Urolithin A
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Urolithin A is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 362 participants, researched for Mitochondrial Health & Muscle, Anti-inflammatory & Longevity, Exercise Performance and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Mitochondrial Health & Muscle
StrongAnti-inflammatory & Longevity
ModerateExercise Performance
ModerateMuscle Performance & Aging
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Mitochondrial Health & Muscle
To evaluate Urolithin A on mitochondrial function and muscle endurance in older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Urolithin A on mitochondrial function and muscle endurance in older adults
Dose
500-1000 mg/day Urolithin A
Participants
66 adults over age 60
Duration
4 months
Results
Significant improvement in mitochondrial gene expression and function. 6-minute walk distance increased by 9.7% vs 1.1% placebo. Muscle endurance significantly improved. First human urolithin A trial.
How They Measured It
Mitochondrial biogenesis markers, 6-minute walk, grip strength, hand dynamometry
To assess Urolithin A on muscle strength and function in older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Urolithin A on muscle strength and function in older adults
Dose
1000 mg/day Urolithin A
Participants
88 older adults (65-90 years)
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in leg muscle strength (p=0.03) and performance. Mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis markers improved. Physical function scores increased vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Leg muscle strength, handgrip, 6-MWT, mitochondrial markers
Anti-inflammatory & Longevity
To evaluate Urolithin A on inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic health
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Urolithin A on inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic health
Dose
500 mg/day Urolithin A
Participants
60 healthy middle-aged adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in CRP (p=0.04) and IL-6. Mitochondrial function biomarkers improved. Metabolic pathways associated with healthy aging activated. Good tolerability.
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, metabolomics, mitochondrial markers
To assess bioavailability and safety of Urolithin A in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, pharmacokinetic study
Purpose
To assess bioavailability and safety of Urolithin A in healthy adults
Dose
250-2000 mg Urolithin A single and repeated dose
Participants
100 healthy adults
Duration
28 days
Results
Dose-dependent absorption with plasma levels peaking at 4-6 hours. No adverse effects up to 2000 mg. Liver function normal. Tissue distribution confirmed. Safety profile established.
How They Measured It
Plasma UA levels, pharmacokinetics, liver function, safety markers
Exercise Performance
To evaluate Urolithin A on exercise performance and recovery in trained athletes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Urolithin A on exercise performance and recovery in trained athletes
Dose
1000 mg/day Urolithin A
Participants
48 trained endurance athletes
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in time to exhaustion (p=0.03). Post-exercise recovery markers improved. Mitochondrial respiration in muscle biopsies enhanced. VO2 max trending higher.
How They Measured It
VO2 max, time to exhaustion, post-exercise markers, mitochondrial function
To summarize clinical evidence for Urolithin A supplementation
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize clinical evidence for Urolithin A supplementation
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review
Duration
Various
Results
Growing evidence for mitochondrial, muscle, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Mitophagy induction as novel anti-aging mechanism. Human evidence still early but promising. Safety well-established. Wider RCTs underway.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of human trials
Muscle Performance & Aging
To determine whether Urolithin A (Mitopure) improves muscle strength, aerobic endurance, and physical performance via mitophagy activation in middle-aged adults.
Study Type
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To determine whether Urolithin A (Mitopure) improves muscle strength, aerobic endurance, and physical performance via mitophagy activation in middle-aged adults.
Dose
Urolithin A (Mitopure) at two doses for 4 months
Participants
Middle-aged adults (NCT03464500)
Duration
4 months
Results
Significant improvements in muscle strength (~12%) with Urolithin A. Clinically meaningful improvements in aerobic endurance and physical performance. Reduced plasma acylcarnitines and CRP indicating higher mitochondrial efficiency and reduced inflammation. Increased mitophagy/mitochondrial metabolism proteins in skeletal muscle.
How They Measured It
Muscle strength, VO2 peak, 6-minute walk test, peak power output, plasma acylcarnitines, CRP, mitophagy proteins in skeletal muscle
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Urolithin A research
There are currently 7 peer-reviewed studies on Urolithin A (Urolithin A), involving 362 total participants. Research covers Cellular health, Muscle strength, Mitochondrial function and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Urolithin A has been researched for: Cellular health, Muscle strength, Mitochondrial function, Longevity, Anti-aging. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 7 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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