Saffron
Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.
Quick Answer
What it is
Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.
Key findings
- Grade B: Blood glucose (Metabolic Syndrome)
- Grade B: Anxiety Symptoms (Depression)
- Grade B: Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Safety
No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.
ℹ️ Quick Facts: Saffron
Quick Facts: Saffron
- Best Evidence:Grade B
- Conditions Studied:51
- Research Outcomes:390
- Grade B Findings:13
- Key Effect:Depression
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B13
C28
D7
51 conditions · 390 outcomes
Detailed Outcomes
Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
796 participants
small↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
12 studies840 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
688 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
746 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
11 studies746 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
8 studies571 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies378 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
5 studies340 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
5 studies404 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
218 participants
↓Improves
?
Hip Circumference
120 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
2 studies120 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
120 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
44 participants
↓Improves
?
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interferon Gamma
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 1-alpha
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 1-beta
1 study44 participants
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 10
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 2
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 4
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study44 participants
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 8
1 study44 participants
↑Worsens
?
Leptin
1 study76 participants
↑Improves
?
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
75 participants
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
44 participants
↓Improves
?
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
1 study44 participants
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
840 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Kidney Function
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
840 participants
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
840 participants
↓Improves
?
Creatinine
75 participants
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
1 study75 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
75 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study75 participants
↓Improves
?
Sperm Count
60 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study75 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
75 participants
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study75 participants
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
840 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Kidney Function
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
840 participants
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
840 participants
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
624 participants
small↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
12 studies701 participants
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
11 studies637 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
590 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
9 studies547 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
7 studies422 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
5 studies184 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies300 participants
↓Improves
?
Hip Circumference
172 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
3 studies156 participants
↑Improves
?
Creatinine
75 participants
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
75 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
60 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
75 participants
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study75 participants
↑Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
656 participants
small↓Improves
D
Appetite
No effect
1 study74 participants
none
?
Depression Symptoms
656 participants
↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
231 participants
↑Improves
?
Homocysteine
1 study40 participants
↓Improves
?
Hot Flash Symptoms
1 study60 participants
↓Improves
?
Sexual Function
34 participants
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
1 study177 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
74 participants
↓Improves
B
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Small Improvement
157 participants
small↓Improves
?
Cognitive Decline
1 study68 participants
↓Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
180 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
180 participants
↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
54 participants
↑Improves
B
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Small Improvement
157 participants
small↓Improves
?
Cognitive Decline
1 study68 participants
↑Worsens
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
180 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
180 participants
↑Worsens
?
Sleep Quality
54 participants
↑Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
104 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
796 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
12 studies840 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
688 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
746 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
11 studies746 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
8 studies571 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Creatinine
618 participants
↑Improves
?
Kidney Function
7 studies840 participants
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
840 participants
↑Worsens
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies378 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
5 studies340 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
5 studies404 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
218 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
434 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
434 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies424 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
424 participants
↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
104 participants
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
154 participants
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
2 studies154 participants
↑Improves
?
Urea
2 studies118 participants
↑Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study90 participants
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
54 participants
↓Improves
?
Erections
50 participants
↑Improves
?
Homocysteine
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 10
1 study64 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
1 study54 participants
↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
50 participants
↑Improves
?
sICAM-1
204 participants
↑Improves
?
Uric Acid
1 study54 participants
↓Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
178 participants
small↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
241 participants
↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
128 participants
↓Improves
?
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms
63 participants
↓Improves
?
Mood
1 study128 participants
↑Improves
?
Sleep Disturbance Signs and Symptoms
1 study63 participants
↓Improves
?
Sleep Duration
1 study63 participants
↑Improves
?
Sleep Latency
1 study63 participants
↓Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
1 study128 participants
↓Improves
B
Asthma Symptoms
Small Improvement
2 studies160 participants
small↓Improves
?
Basophil Count
1 study80 participants
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
80 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
80 participants
↓Improves
?
Eosinophil count
1 study80 participants
↑Worsens
?
Lung Function
1 study80 participants
↑Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
208 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
208 participants
↓Improves
?
Mood
1 study128 participants
↑Improves
?
Obsession/compulsion
1 study80 participants
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
128 participants
↑Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
1 study128 participants
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
144 participants
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
184 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3 studies184 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
184 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
2 studies144 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies94 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
2 studies144 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
144 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
54 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study90 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
90 participants
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
40 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
1 study90 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
1 study90 participants
↓Improves
?
Intraocular Pressure
50 participants
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
90 participants
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
90 participants
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study90 participants
↑Improves
C
Depression Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
96 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Sexual Function
34 participants
↑Improves
C
Erections
Small Increase
396 participants
small↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
50 participants
↑Improves
C
Bleeding Time
Mixed effect
1 study30 participants
?
Triglycerides
1674 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1674 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
23 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
23 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
12 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
7 studies1674 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
7 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Clotting
90 participants
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Creatinine
30 participants
↑Improves
?
Factor VII
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Fibrinogen
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study30 participants
↓Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
30 participants
↑Improves
?
Lymphocyte Count
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
Polymorphonuclear Cells
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
Protein C
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Protein S
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Red Blood Cell Count
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
Serum Platelets
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
sICAM-1
204 participants
↑Improves
?
Urea
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
47 participants
small↓Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
125 participants
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study47 participants
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
47 participants
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
47 participants
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
1 study47 participants
↑Improves
C
Depression Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
30 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Erections
387 participants
↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
387 participants
↑Improves
?
Penile Girth
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1674 participants
small↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1674 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1674 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
23 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
23 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
12 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1674 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
7 studies1674 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
7 studies1674 participants
↓Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
20 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
0
↓Improves
C
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
230 participants
small↓Improves
?
Seminal Motility
282 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
282 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
2 studies282 participants
↑Improves
?
Ejaculate Volume
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
230 participants
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study230 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
76 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
111 participants
↓Improves
?
Cognitive Decline
1 study35 participants
↓Improves
?
Memory
1 study76 participants
↑Improves
C
Basophil Count
Small Decrease
1 study89 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
64 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
64 participants
↓Improves
?
Creatinine
89 participants
↑Improves
?
Eosinophil count
1 study89 participants
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Immunoglobulin A
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
Immunoglobulin G
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
Immunoglobulin M
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 10
1 study64 participants
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
89 participants
↑Worsens
?
Monocyte Count
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
Neutrophil Count
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
64 participants
↓Improves
?
Red Blood Cell Count
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
64 participants
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study64 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study89 participants
↑Improves
C
ADHD Symptoms
Small Improvement
1 study54 participants
small↓Improves
?
Attention
54 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
84 participants
small↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
84 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Muscle Mass
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
Satiety
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
84 participants
↓Improves
?
vLDL-C
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
84 participants
↓Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
54 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
54 participants
↓Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study54 participants
↓Improves
?
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
1 study54 participants
↓Improves
?
Pain
1 study54 participants
↓Improves
C
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
204 participants
small↓Improves
?
sICAM-1
204 participants
↑Improves
C
Depression Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
60 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Hot Flash Symptoms
1 study60 participants
↓Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
47 participants
small↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study47 participants
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
47 participants
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
1 study47 participants
↑Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
66 participants
small↓Improves
?
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Interferon Gamma
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
66 participants
↓Improves
?
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
66 participants
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
76 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
76 participants
↓Improves
C
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
80 participants
small↓Improves
?
Creatinine
80 participants
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
80 participants
↑Worsens
?
Serum Albumin
1 study80 participants
↑Improves
?
Urea
1 study80 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
40 participants
small↓Improves
?
Weight
40 participants
↓Improves
C
Cervix Readiness (Pregnancy)
Moderate Increase
50 participants
moderate↑Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
50 participants
↑Improves
?
Labor Duration (Pregnancy)
1 study50 participants
↑Worsens
?
Uterine Contractions Onset
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
?
Vaginal Delivery Rate
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
20 participants
small↓Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
20 participants
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
C
Short-Term Memory (Simple)
Small Increase
1 study20 participants
small↑Improves
?
Working Memory
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
47 participants
small↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study47 participants
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
47 participants
↑Worsens
?
Testosterone
1 study47 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
76 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
76 participants
↓Improves
?
Memory
1 study76 participants
↑Improves
C
Cervix Readiness (Pregnancy)
Moderate Increase
50 participants
moderate↑Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
50 participants
↑Improves
?
Labor Duration (Pregnancy)
1 study50 participants
↑Worsens
?
Uterine Contractions Onset
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
?
Vaginal Delivery Rate
1 study50 participants
↑Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
66 participants
small↓Improves
?
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
66 participants
↑Improves
?
Serum T3
66 participants
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
?
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study66 participants
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
128 participants
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
128 participants
↓Improves
?
Mood
1 study128 participants
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
128 participants
↑Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
1 study128 participants
↓Improves
D
Appetite
No effect
1 study74 participants
none
?
Total cholesterol
12 studies701 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
624 participants
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
11 studies637 participants
↓Improves
?
Weight
590 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
9 studies547 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
7 studies422 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
5 studies184 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies300 participants
↓Improves
?
Hip Circumference
172 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
3 studies156 participants
↑Improves
?
Creatinine
75 participants
↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
74 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
75 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
60 participants
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
75 participants
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study75 participants
↑Improves
D
Macular Thickness
No effect
1 study60 participants
none
?
Retinal Function
160 participants
↑Improves
?
Visual acuity (VA)
133 participants
↑Improves
D
Appetite
No effect
1 study60 participants
none
?
Weight
198 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
138 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
138 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies138 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies138 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
138 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
2 studies138 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
54 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Food Intake
1 study60 participants
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
1 study54 participants
↓Improves
?
Hunger
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Mass
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
Satiety
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
?
vLDL-C
1 study84 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study84 participants
↑Improves
D
Creatine Kinase
No effect
1 study23 participants
none
?
Creatine Kinase-MB
1 study23 participants
↑Worsens
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
1 study23 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
30 participants
↓Improves
D
Blood Clotting
No effect
20 participants
none
?
Sexual Function
173 participants
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
20 participants
↓Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
20 participants
↓Improves
?
Urea
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
White Blood Cell Count
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
D
Beta-cell function
No effect
1 study66 participants
none
?
Blood glucose
66 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
66 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
66 participants
↑Improves
?
Insulin
1 study66 participants
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
66 participants
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
1 study66 participants
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
463 participants
↑Worsens
?
Depression Symptoms
134 participants
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
62 participants
↓Improves
?
Visual acuity (VA)
25 participants
↑Improves
?
Cancer Metastasis
13 participants
↑Improves
?
Skin Dryness
6 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
30 participants
↓Improves
Evidence by Condition
Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)
Research Citations (79)
Related Supplements
Fish Oil
33 shared conditions · 448 outcomes
Fish oil is a mix of mostly EPA and DHA derived from fatty fish. It reduces triglycerides, but does not seem to affect the rate of cardiovascular events. It appears to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve some painful, inflammatory conditions.
Vitamin D
31 shared conditions · 308 outcomes
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.
L-Carnitine
26 shared conditions · 558 outcomes
L-carnitine can relieve leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and treat some aspects of metabolic syndrome. Although it’s often also used for fat loss, its effectiveness for that is questionable.
Curcumin
25 shared conditions · 502 outcomes
Curcumin is the primary bioactive substance in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of depression as well as improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis.
Ginkgo Biloba
24 shared conditions · 173 outcomes
Ginkgo biloba is the most commonly ingested herb for brain health. While it may boost cognition in older populations, this effect is not very reliable or generalizable.
Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)
22 shared conditions · 228 outcomes
Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as “Korean ginseng”. It appears to be effective for mood, immunity, and cognition, but is subpar for erectile function, testosterone, and exercise performance.
Magnesium
22 shared conditions · 248 outcomes
Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that is involved in energy production, nervous system function, blood pressure regulation, and blood glucose control. A lack of magnesium in the diet — which is common in modern societies — is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions.
Vitamin E
21 shared conditions · 274 outcomes
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage and is found in several common foods. Supplementing with extra vitamin E does not have broad health benefits, except in people with vitamin E deficiency, and long-term high-dose supplementation may cause harm.