Protandim is a five-plant supplement meant to prompt the body to make its own protective enzymes. The idea is plausible, and one animal study found longer life in male mice, but human evidence is thin, inconsistent, and often tied to its makers. It is generally well tolerated, though two ingredients carry rare liver concerns; long-term benefit in people remains unproven. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT / AST | ALT ~10–25 U/L; AST ~10–25 U/L | Detect rare botanical liver injury |
| GGT | < 20 U/L | Sensitive liver and oxidative-stress marker |
| hs-CRP | < 1.0 mg/L (ideally < 0.5) | Tracks systemic inflammation |
| F2-isoprostanes (urine) | Low relative to lab reference | Most reliable direct marker of oxidative stress |
| TSH | 0.5–2.5 mIU/L | Screens for ashwagandha-driven thyroid over-activation |
| HbA1c | < 5.4% | Baseline metabolic context relevant to oxidative burden |
Cadence: Baseline, then at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months (liver testing prioritized)