Evidence — the research, in full

The evidence.
All of it.

6 sources 4 in the formula · 2 cut Including the studies against us Updated October 2026

Every ingredient in Northernvera has a randomized trial behind it. Here are those trials in plain language, with links to the originals, including the ones that didn’t go our way.

01

Vitamin C, vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid

In the formula · at the tested dose

Verdict: mixedA small trial found a benefit. A larger, more rigorous trial of the same combination did not. The Wilderness Medical Society doesn’t recommend antioxidants for preventing altitude sickness.

SupportsRandomized · double-blind · placebo-controlled · 18 people

The combination lowered altitude-sickness scores on a trek to Everest base camp (≈5,180 m).

  • Altitude-sickness score 2.8 vs 4.0 on placebo (Lake Louise scale)
  • Blood-oxygen saturation 89% vs 85%
  • Daily dose: 1,000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid, from 3 weeks before the trek (the same as our formula)
  • Limitation: very small, with 9 people per group
Bailey & Davies · High Altitude Medicine & Biology · 2001 ↗
AgainstRandomized · double-blind · placebo-controlled · 83 people

A larger trial of the same combination found no benefit on an ascent to 5,200 m.

  • Altitude sickness on day 2 at 5,200 m: 69% with antioxidants vs 66% on placebo
  • No difference in severity or blood-oxygen saturation
  • Same daily doses as the first trial and our formula
Baillie et al. · QJM · 2009 ↗
02

Ginger extract

In the formula · equal to 1 g of root a day

Verdict: some evidence, not at altitudeGinger has eased nausea in randomized trials, though the reviewers rate that evidence as low quality. It has never been trialed for altitude sickness. It’s in because nausea is one of altitude sickness’s core symptoms.

SupportsSystematic review · 12 randomized trials · 1,278 people

Ginger eased nausea compared with placebo.

  • Nausea improved; vomiting episodes did not change significantly
  • Studied in pregnancy-related nausea, not altitude
  • The reviewers rate the evidence as low quality
Viljoen et al. · Nutrition Journal · 2014 ↗
03

Rhodiola crenulata

Removed from the formula

Verdict: no benefitIt was our original hero ingredient. A rigorous trial showed it did no better than placebo, so we took it out.

AgainstRandomized · double-blind · placebo-controlled · crossover · 102 people

Rhodiola did no better than placebo on a rapid ascent to 3,421 m.

  • Altitude sickness: 60.8% with Rhodiola and 60.8% on placebo
  • 800 mg extract daily, for 7 days before and 2 days during the ascent
Chiu et al. · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2013 ↗
04

Ginkgo biloba and “EPO boosters”

Never added

Verdict: no benefitGinkgo is common in altitude products. A large trial found it did nothing, and the Wilderness Medical Society doesn’t recommend it. “EPO boosters” aren’t a real ingredient, so there’s nothing to test.

AgainstRandomized · double-blind · placebo-controlled · 614 people

Ginkgo did no better than placebo among trekkers near Everest base camp.

  • Altitude sickness: 35% on ginkgo vs 34% on placebo
  • 487 of 614 trekkers completed the trial
Gertsch et al. · BMJ · 2004 ↗
05

What does prevent altitude sickness

Not something we sell

Verdict: ascend gradually, ask a doctorThe proven measures are a gradual ascent and prescription medication, mainly acetazolamide. Talk to a doctor before a high-altitude trip.

SupportsSame trial as above · acetazolamide arm

Acetazolamide cut altitude sickness by about two-thirds.

  • Altitude sickness: 12% on acetazolamide vs 34% on placebo
  • Prescription only. A doctor decides whether it’s right for you
Gertsch et al. · BMJ · 2004 ↗
GuidelineExpert clinical guidelines

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than 500 m a day, with a rest day every 3–4 days.

  • Gradual ascent is the first-line prevention in the guidelines
  • Ginkgo and antioxidant supplements are not recommended for prevention
Wilderness Medical Society · Luks et al. · 2024 update ↗

Sources

  1. Bailey DM, Davies B. Acute mountain sickness; prophylactic benefits of antioxidant vitamin supplementation at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 2001;2(1):21–29. PubMed 11252695
  2. Baillie JK, et al. Oral antioxidant supplementation does not prevent acute mountain sickness: double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. QJM. 2009;102(5):341–348. PubMed 19273551
  3. Viljoen E, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutr J. 2014;13:20. PubMed 24642205
  4. Chiu TF, et al. Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:298. PubMed 24176010
  5. Gertsch JH, et al. Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled comparison of ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for prevention of acute mountain sickness among Himalayan trekkers. BMJ. 2004;328:797. PubMed 15070635
  6. Luks AM, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness: 2024 Update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2024;35(1 suppl):2S–19S. PubMed 37833187
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