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Limited evidenceLongevity & antioxidants

Pterostilbene

A methylated resveratrol analogue with genuinely better bioavailability, but almost no independent human outcome data — and the one clear human finding is that it raises LDL cholesterol. Bioavailability is not benefit.

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What the science says

  • Better bioavailability than resveratrol Moderate evidence

    The two methoxy groups block the glucuronidation that destroys resveratrol, giving pterostilbene roughly 80% oral bioavailability in rodents versus about 20% for resveratrol, with a much longer half-life. This is the one well-supported claim, but it is a pharmacokinetic fact, not a clinical outcome.

  • Cholesterol and blood pressure Limited evidence

    The main human trial (Riche et al., ~80 adults, 8 weeks) found 125 mg twice daily lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by roughly 7 and 8 mmHg in people not on cholesterol medication, but it also raised LDL cholesterol by about 17 mg/dL. That LDL rise is a real, reproducible signal and is a reason for caution in anyone with cardiovascular risk.

  • NAD+ elevation when combined with nicotinamide riboside Limited evidence

    In an 8-week RCT of NR plus pterostilbene (NRPT) in 120 older adults, blood NAD+ rose about 40% at the 1x dose and 90% at 2x, but no functional outcome improved. A follow-up double-blind RCT of NRPT in NAFLD reduced some hepatic inflammation markers without changing liver fat, and the effect cannot be attributed to pterostilbene specifically since it was never tested alone.

  • Cognition and anti-aging Limited evidence

    Claims about memory, senescence and neuroprotection come entirely from rodent and cell work. A 2025 pilot study of short-term pterostilbene intake in healthy participants was small and exploratory, and there are no adequately powered human cognitive trials.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseHuman trials have used 50-250 mg/day, most often 125 mg twice daily for 6-8 weeks. Combination NRPT products supply roughly 50-100 mg pterostilbene alongside 250-500 mg nicotinamide riboside. Doses above 250 mg/day have not been tested for longer than 8 weeks in humans.
SafetyThe clearest concern is the LDL cholesterol increase (~17 mg/dL) seen at 250 mg/day in non-statin users — check a lipid panel if you use it. Otherwise generally well tolerated at studied doses; mild GI upset is the most common complaint. Like resveratrol it inhibits CYP enzymes and has antiplatelet activity, so caution with anticoagulants, antiplatelets and drugs with narrow therapeutic windows. No pregnancy or lactation safety data. Long-term (>8 week) human safety is essentially unstudied.

How to take it

Timing125 mg twice daily, as in most trials.
With food?With food.
Worth knowingGet a lipid panel a couple of months in — 250 mg/day raised LDL by roughly 17 mg/dL in people not on a statin.

Interactions

With medications

  • warfarin, DOACs and antiplatelet drugs

    Pterostilbene has antiplatelet activity that adds to bleeding risk. do not combine without medical supervision

  • drugs with a narrow therapeutic window metabolised by CYP enzymes

    CYP inhibition can raise their blood levels unpredictably. talk to your doctor before combining

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Is pterostilbene better than resveratrol?

Pterostilbene is better absorbed — roughly 80% oral bioavailability in rodents versus about 20% for resveratrol (moderate evidence) — but better absorption is not a benefit. Independent human outcome data for pterostilbene are almost nonexistent.

Does pterostilbene raise cholesterol?

Yes, in the main human trial 125 mg twice daily of pterostilbene raised LDL cholesterol by about 17 mg/dL in people not on cholesterol medication. If you take pterostilbene, get a lipid panel after a couple of months.

Does pterostilbene lower blood pressure?

The evidence is limited to one 8-week trial of about 80 adults, where pterostilbene lowered systolic and diastolic pressure by roughly 7 and 8 mmHg. The same dose raised LDL cholesterol, which argues for caution if you have cardiovascular risk.

How much pterostilbene per day?

Human trials used 50-250 mg/day of pterostilbene, most often 125 mg twice daily with food for 6-8 weeks. Doses above 250 mg/day have not been tested longer than 8 weeks.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Double Wood Supplements, Pterostilbene, 100 mg, 60 Capsules

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