Elderberry dosage recommendations
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Elderberry Dosage Recommendations: Human and Animal Studies
Elderberry Dosage for Cognitive and Inflammatory Benefits
A study on patients with mild cognitive impairment used American elderberry juice at a dosage of 5 mL, taken orally three times a day (totaling 15 mL daily) for six months. This regimen was well tolerated, with high compliance and low dropout rates, and showed potential benefits for cognitive flexibility and reducing low-grade inflammation, though larger studies are needed to confirm these effects .
Elderberry Dosage for Ocular Health
In a randomized controlled trial, adults were given 100 mg of elderberry extract once daily for 20 days, combined with lutein and zeaxanthin, to assess effects on dry eye disease and immunity. The supplementation led to significant improvements in ocular health, but the study suggested that higher dosages or longer durations might be necessary for more pronounced immune benefits .
Elderberry Dosage for Influenza
For influenza treatment, a clinical trial administered 15 mL (containing 5.7 g elderberry extract) twice daily for children aged 5–12 years, and 15 mL four times daily for those older than 12, over five days. However, this study found no significant benefit in reducing the duration or severity of influenza symptoms compared to placebo .
Elderberry Dosage in Animal Studies
Animal studies provide additional context for safe and effective dosing:
- In diabetic rats, oral supplementation with elderberry extracts was given at 190 mg/kg (lipophilic extract) and 350 mg/kg (polar extract) body weight per day for four weeks, showing positive effects on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance without notable toxicity .
- In mice, elderberry extract was administered in drinking water at concentrations of 12, 24, and 48 mg/mL for 29 days. Doses of 24 and 48 mg/mL reduced oxidative DNA damage and showed a favorable safety profile, though the highest dose reduced water intake .
Safety and Duration Considerations
Across studies, elderberry supplementation was generally well tolerated in both humans and animals, with no significant adverse effects reported at the tested dosages and durations 235. However, the optimal dosage may vary depending on the health outcome targeted, and longer supplementation periods or higher doses may be needed for certain benefits, such as immune function .
Conclusion
Human studies have used elderberry dosages ranging from 100 mg extract daily to 15 mL juice multiple times per day, with supplementation periods from 5 days to 6 months. Animal studies support the safety of higher relative doses. While elderberry appears safe at these dosages, the most effective dose and duration depend on the specific health goal. More research is needed to establish standardized dosage recommendations for different uses.
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