MikroScore
New papers, curated and contextualized

New Research of the Week (2026-06-20)

Taurine at the crossroads of metabolism & aging; phosphatidylserine improves vascular function in type 2 diabetes (RCT); astaxanthin reduces TNF-α and MCP-1 in heart failure.

Published: 20/06/2026 taurinphosphatidylserinastaxanthinbeta-alaninreishizink

New Research of the Week (2026-06-20)

Summary

The strongest signals this week come from phosphatidylserine, taurine, and astaxanthin — all three with new clinical or mechanistic work that meaningfully advances the evidence picture. Plus an interesting but limited RCT on beta-alanine/carnosine, a sobering null result for reishi, a regulatorily relevant EFSA assessment on zinc L-carnosine, and a newly recruiting trial for urolithin A in older adults.

Most worth reviewing:

  • Phosphatidylserine: First RCT with mechanistic explanation for vascular improvements in type 2 diabetes
  • Taurine: Comprehensive mechanistic review on metabolism, inflammation, and aging
  • Astaxanthin: RCT in heart failure patients with significant TNF-α and MCP-1 reduction
  • Beta-alanine/Carnosine: Well-powered RCT (n=299) — effects present but selective
  • Reishi: Null result in RCT — an important signal for realistic expectations
  • Zinc L-carnosine: EFSA recognizes bioequivalence to other zinc sources
  • Urolithin A: New triple-masked RCT on glucose metabolism in 55+ now recruiting

The Most Interesting Signals This Week

Phosphatidylserine

The paper of the week comes from the Journal of Applied Physiology and describes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in type 2 diabetics — combined with mechanistic clarification that puts phosphatidylserine (PS) in a new light. The starting hypothesis: PS might inhibit the enzyme ADAM17, which in insulin resistance cleaves insulin receptors from endothelial cell surfaces and thereby undermines vascular insulin sensitivity.

In the clinical phase, type 2 diabetics received 900 mg/day of a PS preparation (delivering ~280 mg active PS daily) for 4 weeks. The result: leg blood flow response after an oral glucose load improved significantly, and load-dependent aortic pulse wave velocity — an established marker for arterial stiffness — decreased measurably. Additionally, PS reduced vascular oxidative stress. In parallel, in vitro experiments and animal studies in diabetic db/db mice confirmed ADAM17 inhibition as the mechanism.

The limitations are manageable: short intervention duration of four weeks, no long-term follow-up data, and a relatively small cohort. Nevertheless, what’s special about this work is not just the clinical signal, but the mechanistic coherence — from cell assay to animal model to human trial, a consistent thread runs through.

Relevant Paper

MikroScore Assessment

Phosphatidylserine is currently best known for cognitive functions — that’s where most consumers encounter the supplement. This RCT opens an entirely different perspective: vascular insulin sensitivity. Those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome now have a new and mechanistically well-grounded argument for PS. We have updated our phosphatidylserine ingredient page accordingly.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/phosphatidylserin

Taurine

A new review article in Food & Function (RSC Publishing) comprehensively summarizes the current state of knowledge on taurine: antioxidant defense, anti-inflammatory signaling pathways, calcium regulation, mitochondrial function, and lipid metabolism. Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid by quantity in many tissues — yet its molecular functions have only been systematically elucidated in recent years.

The review integrates mechanistic data with clinical findings and arrives at a remarkably clear statement: physiological endogenous production and dietary intake are sufficient for baseline health functions — but supplementation of 1–6 g/day can additionally improve metabolic resilience and mitochondrial function without known adverse effects. This positions taurine as a potential “healthspan modulator” in precision nutrition, particularly in the context of aging processes and chronic inflammation.

As a limitation, this is a review — the quality of included primary studies varies, and many of the strongest mechanistic findings come from animal or cell culture models. The clinical evidence base for explicit anti-aging effects in humans remains thin. However, the review provides the best current synthesis of the field.

Relevant Paper

MikroScore Assessment

Taurine is already well established as an ingredient in energy drinks — which has unfortunately damaged rather than strengthened its reputation in the supplement community. This review shows why that’s unfair: the molecular evidence base is impressive, and the dosage of 1–6 g/day is easily achievable with supplements. For older adults, people with metabolic syndrome, or intensive exercisers, taurine is after this overview one of the best-supported “foundational” additions. We have updated our taurine ingredient page accordingly.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/taurin

Astaxanthin

The red marine carotenoid gets an 8-week RCT this week from Iran (Sci Rep), examining astaxanthin in patients with established heart failure (stage C/D, LVEF <50%). 80 patients received 20 mg/day astaxanthin or placebo. The clinical setting is relevant: heart failure is characterized by chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia — exactly the mechanisms that astaxanthin should theoretically target.

Results are mixed but partially compelling: TNF-α decreased significantly more in the astaxanthin group (−3.19 vs. −1.26 pg/mL; p=0.013), as did MCP-1 (−2.47 vs. +6.48 pg/mL; p=0.004) — a notably large difference in monocyte chemoattractant protein. On lipids, VLDL decreased significantly (p=0.024), while total cholesterol showed only a trend (p=0.061). hs-CRP, other lipid parameters, and anthropometric measures remained unchanged.

The limitations are relevant: small cohort (n=80), no long-term follow-up, Iranian sample with potentially different baseline medication. Additionally, the trial is registered with the Iranian Clinical Trial Registry — not ClinicalTrials.gov or ISRCTN — which limits transparency. Nevertheless, the significant TNF-α and MCP-1 reduction is clinically interesting.

Relevant Paper

  • The effect of astaxanthin supplementation on inflammatory markers, lipid profile, and anthropometric indices in patients with heart failure: a randomized controlled trial
    Journal: Scientific Reports
    Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42303733/

MikroScore Assessment

Astaxanthin is increasingly appearing in a clinically serious light — away from a sport/skincare supplement toward a potential anti-inflammatory addition for high cardiovascular risk patients. The 20 mg/day dosage corresponds to higher supplement doses and is not everyday territory. Those taking astaxanthin for general inflammation control can view this data as supportive — but should know the limitations. We have updated our astaxanthin ingredient page accordingly.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/astaxanthin

Beta-Alanine / Carnosine

The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition publishes a well-powered RCT with 299 participants, directly testing carnosine (2 g/day, 12 weeks) against placebo. Measured outcomes included handgrip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-minute step test, and gait speed — a broad panel of endurance and strength parameters across age groups.

Results are nuanced: in the calf raise exercise, the carnosine group showed a significant advantage after 6 weeks for those under 40 years old (p=0.018). After 12 weeks, step test results improved significantly in men over 40 (p=0.010), with a trend across all men (p=0.06). No other parameter reached significance. Effects were confined to male participants — in women, no subgroup showed a significant benefit.

This is methodologically interesting because carnosine is being tested directly here, not its precursor beta-alanine. The hypothesis is that carnosine as an intracellular buffer helps with short repetitive movements. This is reflected in the data — selectively. The sex difference has not yet been mechanistically explained and may relate to hormonal differences in carnosine synthase activity.

Relevant Paper

  • Effects of carnosine supplementation on physical endurance: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
    Journal: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
    Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42308284/

MikroScore Assessment

Those taking beta-alanine or carnosine for endurance optimization get a sobering perspective here: the effects exist — but they are selective by sex and age group. Men, particularly over 40, appear to benefit most. For women, this RCT provides no support. The typical HIIT or endurance application with repetitive movement patterns (short sets to exhaustion) is best supported by the data. We have updated our beta-alanine ingredient page accordingly.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/beta-alanin

Reishi

Reishi polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) steps up this week in a double-blind RCT (n=60) against placebo — in obese patients with cardiometabolic syndrome. 250 mg three times daily for 8 weeks. The setting is plausible: cardiometabolic syndrome is associated with subclinical inflammation, and GLPP has shown anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models.

The result is clear: no significant difference between GLPP and placebo for IL-6 (p=0.366), TNF-α (p=0.274), hs-CRP (p=0.918), nitric oxide (p=0.949), total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, or BMI. All p-values are well above 0.05. The authors discuss possible explanations: concomitant medications, short intervention duration, limited sample size, and possibly restricted bioavailability of the GLPP preparation.

This type of null result is important and worth highlighting. Many reishi products are marketed with broad claims about inflammation and metabolism — this RCT currently provides no clinical foundation for that, at least not with this formulation, dosage, and duration.

Relevant Paper

  • Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide on Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers in Obese Patients with Cardiometabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    Journal: Current Drug Discovery Technologies
    Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42312513/

MikroScore Assessment

Those taking reishi for cardiometabolic inflammation reduction find no clinical support here. This is not a death sentence for reishi — the spectrum of possible effects (immunomodulation, adaptogenic effects) is broader, and the bioavailability of polysaccharide extracts depends heavily on formulation and dosage. But it is a signal for humility in marketing claims. We have updated our reishi ingredient page with appropriate caveats.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/reishi

Zinc

The EFSA has published this week an assessment on the safety and bioavailability of zinc L-carnosine as a novel food. Zinc L-carnosine is a chelate compound of zinc and the dipeptide L-carnosine, which has been used in Japan for decades as a gastric protectant (known as polaprezinc). In the EU it falls under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 as a novel food ingredient and requires an EFSA assessment before it can be marketed as a supplement.

The opinion evaluates both the general safety of the compound and whether zinc from zinc L-carnosine is bioequivalent to other already approved zinc sources — which is relevant for labeling under Directive 2002/46/EC (food supplements directive). The EFSA assessment is a crucial decision point: if bioavailability is confirmed, zinc L-carnosine can be used as a zinc source in supplements without additional clinical hurdles.

This process does not yet constitute a direct consumer-side efficacy signal, but it is regulatorily significant: manufacturers who leverage the gastric-protective and anti-inflammatory dual action of zinc L-carnosine (zinc + carnosine in one compound) may thereby gain EU market access for a long-established molecule.

Relevant Document

MikroScore Assessment

Zinc L-carnosine is not a typical consumer supplement — but it is one of the most interesting zinc formulations with a dual action profile. The EFSA assessment is a milestone for EU market access. Those comparing zinc preparations should keep zinc L-carnosine on their radar after this development — particularly for gastric sensitivity or interest in carnosine as an active ingredient. We are monitoring the approval development for our zinc ingredient page.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/zink

Urolithin A

A new randomized, triple-masked controlled trial on urolithin A has now moved to “Recruiting” status: Trial NCT06274749 examines the effects of urolithin A supplementation on glucose metabolism in healthy adults aged 55 and over. Start date is June 23, 2026.

Urolithin A is a metabolite of ellagic acid (found in pomegranates, walnuts, and certain berries), produced by the gut microbiome — but only in sufficient amounts in a subset of the population. The metabolite has shown mitophagy activation and improved mitochondrial function in preclinical studies and early human trials. Glucose metabolism is a logical endpoint, as mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to insulin sensitivity.

Results are not yet available — the trial is just starting. The triple-masking and minimum age of 55 years make the design methodologically interesting: in this age group, mitochondrial efficiency is typically already measurably reduced, which could increase effect sizes.

Relevant Trial

  • Effects of Urolithin A Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Adults 55 >= Years Old: A Randomized Triple-Masked Controlled Clinical Trial
    Status: RECRUITING
    Link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06274749

MikroScore Assessment

Urolithin A is one of the most exciting supplements in the longevity space — but clinical evidence for metabolic endpoints is still thin. This trial will close an important gap. Results are expected at the earliest in 1–2 years. We are tracking the progress for our urolithin A ingredient page and will update when data becomes available.

→ Ingredient page: /en/ingredients/urolithin-a

Transparency Notice

This page is an editorial weekly overview of new research findings. It does not replace individual evaluation of an ingredient and does not make permissible health claims under EU regulations.