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Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is a dimethylated derivative of resveratrol that, for some mechanisms, is more potent. It is also much better absorbed, and is commonly referred to as a 'better resveratrol'. It looks promising, but has significantly less research than its predecessor.

Our evidence-based analysis on pterostilbene features 55 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Pterostilbene

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Pterostilbene is a methylated stilbene molecule with structural similarity to resveratrol, the only difference being two methoxy groups on the pterostilbene molecule that replace hydroxy groups on the resveratrol molecule. While most of the actions of the two are comparable, pterostilbene appears to be much more well absorbed following oral ingestion and may be a more potent antioxidant and anticancer molecule.

Only one study has evaluated pterostilbene in humans. It found an increase in LDL-cholesterol and a trend towards lower HDL levels in people with high cholesterol levels who took 100 or 250 mg per day. It was unclear if the lower dose led to a reduction in blood pressure, but the reduction in the group who took the higher dose was potent.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Supplementation of pterostilbene for the purpose of aiding glucose and lipid metabolism tends to be around 20- 40mg/kg oral ingestion in rats, which is an estimated human dosage range of:

  • 215-430mg for a 150lb person

  • 290-580mg for a 200lb person

  • 365-730mg for a 250lb person

Possible anxiolytic properties of pterostilbene are seen at 1-2mg/kg in mice, which is an estimated human dose of:

  • 5.5-11mg for a 150lb person

  • 7.3-14.5mg for a 200lb person

  • 9-18mg for a 250lb person

Which is notable as 5-10mg/kg in these mice (slightly over double the dose) has failed to have the same anxiolytic effects, suggesting a bell-curve that may favor lower dosages such as is found in food consumption rather than higher dosages from supplementation.

Limited human studies have used either 50mg twice a day or 125mg twice a day, and the addition of Grape seed extract (100mg at both dosing times) with the low dose may mitigate some adverse effects on cholesterol seen with pterostilbene in isolation.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Pterostilbene has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-c
Blood Pressure
Minor - See study
Pterostilbene appears to reduce blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic adults, and the addition of grape seed extract (which mitigates adverse cholesterol effects) adds to the benefits to blood pressure.
grade-c
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Minor - See study
In hypercholesterolemic adults not on cholesterol lowering medication, pterostilbene appears to reduce HDL mildly.
grade-c
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Minor - See study
An increase in LDL cholesterol has been noted with oral ingestion of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults, mitigated by grape seed extract
grade-c
Total cholesterol
Minor - See study
An increase in total cholesterol, attributable to LDL, has been seen in hypercholesterolemic adults given pterostilbene.
grade-c
Weight
Minor - See study
A slight decrease in weight has been seen in adults given pterostilbene supplementation alongside an increase in cholesterol; the two appear linked, as the addition of grape seed extract appeared to mitigate both.
grade-c
Blood glucose
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence blood glucose relative to control.
grade-c
Creatinine
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence creatinine relative to control.
grade-c
Liver Enzymes
- - See study
Supplementation of pterostilbene in hypercholesterolemic adults does not appear to influence liver enzymes (ALP, AST) relative to control.
grade-c
Triglycerides
- - See study
There do not appear to be any interactions on triglycerides in adults with normal triglyceride levels given pterostilbene supplementation.

Studies Excluded from Consideration

  • Confounded with the inclusion of other nutrients[1]

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Things to Note

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

trans-3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene, 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene

Do Not Confuse With

Resveratrol (different molecule also from grapes)

Goes Well With

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This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 55 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Pterostilbene.

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