Oxaloacetate
At a glance
- Best for
- people with chronic fatigue exploring an experimental adjunct
- Typical dose
- 100–1000 mg/day (studied ranges vary widely)
- Time to effect
- Weeks (uncertain)
- Main caution
- very limited human safety and efficacy data
What is it
Oxaloacetate is a four-carbon intermediate of the citric acid (Krebs) cycle, sold as a stabilized supplement (often as a calcium or sodium salt). It is marketed as an energy-metabolism and 'calorie-restriction mimetic' compound, with most interest in fatigue conditions. Human evidence is early and limited.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You have a fatigue condition and accept that evidence is early and unproven
- You are working with a clinician on an experimental basis
Probably skip if…
- You want an evidence-backed treatment
- You expect weight loss or anti-aging benefits in humans
- You are cost-sensitive — it is expensive for thin evidence
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chronic fatigue (ME/CFS and post-viral fatigue) | Limited Evidence | Uncertain | adults with ME/CFS or long-COVID-type fatigue | Weeks |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
chronic fatigue (ME/CFS and post-viral fatigue)
Supplement benefitSmall open-label and uncontrolled studies (some combining oxaloacetate with ascorbate) have reported reductions in fatigue scores in ME/CFS and long-COVID cohorts. These studies generally lacked blinded placebo control or were industry-associated, so the apparent benefit could reflect placebo or natural fluctuation. Rigorous randomized trials are lacking.
Bottom line: Early uncontrolled data hint at a fatigue benefit, but it is unproven and needs controlled trials.
Evidence is mixed
Positive signals come almost entirely from open-label or uncontrolled studies, which are prone to bias; no robust placebo-controlled confirmation exists.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- Studied doses range roughly 100–1000 mg/day, often divided
- Timing
- With meals
- With food
- With food
- Split dosing
- Often split across the day in studies
- How long to try
- If trialing, reassess at 4–6 weeks
What to track
- Fatigue/energy levels
- Daily function
- Any GI side effects
Safety
Common side effects
Generally well tolerated in short studies, Occasional GI upset
Who should avoid it
- People wanting established treatments should not rely on it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (no data)
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid.
Choosing a product
Look for
- Stabilized (anhydrous enol) oxaloacetate
- Clear mg per dose
- Third-party testing for identity/purity
Be skeptical of
- Anti-aging or lifespan-extension claims
- Guaranteed fatigue cure
- Weight-loss promises
References by claim
Track Oxaloacetate with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: 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.