Ergothioneine the
‘Longevity Vitamin’ Discovery & History
Ergothioneine is a sulfur-based amino acid. Amino acids are important compounds that help the body build proteins.
Ergothioneine was discovered in 1909 by Charles Tanret, a French pharmacist and chemist.
Scientists speculate that ergothioneine may have originated from ancient earth. Due to its anaerobic nature
(it does not require oxygen to function), it may have manifested in the earth’s oxygen-free atmosphere.
Mushrooms contain by far the most significant amounts of ergothioneine, making them the most concentrated dietary source of this amino acid.
The highest amounts come from mushrooms in the Pleurotus family, better known as the common oyster mushroom.
The shiitake mushroom, King Bolete or porcini, and enokitake mushroom were also all found to contain great amounts of ergothioneine.
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