Supplements

ALCAR / L-Carnitine: A Practical Guide

At a Glance Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) and L-Carnitine are two forms of the same conditionally essential nutrient with distinct pharmacological profiles. L-Carnitine is the foundational form — essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport and well-evidenced for cardiovascular health…

Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG)

A metabolic intermediate supporting cellular energy production and muscle protein synthesis

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: A Practical Guide

At a Glance Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring dithiol compound that functions as an essential cofactor in mitochondrial energy metabolism and one of the most versatile antioxidants in human biochemistry. Unlike most antioxidants, ALA is both water- and fat-soluble, enabling it…

Apigenin

Chamomile-derived flavonoid with CD38 inhibition and NAD+ modulation potential

Astaxanthin

A powerful carotenoid antioxidant supporting eye health, athletic recovery, and cardiovascular function

Berberine

A plant alkaloid with emerging evidence for metabolic and cardiovascular support, requiring clinical context

Boron

An essential trace mineral supporting bone health, hormonal balance, and cognitive function

Citrulline (L-Citrulline)

Amino acid nitric oxide precursor for vascular function and athletic performance

Collagen

Hydrolyzed peptides supporting skin, joint, and connective tissue health through targeted amino acid delivery

Curcumin & Turmeric Extract

A powerful polyphenol supporting inflammatory control and antioxidant defense, with bioavailability optimization required

DIM (Diindolylmethane)

Cruciferous phytochemical for estrogen metabolism support and hormonal balance

Fadogia Agrestis

A traditional West African plant with limited regulatory guidance and concerning preclinical safety signals requiring clinical oversight

Fisetin

Strawberry-derived flavonoid senolytic with Mayo Clinic clinical trial support

Glucosamine and Chondroitin — The Honest 2026 Read

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are naturally occurring compounds found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine is an amino sugar used by the body in glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan synthesis; chondroitin sulfate is a long-chain sulfated…

HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate)

A leucine metabolite supporting muscle protein synthesis and exercise recovery with solid clinical evidence

Inulin

A prebiotic fiber supporting gut microbiota, digestive health, and metabolic markers

L-Carnitine Tartrate (LCLT)

Overview L-Carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) is the form used in the majority of exercise science research. The tartrate salt enhances absorption speed, making it well-suited for pre/post-exercise applications. LCLT is distinct from ALCAR (cognitive/neurological) and PLC (cardiovascular) — its…

Lactoferrin

Overview Lactoferrin is a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein found in high concentrations in colostrum and breast milk, and at lower levels in most exocrine secretions. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) shares ~70% structural homology with human lactoferrin and demonstrates comparable biological…

Leucine

An essential branched-chain amino acid crucial for muscle protein synthesis and metabolic signaling

Lovaza and Vascepa: How the Two Prescription Omega-3s Differ from Each Other and from OTC Fish Oil and Krill Oil

Two prescription omega-3s are commonly confused. Lovaza (EPA+DHA) treats severe hypertriglyceridemia; Vascepa (pure EPA) is the only one with cardiovascular outcomes evidence. Plus: where OTC fish oil and krill oil fit, and the dose-dependent atrial fibrillation signal.

Lysine

An essential amino acid supporting collagen synthesis, immune function, and herpes simplex virus management

Macular Protection Stack (AREDS2)

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and its successor AREDS2 are among the most rigorously conducted nutritional intervention trials in modern medicine. Funded by the National Eye Institute and conducted over more than two decades, the trials…

N-Acetylcysteine: the antidote is real, the capsule claims are not

N-acetylcysteine is an FDA-approved antidote for acetaminophen overdose; randomized trials leave most over-the-counter capsule wellness claims weakly supported or null.

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

Cellular antioxidant and glutathione precursor for robust defense

NAD+ Precursors (NMN/NR)

Cellular energy currency and sirtuin activator with evolving regulatory status

Nattokinase — Fibrinolytic Enzyme Supplement

Nattokinase is a serine protease enzyme extracted from natto, the traditional Japanese fermented soybean food. It was discovered and characterized by Sumi and colleagues in 1987 as the active fibrinolytic constituent in natto, with strong in vitro…

Neprinol

Proprietary systemic enzyme blend for proteolytic and fibrinolytic support

Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0)

Odd-chain saturated fatty acid for metabolic flexibility and cellular signaling

Pharmaceutical-Grade GABA

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Oral GABA supplements have been marketed for decades for stress, anxiety, sleep, and general relaxation. The classical neuroscience…

Phosphatidylserine: A Practical Guide

At a Glance Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid that forms a critical structural component of neuronal cell membranes and is one of the few supplements with an FDA-qualified health claim for cognitive function. It has a substantial human clinical trial database — particularly for…

Polygala Tenuifolia

Polygala tenuifolia (Chinese name: yuan zhi, 远志) is a perennial herb whose root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over two thousand years. Classical TCM indications focused on insomnia, restlessness, palpitations, cognitive…

Pterostilbene — The Resveratrol Analog, the LDL Signal, and Why We No Longer Recommend It

Pterostilbene raised LDL cholesterol by 17.1 mg/dL in the best human RCT (Riche 2014, n=80, P=0.001). The sirtuin/longevity claim has not translated to demonstrated human clinical benefit. Vanguard's revised position: we do not recommend oral pterostilbene supplementation.

Quercetin

Bioflavonoid antioxidant and senolytic candidate with emerging longevity research

R-Lipoic Acid (R-ALA)

Overview Alpha-lipoic acid exists as two stereoisomers: R-ALA (the biologically native, endogenously produced form) and S-ALA (not found in nature). Most commercial ALA is racemic (R,S). The R-form demonstrates substantially superior bioavailability, tissue uptake, and biological activity …

Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice is rice fermented with the mold Monascus purpureus. The fermentation produces a family of natural-product polyketides called monacolins, the most clinically relevant of which is monacolin K. Monacolin K is identical in chemical…

Resveratrol

Grape-derived stilbene and sirtuin activator with mixed clinical outcomes

Saw Palmetto

Traditional herbal extract with EMA monograph for prostate and urinary health

Selenium

Essential trace mineral with narrow therapeutic window and anti-cancer implications

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs)

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are a family of bioactive lipid mediators derived enzymatically from omega-3 fatty acids — primarily EPA and DHA. They include the resolvins (E-series from EPA, D-series from DHA), protectins (from DHA),…

Spermidine

Polyamine autophagy inducer with longevity research implications

Sulforaphane (Broccoli Extract)

Cruciferous phytochemical with potent anti-cancer and detoxification support

TMG/Betaine (Trimethylglycine)

Methyl donor for homocysteine reduction and cellular methylation support

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

Traditional Southeast Asian herbal root extract for testosterone and vitality support

TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid produced naturally in humans in small quantities. In Europe it has been used clinically since the 1990s for cholestatic liver…

Urolithin A

Postbiotic mitophagy activator for cellular quality control and longevity

Ursolic Acid

Pentacyclic triterpenoid from apple peel with emerging longevity potential

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine / TTFD / Benfotiamine)

Overview Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a water-soluble B vitamin that serves as an essential cofactor in glucose and energy metabolism. Its fat-soluble derivatives — benfotiamine and TTFD — achieve tissue concentrations dramatically higher than standard thiamine and exert biological effects…

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Overview Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is the precursor to FMN and FAD, flavocoenzymes involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions, critically within the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Its strongest clinical application is migraine prophylaxis at 400 mg/day — among the best-supported…

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid / Pantethine)

Overview Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is the biosynthetic precursor to coenzyme A (CoA), which participates in over 70 metabolic reactions including fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, the Krebs cycle, steroid hormone production, and acetylcholine synthesis. The derivative pantethine has the…

Vitamin B6 (P5P / Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)

Overview Vitamin B6's active form, pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P), serves as a cofactor in over 100 enzymatic reactions — more than any other B vitamin. Critical roles span homocysteine clearance, neurotransmitter synthesis (dopamine, serotonin, GABA), steroid hormone receptor modulation, and…

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

Menaquinone-7 for bone mineralization and vascular health with critical warfarin interactions