Human RCT evidence53 RCTs50 trials
Strawberry (Polyphenols)草莓(多酚)
60

A polyphenol-rich berry with human-RCT signal for insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic markers — much of the supporting evidence comes from mixed-berry blends rather than strawberry alone, and no trial tests longevity.

Human RCT evidence51 RCTs34 trials
Spermidine亚精胺
80

A fasting-mimicking polyamine that triggers autophagy and extends lifespan across species.

Human RCT evidence46 RCTs24 trials
Panax Notoginseng (Sanqi)三七 · 田七
76

Yunnan's best-evidenced longevity herb — cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammation, and blood-flow support with 200+ registered clinical trials.

Human RCT evidence41 RCTs25 trials
Cordyceps冬虫夏草
72

Prized Yunnan–Tibet tonic fungus studied for mitochondrial energy, VO₂ max, and immune modulation — one of TCM's most valuable longevity tonics.

Human RCT evidence34 RCTs34 trials
Goji (Lycium)枸杞
72

The classic Chinese longevity berry, rich in polysaccharides and carotenoids studied for eye, immune, and oxidative health.

Human RCT evidence32 RCTs34 trials
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
79

The leading NMN alternative — a direct NAD+ precursor with multiple RCTs confirming it safely raises NAD+ levels in humans.

Human RCT evidence32 RCTs123 trials
Acanthopanax (Ci Wujia)刺五加
70

Siberian ginseng — a classical TCM adaptogen with decades of Soviet and East Asian research on stress resilience, immune function, and endurance.

Human RCT evidence31 RCTs8 trials
Baicalin (Huang Qin)黄芩苷 / 黄芩
73

The bioactive of Huang Qin (Scute), a cornerstone TCM anti-inflammatory herb — studied for SIRT1, AMPK, and neuroinflammation pathways.

Human RCT evidence30 RCTs38 trials
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)灵芝
72

The classic Chinese longevity mushroom; emerging research connects its triterpenes to anti-aging and α-Klotho signalling.

Human RCT evidence29 RCTs52 trials
Urolithin A尿石素 A
76

A gut-derived metabolite that triggers mitophagy — with human trials on muscle and mitochondrial function.

Human RCT evidence28 RCTs32 trials
Semaglutide (GLP-1 Agonist)司美格鲁肽(GLP-1受体激动剂)
56

An FDA-approved diabetes/obesity drug backed by a genuinely strong cardiovascular-outcomes trial (SELECT) — its 'anti-aging' framing rests on small, early biomarker studies (epigenetic clocks, telomeres) that do not yet establish a longevity effect.

Human RCT evidence21 RCTs10 trials
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)β-烟酰胺单核苷酸
79

The headline NAD+ booster of the longevity world — human trials show it raises blood NAD+ and may support physical function.

Human RCT evidence20 RCTs32 trials
MitoQ (Mitoquinone)线粒体靶向辅酶Q10(MitoQ)
56

A mitochondria-targeted antioxidant with small but real placebo-controlled trials showing improved vascular function in older adults — the evidence base is thinner and more concentrated in one research group than CoQ10's.

Human RCT evidence20 RCTs44 trials
Schisandra五味子
69

The “five-flavor berry,” an adaptogen studied for liver protection, stress resilience, and cellular defense.

Human RCT evidence17 RCTs26 trials
Apigenin芹菜素
70

A flavone from parsley and chamomile that inhibits CD38 (NADase) — preserving NAD+ through a complementary mechanism to NMN or NR.

Human RCT evidence16 RCTs18 trials
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan)绞股蓝
70

“Southern ginseng,” a Chinese herb whose gypenosides activate AMPK — the metabolic longevity pathway.

Human RCT evidence11 RCTs13 trials

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