ThornevsTimeline Mitopure (Urolithin A)
Thorne
Timeline Mitopure (Urolithin A)
Urolithin A (Mitopure), 500 mg/day
Side-by-side
| # | Product | Active ingredient | Starting price | FDA status | Score | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thorne | — | Best ·$25/mo | supplement | Top ·7.8 | See offer → |
| 2 | Timeline Mitopure (Urolithin A) | Urolithin A (Mitopure), 500 mg/day | $95/mo | supplement | 7.3 | See offer → |
Side-by-side scoring breakdown
How they work
Thorne's longevity line centers on raising NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for mitochondrial energy production and DNA repair that declines with age. ResveraCel delivers nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 form the body converts into NAD+, which in turn fuels "sirtuin" enzymes linked to cellular maintenance. The formula adds trans-resveratrol and quercetin phytosome (intended to support sirtuin activity and absorption) plus betaine to support methylation, since NAD+ metabolism consumes methyl groups. In plain terms: NR is the raw material that tops up your NAD+ tank; the other ingredients are meant to help that tank get used efficiently. This is a plausible mechanism, but a mechanism is not the same as a proven health outcome.
Urolithin A is a metabolite your gut bacteria make from ellagitannins in pomegranate and berries, though many people produce little of it. Each 500 mg daily dose of Mitopure delivers a standardized, bioavailable form that triggers mitophagy, the cellular process of recycling damaged mitochondria, which helps muscle cells preserve mitochondrial quality and energy output as they age.
Effectiveness
The strongest evidence is narrow but consistent: NR reliably raises NAD+. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 120 adults aged 60-80 testing an NR-plus-pterostilbene formula found whole-blood NAD+ rose roughly 40% at the recommended dose and about 90% at double dose by week 4, sustained over the 8-week trial (Dellinger et al., npj Aging, 2017). A 2025 eClinicalMedicine long-COVID trial using 2000 mg/day NR raised NAD+ about 2.6-3.1 fold, yet showed no statistically significant improvement in its primary cognition outcome or in fatigue, sleep, or mood versus placebo; exploratory analyses hinted at some symptom improvement in those who took NR for at least 10 weeks, but this was not a confirmed result. Resveratrol's longevity benefits remain unproven in humans: comprehensive reviews cite poor bioavailability and no conclusive clinical evidence for anti-aging outcomes. So: NAD+ goes up; downstream "live longer/feel younger" benefits are not yet demonstrated.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published in Cell Reports Medicine (2022, middle-aged adults) and JAMA Network Open (2022, older adults) found that 500 mg/day Urolithin A improved muscle strength (around 12% in one trial), exercise endurance, and biomarkers of mitochondrial health versus placebo. The evidence is strongest for muscle and mitochondrial function; it does not demonstrate extended lifespan in humans.
Side effects
In clinical trials, NR-based formulas were well tolerated with no serious adverse events; mild, uncommon effects included gastrointestinal upset (nausea, bloating), more frequent at higher doses. Resveratrol at high doses can cause GI symptoms and, because it may mildly inhibit platelet aggregation and certain drug-metabolizing enzymes, can theoretically increase bleeding or interact with medications. Quercetin is generally well tolerated. There are no documented serious safety signals at label doses, but long-term, high-dose safety data are limited, so periodic check-ins with a clinician are sensible. This is general information, not medical advice.
Across 25+ human studies Mitopure has shown a strong safety profile and holds FDA GRAS status. Infrequent effects can include mild digestive discomfort or nausea. Stop and consult a clinician if you experience an unexpected reaction.
Cost & value
As of 2026, ResveraCel runs about $58-60 for a one-month supply (60 capsules at the standard 2-capsules-once-daily serving), with roughly 10% off via Thorne's subscription. Third-party retailers (Amazon, iHerb, Vitacost, and the Mayo Clinic Store) price it similarly, occasionally a few dollars less. Supplements are not covered by insurance, but US buyers can typically pay with HSA/FSA funds. Thorne's separate Biological Age test is about $95, and note that the required blood panel is an added, separate cost you arrange yourself.
As of 2026, roughly $85-$95/month on longer subscriptions, $112.50/month on a basic monthly plan, or $125 for a one-time 30-day softgel bottle from Timeline. Powder and gummy formats are also sold. Not covered by insurance.
Who it's for
Best for generally healthy adults, often 40+, who want a high-purity NAD+ precursor and value third-party certification (athletes benefit from NSF Certified for Sport options). Avoid or get medical clearance if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver or kidney disease, or take blood thinners or blood-pressure medication, since resveratrol can affect clotting and drug metabolism. People on chemotherapy or with hormone-sensitive conditions should consult an oncologist before using resveratrol-containing products. It is a supplement, not a treatment for any diagnosed disease.
Marketed to healthy adults, particularly those focused on muscle and mitochondrial health with age. Not intended for those pregnant or breastfeeding; consult a clinician if you have a medical condition or take medications. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Bottom line
Timeline Mitopure (Urolithin A): Mitopure is the most clinically validated product in the longevity supplement aisle, with several randomized trials on the exact compound. It is also one of the most expensive, and the proven benefits are about muscle and mitochondrial function, not extending lifespan. On balance, Thorne edges ahead in our scoring, but the right choice depends on your situation.
Sources behind our Thorne and Timeline Mitopure (Urolithin A) reviews
- Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans — Nature Communications (Trammell et al.; PMC, NIH) (2016)
- Repeat dose NRPT (nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene) increases NAD+ levels in humans safely and sustainably: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study — npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease (Dellinger et al.; PMC, NIH) (2017)
- Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults — Nature Communications (Martens et al.; PMC, NIH) (2018)
- Effects of nicotinamide riboside on NAD+ levels, cognition, and symptom recovery in long-COVID: a randomized controlled trial — eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet; via PubMed) (2025)
- Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence — Cell Metabolism (Rajman, Chwalek, Sinclair; via PubMed) (2018)
- NAD+ Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR — Cell Metabolism (2017)
- Health Effects of Resveratrol: Results from Human Intervention Trials — Nutrients (Ramirez-Garza et al.; PMC, NIH) (2018)
- SIRT1, resveratrol and aging — Frontiers in Genetics (Rogina; PMC, NIH) (2024)
- Effect of resveratrol supplementation on cognitive performance and mood in adults: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Nutrition Reviews (Marx et al.; via PubMed) (2018)
- The effects of resveratrol on lipid profiles and liver enzymes in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Nutrition & Metabolism (PMC, NIH) (2020)
- FDA Declares Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Is a Dietary Supplement (regulatory analysis of FDA's 2025 reversal of its 2022 NMN exclusion) — Venable LLP (2025)
- FDA declares NMN lawful in dietary supplements — NutraIngredients-USA (2025)
- Certified for Sport Program (third-party supplement testing standard) — NSF International (2024)
- What Our Mark Means — NSF Certified for Sport — NSF International (2024)
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know — Consumer Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2023)
- Thorne ResveraCel product page (ingredients, serving size, NSF certifications) — Thorne (2026)
- Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day — NSF Certified (Mayo Clinic Store retail listing) — Mayo Clinic Store (2026)
- Urolithin A improves muscle strength, exercise performance, and biomarkers of mitochondrial health in a randomized trial in middle-aged adults — Cell Reports Medicine (2022)
- Effect of Urolithin A Supplementation on Muscle Endurance and Mitochondrial Health in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial — JAMA Network Open / PMC (NIH) (2022)
- Urolithin A improves muscle strength and biomarkers of mitochondrial health (full text) — PMC / NIH (2022)
- Mitopure Softgels (product & dosage) — Timeline (2026)
- Best Urolithin A Supplement: Researched and Tested 2026 — Innerbody Research (2026)
Editorial comparison, not medical advice. Discuss options with a qualified clinician. Individual results vary.