Ergothioneine

Other Names:1-carboxy-2-[2-mercaptoimidazole-4-(or 5)-yl]ethyl]-trimethyl-ammonium hydroxide, 2-Mercaptohistidine Trimethylbetaine, Ergotioneina, Erythrothioneine, ET, L-Ergo, L-Ergothioneine, S-alpha-carboxy-2,3-dihydro-N,N-N,-trimethyl-thioxo-1H-imidazole-4-eth-anaminium hydroxide, Sympectothion, Thiasine, Thiazine, Thiolhistidinebetaine, Thioneine, Thiozine.
Ergothioneine, also known as ETT, is an amino acid initially found in the sclerotia of ergot fungus. Your body needs nine essential amino acids to synthesize and build protein for muscle growth and energy. It can't make these amino acids on its own. Other amino acids are known as conditionally essential or non-essential because your body can produce them. However, that doesn't mean it's not valuable to supplement certain aminos for unique benefits. Scientists originally started researching l-ergothioneine when they discovered it in the red blood cells of certain animals. Plants don't synthesize ETT and the human body can't make it on its own. However, humans and other mammals can consume foods that have ETT and plants that have absorbed the amino acid through the soil where it lies dormant.

Food Sources

• Ergothioneine is an amino acid that is found mainly in mushrooms, but also in king crab, meat from animals that have grazed on grasses containing ergothioneine. Oyster mushrooms, which can be easily found at your grocery store contain high amounts of ergothioneine. Porcini mushrooms, which can be a little harder to find (they cannot be commercially cultivated) contain the highest level or ergothioneine of all the mushrooms. Only a few distinct types of fungi and mycobacteria can produce ETT content and mushrooms are the best natural source.
• Other foods with elevated ergothioneine levels include king crab, cereals, oats, and animals who have consumed plants holding the amino acid.
• Kidney beans and black beans also have high ergothioneine levels.

Special Precautions of Ergothioneine

• Although ETT shares a name and can come from ergot fungus, it's not poisonous in any way. The European Union has stricter supplement standards than the United States and has determined that ETT supplements are safe and produce no adverse effects in adults and children over 3. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements the same way it regulates food. Instead, the FDA retroactively applies laws to supplements. In the EU, supplements are regulated and tested with the same rigor as food products.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of ergothioneine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Benefits and uses of Ergothioneine are

• Antioxidant : L-ergothioneine isn't just an amino acid. It's also an antioxidant! Specifically, research suggests that it's a cytoprotectant. In other words, ETT protects cells against toxins, free radicals, and harmful substances
• Researchers are investigating ergothioneine to determine if it can reduce swelling (inflammation) in the lungs and damage in the liver, kidneys, and brain.
• Neurodegenerative Diseases : As a cytoprotectant, ETT is a popular supplement among Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. ETT supports your body's natural antioxidant defense system and may protect brain cells from oxidative damage and stress from free radicals. By protecting brain cells, its plausible to prevent brain cell death in the first place and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
• Cataracts.
• Alzheimer's disease.
• Liver Disease : Thanks to its cytoprotectant and antioxidant potential, ETT is a favorite amino acid in patients with liver disease.
• Anti-Aging Potential : You'll often find ETT in many skincare products because of its cytoprotectant and antioxidant properties- which may protect skin cells from oxidative damage. Free radical damage and oxidative stress are major contributors to premature aging, sagging skin, and wrinkles.
• Diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• Preventing wrinkles and reducing signs of aging, when applied to the skin.
• Lung Diseases : The US Department of Defense awarded a $1.34 million grant to researchers at the University of Colorado to study ETT’s antioxidant action for fighting lung diseases in combat veterans.

References

• https://plantpath.psu.edu/mushroom-industry-conference/52-mushroom-industry-conference/Bob%20Beelman.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergothioneine
• https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4629
• https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2011/07/26/Dormant-antioxidant-has-unparalleled-benefits
• https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2011/07/26/Dormant-antioxidant-has-unparalleled-benefits