Saffron extract, a concentrated dietary supplement made from a traditional spice, is taken at a few dozen milligrams a day for mood, stress and sleep. It best supports easing mild-to-moderate low mood and improving perceived sleep, though gains are clearer on self-reported questionnaires than doctor ratings, and slightly lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. A plausible, low-risk aid, not an established longevity intervention. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure (seated and standing) | Below 120/80 mmHg | Safety check; saffron also lowers it slightly |
| Fasting plasma glucose | 70–99 mg/dL | Expected to change in diabetes; safety check with antidiabetic drugs |
| HbA1c | 4.0–5.6% | Expected to change in diabetes |
| Platelet count | 150–450 × 10⁹/L | Safety check; decreased at high doses |
| Hemoglobin | 12.0–15.5 g/dL in women, 13.5–17.5 g/dL in men | Safety check; decreased slightly at high doses |
| Serum creatinine | 0.6–1.2 mg/dL | Safety check; increased slightly at high doses |
| INR (warfarin users only) | No established target for saffron; change from own baseline | Safety check for possible bleeding interaction |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; blood pressure twice weekly for the first 4 weeks, then monthly; mood and sleep questionnaires at 4, 8 and 12 weeks; INR 1–2 weeks after starting; in diabetes, fasting glucose weekly for the first month, then HbA1c at 3 months; blood count and creatinine at 3 months, then every 6–12 months during long-term use.