Supports cognitive and metabolic function.
Pterostilbene is a natural plant compound, mostly found in blueberries and certain trees. It's closely related to resveratrol - you might know that one from red wine headlines - but pterostilbene stands out for its stability and how efficiently your body can use it. This makes it an attractive ingredient in supplements aimed at supporting the brain, metabolism, and whole-body antioxidant defenses.
About Pterostilbene
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Pterostilbene’s Quiet Strength
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Pterostilbene doesn’t chase the spotlight like some other antioxidants, but it has a quiet strength. It’s part of the polyphenol family, those plant compounds often hailed for their wide-ranging health roles. Thanks to its chemical structure, pterostilbene resists breakdown and stays active in your bloodstream far longer than resveratrol does. That means your cells get more consistent exposure, which is especially important when you’re after effects that build over time – like healthy cognition or balanced metabolism.
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Supporting Gut and Liver Health
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For gut and liver-focused blends, formulators value pterostilbene for its ability to support normal inflammatory responses and help regulate metabolic markers. It seems to interact with key cell-signaling pathways tied to metabolism and stress reactions. That’s why you may spot it alongside ingredients like berberine or milk thistle in advanced gut or liver formulas.
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Brain Health and Cognitive Support
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When it comes to brain health, pterostilbene pairs well with cognitive support ingredients such as phosphatidylserine or lion’s mane mushroom. Think about it as a teammate working quietly behind the scenes, supporting mental clarity and memory over the long haul.
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Potential for Blood Sugar Management
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If blood sugar management is on your radar, you’ll find some research investigating pterostilbene’s effect on glucose balance too – though this area is still developing.
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Formulation and Usage
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Supplement makers often use pure pterostilbene but sometimes blend it with other plant polyphenols to target specific outcomes. Dosing can vary, reflecting ongoing research into what works best in different contexts.
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Related Products
Formulated With
Learn about other ingredients that Pterostilbene is used alongside throughout the LVLUP range.
Detailed Information
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Structural Characteristics and Bioavailability
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Pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring dimethylether analog of resveratrol distinguished by two methoxy groups at the 3 and 5 positions of the A-ring. This structural modification confers increased lipophilicity and resistance to hepatic phase II metabolism (notably glucuronidation and sulfation), resulting in significantly greater oral bioavailability (upwards of 80% in rodent models) compared to resveratrol (less than 20%).
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Molecular Mechanisms
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Mechanistically, pterostilbene modulates several molecular cascades relevant to metabolic homeostasis, neuroprotection, and redox regulation. It acts as an agonist at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα/γ), supports AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in hepatic tissue, and inhibits NF-κB-mediated inflammatory gene transcription downstream of multiple stressors. Preclinical studies indicate modulation of SIRT1 signaling pathways implicated in mitochondrial biogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
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Neuroprotective Effects
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In neural contexts, pterostilbene exhibits blood-brain barrier permeability comparable to or exceeding that of resveratrol due to its enhanced lipophilic profile. Studies have observed attenuation of oxidative DNA damage markers (such as 8-OHdG), preservation of neuronal dendritic spine density in aged murine models, and maintenance of BDNF expression under stress conditions.
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Metabolic and Glucose Regulation
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In metabolic models, chronic administration demonstrates improved glucose tolerance profiles via enhancement of insulin sensitivity mechanisms; these effects may relate partly to suppression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity—a negative regulator of insulin signaling—though direct evidence remains under investigation. Pterostilbene also modulates hepatic lipid homeostasis through transcriptional regulation of SREBP-1c/2 pathways.
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Commercial Applications
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Commercial supplement formulations employ this molecule either as isolated trans-pterostilbene or within synergistic polyphenol blends—dosing typically ranges from 50-250 mg per serving depending on the target application. Human pharmacokinetics data are still emerging; thus, optimal dosing regimens remain under refinement pending further clinical investigations.
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