Which supplements are of most interest for healthy aging and longevity?

    Researchedby:
    Morgan Pfiffner

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Louie Neri, Rob Stenstrom
    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Supplements that may help reduce the risk of diseases known to shorten lifespan and/or healthspan include cocoa extract (for cardiovascular disease),[1] protein powder (for sarcopenia),[2] and certain B-vitamins (for cognitive decline),[3]. Outside of treating vitamin deficiencies, the evidence for many of these supplements is inconsistent or has important shortcomings.

    Studies on animals (e.g., mice) have noted improvements to lifespan and/or healthspan from various supplements, including NAD+ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide),[4][5] glycine (sometimes in combination with N-acetyl cysteine),[6][7] and alpha-ketoglutarate.[8] Astragalus may be able to lengthen telomeres (the DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten with age). However, much of the research on these supplements has notable limitations, and there is currently very little quality evidence that they promote healthy aging or increase lifespan in humans.

    References

    1. ^Howard D Sesso, JoAnn E Manson, Aaron K Aragaki, Pamela M Rist, Lisa G Johnson, Georgina Friedenberg, Trisha Copeland, Allison Clar, Samia Mora, M Vinayaga Moorthy, Ara Sarkissian, William R Carrick, Garnet L Anderson, COSMOS Research GroupEffect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for prevention of cardiovascular disease events: The COSMOS randomized clinical trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2022 Mar 16)
    2. ^Christianto Putra, Nicolai Konow, Matthew Gage, Catherine G York, Kelsey M ManganoProtein Source and Muscle Health in Older Adults: A Literature ReviewNutrients.(2021 Feb 26)
    3. ^Zhibin Wang, Wei Zhu, Yi Xing, Jianping Jia, Yi TangB vitamins and prevention of cognitive decline and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysisNutr Rev.(2021 Aug 25)
    4. ^Fang EF, Kassahun H, Croteau DL, Scheibye-Knudsen M, Marosi K, Lu H, Shamanna RA, Kalyanasundaram S, Bollineni RC, Wilson MA, Iser WB, Wollman BN, Morevati M, Li J, Kerr JS, Lu Q, Waltz TB, Tian J, Sinclair DA, Mattson MP, Nilsen H, Bohr VANAD Replenishment Improves Lifespan and Healthspan in Ataxia Telangiectasia Models via Mitophagy and DNA Repair.Cell Metab.(2016-10-11)
    5. ^Zhang H, Ryu D, Wu Y, Gariani K, Wang X, Luan P, D'Amico D, Ropelle ER, Lutolf MP, Aebersold R, Schoonjans K, Menzies KJ, Auwerx JNAD⁺ repletion improves mitochondrial and stem cell function and enhances life span in mice.Science.(2016-Jun-17)
    6. ^Miller RA, Harrison DE, Astle CM, Bogue MA, Brind J, Fernandez E, Flurkey K, Javors M, Ladiges W, Leeuwenburgh C, Macchiarini F, Nelson J, Ryazanov AG, Snyder J, Stearns TM, Vaughan DE, Strong RGlycine supplementation extends lifespan of male and female mice.Aging Cell.(2019-06)
    7. ^Kumar P, Osahon OW, Sekhar RVGlyNAC (Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine) Supplementation in Mice Increases Length of Life by Correcting Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Abnormalities in Mitophagy and Nutrient Sensing, and Genomic Damage.Nutrients.(2022-Mar-07)
    8. ^Azar Asadi Shahmirzadi, Daniel Edgar, Chen-Yu Liao, Yueh-Mei Hsu, Mark Lucanic, Arash Asadi Shahmirzadi, Christopher D Wiley, Garbo Gan, Dong Eun Kim, Herbert G Kasler, Chisaka Kuehnemann, Brian Kaplowitz, Dipa Bhaumik, Rebeccah R Riley, Brian K Kennedy, Gordon J LithgowAlpha-Ketoglutarate, an Endogenous Metabolite, Extends Lifespan and Compresses Morbidity in Aging MiceCell Metab.(2020 Sep 1)