Best Supplements for Improved Quality of Life
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 99 supplements across 142 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence6 studies
Across 6 studies, all reported beneficial effects of vitamin D on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (predominantly small). The evidence is strongest in clinical populations with Alzheimer's disease, chronic urticaria, and fibromyalgia. Doses used in one systematic review were 4000 IU/day or 60000 IU/week, though most studies did not report dosing details.
Dose: 4000 IU/day or 60000 IU/weekProduct matchViva Naturals — Vitamin D3 with Organic Liquid Coconut Oil125 mcg · $15.16 · ★5.0 (208) - Moderate evidence5 studies
Across 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (mixed). The median study duration was 84 days (12 weeks). Most studies were in clinical populations (e.g., functional dyspepsia, chronic low back pain, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer).
- Low evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects (1 large, 2 moderate) and 1 reported a neutral effect, yielding a predominantly beneficial direction with moderate-to-large effect sizes. Two of the four studies reached statistical significance. The median study duration was 84 days. Most evidence comes from clinical populations, including women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, IBS patients, and cancer patients receiving home enteral nutrition, with one study using a dose of 1×10^10 CFU/day.
Dose: 1×10^10 CFU/day
- ModerateVitamin DAcross 6 studies, all reported beneficial effects of vitamin D on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (predominantly small). The evidence is strongest in clinical populations with Alzheimer's disease, chronic urticaria, and fibromyalgia. Doses used in one systematic review were 4000 IU/day or 60000 IU/week, though most studies did not report dosing details. · Dose: 4000 IU/day or 60000 IU/week6 beneficial6 studies
- ModerateTurmericAcross 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (mixed). The median study duration was 84 days (12 weeks). Most studies were in clinical populations (e.g., functional dyspepsia, chronic low back pain, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer).4 beneficial1 neutral5 studies
- LowLactobacillus plantarum 299vAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects (1 large, 2 moderate) and 1 reported a neutral effect, yielding a predominantly beneficial direction with moderate-to-large effect sizes. Two of the four studies reached statistical significance. The median study duration was 84 days. Most evidence comes from clinical populations, including women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, IBS patients, and cancer patients receiving home enteral nutrition, with one study using a dose of 1×10^10 CFU/day. · Dose: 1×10^10 CFU/day3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- LowL-ArginineAcross 3 randomized controlled trials, L-arginine supplementation consistently showed small to large beneficial effects on quality of life in clinical populations. All 3 studies reported statistically significant improvements, with effects predominantly small in two studies and large in one. The most commonly studied dose range was approximately 1.66–5 g per day, with effects typically observed at 4–7 weeks (median study duration 49 days). · Dose: 1.66–5 g per day3 beneficial3 studies
- LowBifidobacterium plantarumAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium plantarum on quality of life, with small to moderate effect sizes. Two of the 3 studies reached statistical significance. Evidence is drawn from systematic reviews and meta-analyses in adult IBS patients and dermatological conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis). Doses and study durations were not consistently reported across studies.3 beneficial3 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus casei PXN 37Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus casei PXN 37 on quality of life, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The evidence is derived from systematic reviews in patient populations with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy, neurodegenerative diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases, but no statistically significant findings were reported and study durations were not consistently provided.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowL-CarnitineAcross 4 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects and 2 were neutral, with no harmful effects, indicating mixed but cautiously positive evidence for L-carnitine improving quality of life. The predominant effect size among beneficial studies was small to moderate, and the median study duration was 84 days (12 weeks). Most evidence comes from clinical populations with specific conditions (liver cirrhosis, migraine, BPH, COPD), and the most commonly tested dose was between 500 mg/day and 2 g/day. · Dose: 500 mg/day to 2 g/day2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- LowOliveAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation on quality of life, while 1 showed neutral effects. Both beneficial findings were statistically significant. Effects were typically observed at 8–12 weeks (median study duration: 84 days), with doses ranging from 250–400 mg/day in the positive studies. · Dose: 250–400 mg/day2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- Very lowSaw PalmettoAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a small beneficial effect on quality of life, while 2 reported neutral effects with small effect sizes. The median study duration was approximately 7.75 years (2828 days), indicating that effects were assessed over long-term use; however, the evidence base is very small and predominantly neutral. The most studied population was men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement or hyperplasia, with one study using 320 mg once daily of saw palmetto extract. · Dose: 320 mg once a day1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies