Digalactosyl Diglyceride

Fatty-acidGlycolipidBest with a meal

What is it

Digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) is a galactolipid abundant in chloroplast membranes of plants. It is found in green leafy vegetables, microalgae, and grass-based ingredients.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Membrane lipid intake (plant-based)

Mixed Evidence

Background dietary component of leafy vegetables and microalgae. Specific supplement benefits are not well established in humans.

How it works

DGDG is a structural membrane lipid combining two galactose units with a diglyceride. In humans, it is largely hydrolyzed during digestion to fatty acids, glycerol, and galactose. Some preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of intact galactolipids in vitro. Dietary intake from plants is presumed safe; high-dose supplementation has not been well studied.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Supplemental DGDG dosing is not standardized. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Consumed with meals as part of plant foods. No specific time of day required.

1 commercial form

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Plant-derived DGDG

Naturally present in leafy greens and microalgae.

Largely hydrolyzed in digestion.

Safety

Considered safe as a natural plant lipid in normal dietary amounts. Concentrated supplementation has limited safety data.

Who should be cautious

No specific population concerns at dietary doses. Pregnancy/breastfeeding: limited data on concentrated supplements.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported.

Food sources

Leafy greens, microalgae (spirulina, chlorella)

Amount
varies
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Do I need DGDG supplements?⌄

No. DGDG comes naturally from plant foods; supplementation has no established clinical role.

Is it the same as a fat or sugar?⌄

It is a galactolipid: part fat (diglyceride), part sugar (digalactose).

References

Digalactosyl Diglyceride on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Digalactosyl Diglyceride on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Digalactosyl Diglyceride (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.