Best Supplements for Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 99 supplements across 153 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence8 studies
Vitamin D supplementation shows moderate evidence for reducing IL-6 levels. Among 8 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects with a predominant moderate effect size, while 3 found no significant change. The median study duration was 56 days, and most studies used daily doses between 200 and 5000 IU in clinical populations such as colorectal cancer patients, overweight/obese adults, and those with low-grade inflammation.
Product matchViva Naturals — Vitamin D3 with Organic Liquid Coconut Oil125 mcg · $15.16 · ★5.0 (208) - Moderate evidence7 studies
Across 7 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of vitamin C on reducing interleukin-6 levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate, while 3 found neutral effects. The median study duration was 28 days, though effects were observed in both acute (1-day) and longer-term (84-day) settings. Most studied populations were clinical (e.g., cardiac surgery, septic shock, hemodialysis patients), and doses ranged from 250 mg to 1000 mg/day.
Dose: 250-1000 mg/day - Moderate evidence4 studies
Across all 4 studies, black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation consistently shows moderate beneficial effects on reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. All 4 studies report statistically significant reductions, with a median study duration of 32 days (approximately 4–8 weeks). The most-studied dose range is 2000–4600 mg/day, and effects are observed in populations with metabolic syndrome, overweight/obesity, and related inflammatory conditions.
Dose: 2000–4600 mg/day
- ModerateVitamin DVitamin D supplementation shows moderate evidence for reducing IL-6 levels. Among 8 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects with a predominant moderate effect size, while 3 found no significant change. The median study duration was 56 days, and most studies used daily doses between 200 and 5000 IU in clinical populations such as colorectal cancer patients, overweight/obese adults, and those with low-grade inflammation.5 beneficial3 neutral8 studies
- ModerateVitamin CAcross 7 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of vitamin C on reducing interleukin-6 levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate, while 3 found neutral effects. The median study duration was 28 days, though effects were observed in both acute (1-day) and longer-term (84-day) settings. Most studied populations were clinical (e.g., cardiac surgery, septic shock, hemodialysis patients), and doses ranged from 250 mg to 1000 mg/day. · Dose: 250-1000 mg/day4 beneficial3 neutral7 studies
- ModerateBlack CuminAcross all 4 studies, black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation consistently shows moderate beneficial effects on reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. All 4 studies report statistically significant reductions, with a median study duration of 32 days (approximately 4–8 weeks). The most-studied dose range is 2000–4600 mg/day, and effects are observed in populations with metabolic syndrome, overweight/obesity, and related inflammatory conditions. · Dose: 2000–4600 mg/day4 beneficial4 studies
- ModerateL-CarnitineAcross 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of L-carnitine supplementation on reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, with a predominantly small effect size, and 1 neutral finding. One study was a large meta-analysis (n=3255) showing a statistically significant beneficial effect (p=0.001). The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks), and most studies used doses around 2000–3000 mg/day in adult clinical populations (obese patients, critically ill patients, children on hemodialysis). · Dose: 2000–3000 mg/day3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- ModerateCardamomAcross all 3 studies, cardamom showed beneficial effects on reducing interleukin-6 levels, with effects ranging from small to moderate. All 3 studies reported statistically significant reductions, including two meta-analyses and one randomized controlled trial. The median study duration was 120 days, and the most studied population included adults with metabolic syndrome or related conditions, with one study testing 3 g/day in obese women with PCOS. · Dose: 3 g/day3 beneficial3 studies
- ModerateTurmericAcross 4 studies, 2 reported beneficial moderate-sized effects on interleukin-6 levels, while 2 found no significant effect. The predominant effect size across studies was mixed (small to moderate). Effects were typically observed at 12 weeks (median study duration 84 days). Most studies were conducted in clinical populations (chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome).2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- LowWhey ProteinAcross 4 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects on reducing interleukin-6 levels, while 2 found neutral effects. The median study duration was 73 days, suggesting effects may require 8–12 weeks. The most-studied dose range is 20–25 g/day in older clinical populations, particularly those with sarcopenia or frailty and hemodialysis patients. · Dose: 20–25 g/day2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- LowPropolisAcross 4 studies, results are mixed: 2 reported beneficial effects of propolis on reducing interleukin-6 levels (one with a large effect size, one with a small effect), while 2 high-quality systematic reviews found neutral effects. The predominant effect size is mixed (small to large), with the strongest signal coming from a 2024 meta-analysis reporting a large effect (SMD = -3.47, p < 0.001). Doses, forms, and study durations were not consistently reported across studies, limiting the ability to identify effective dose ranges or treatment durations.2 beneficial2 neutral4 studies
- LowSaffronAcross 3 studies (1 meta-analysis, 2 RCTs), 2 reported statistically significant beneficial effects of saffron on reducing interleukin-6 levels. Effect sizes were mixed (small to moderate). The most studied doses were 100–200 mg/day in clinical populations (obese women with type 2 diabetes, ICU sepsis patients), with a median study duration of ~46 days. · Dose: 100-200 mg/day2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowN-Acetyl CysteineAcross 3 studies, 1 reported a beneficial large effect on reducing IL-6 levels, while 2 found neutral effects. The only significant finding came from a meta-analysis showing a large reduction, but two RCTs in clinical populations (older adults with vitamin D deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis patients) using 600–1200 mg/day for a median of 70 days found no significant effect. The evidence is mixed, with a single beneficial study conflicting with two neutral trials. · Dose: 600–1200 mg/day1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies