Acer Truncatum bunge

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Acer truncatum (Shantung maple) is an Asian maple tree whose seed oil contains a rare omega-9 fatty acid called nervonic acid (cis-15-tetracosenoic acid). Acer truncatum seed oil is marketed for brain and nervous system support.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Brain and myelin health (preclinical)

Mixed Evidence

Animal and cell studies suggest nervonic acid supports myelination and nerve membrane integrity. Adequate human clinical trials are lacking.

How it works

Nervonic acid is a long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid concentrated in the white matter of the brain and in nerve cell myelin sheaths. It is hypothesized to support myelination and nerve membrane integrity. Most evidence comes from preclinical models; controlled human trials of acer truncatum oil are limited.

Dosage

No standardized human dose. Supplement labels often supply 250-1,000 mg of seed oil per day, with nervonic acid content typically 5-10% of the oil.

When and how to take it

Fat-soluble; take with fat-containing meals to enhance absorption.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Seed oil

Most common format, supplied as softgels or liquid oil.

Fat-soluble; absorption improved with meals

Safety

Limited published human safety data. Seed oils are generally well tolerated; potential allergens are not well characterized for this less common ingredient.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited data. Anyone with tree nut or seed allergies should use caution.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported in available literature.

Food sources

Acer truncatum seed

Amount
rich in nervonic acid
%DV
—

Macadamia nuts

Amount
modest nervonic acid
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

What is special about acer truncatum oil?⌄

It is one of the richest plant sources of nervonic acid, a fatty acid concentrated in brain myelin.

Will it support brain health?⌄

Preclinical work is suggestive but adequate human trials are not available.

References

Acer Truncatum bunge on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Acer Truncatum bunge on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Acer Truncatum bunge (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.