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While the search for a definitive anti-aging solution continues, several products and supplements show promise in promoting healthy aging. Microalgae supplements, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and NMN have demonstrated potential benefits in various studies. Natural skincare products also offer a viable alternative to synthetic options. However, further research and clinical trials are essential to validate these findings and ensure the safety and efficacy of these interventions.
The quest for longevity and the mitigation of aging signs has led to a burgeoning market of anti-aging products and supplements. These products range from dietary supplements to topical applications, each claiming to offer benefits that slow down or reverse the aging process. This article explores the efficacy of various anti-aging products and supplements based on recent scientific research.
Microalgae Supplements
Microalgae, particularly Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), have shown promising results in promoting healthy aging. A randomized controlled trial involving elderly individuals demonstrated that supplementation with PT, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), carotenoids, vitamins, and β-glucans, led to significant reductions in plasma interleukin-6, an inflammatory marker. Additionally, improvements in mobility parameters such as the 5-second sit-to-stand test and gait speed were observed1. These findings suggest that PT supplements may offer anti-inflammatory and potentially anti-oxidative benefits, making them suitable for healthy aging.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has long been recognized for its anti-aging properties, particularly in skin care. A clinical study involving 75 women evaluated the effects of a novel sodium hyaluronate-based cosmetic product and food supplement. The study found significant improvements in skin moisturization, elasticity, firmness, and profilometry. The combined treatment of both topical and oral HA resulted in the most pronounced benefits, which persisted even after the follow-up period2. This indicates that HA can effectively counteract skin aging signs when administered through multiple routes.
Antioxidant Supplements
The role of antioxidants in combating aging has been extensively studied. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are implicated in cellular damage and aging. A review highlighted the potential of various natural antioxidants, including vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and polyphenols, in extending healthy longevity by reducing oxidative stress3. Another study focused on dietary supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, and beta-carotenes, showing improved leukocyte functions and restored redox balance in prematurely aging mice7. These findings underscore the potential of antioxidant supplements in promoting healthy aging.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has garnered attention for its role in elevating NAD+ levels, which decline with age. NAD+ is crucial for energy production, DNA repair, and reducing oxidative stress. Studies have shown that NMN supplementation can ameliorate age-related complications and improve overall health. However, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in humans8.
Natural Anti-Aging Skincare
Natural compounds derived from plants have been increasingly used in anti-aging skincare products. These compounds, such as aloin, ginsenoside, and curcumin, offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and sun protection benefits. They help prevent trans-epidermal water loss and protect the skin from wrinkles and other aging signs5. The trend towards natural skincare is driven by consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable options6.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Lizzy Ostler has answered Uncertain
An expert from University of Brighton in Chemistry, Gerontology
There is a huge market for such supplements based on largely unsubstantiated claims at the current time. It is a pity because this tends to undermine the credilbility of researchers working on developing therapeutics that provide relief from multiple age-related degenerative diseases. It is likely that such supplements will eventually be possible, but only when
- a) we move on from the medical model that focuses on treating each disease separately (eg cardiovascular disease is managed and treated entirely independently from arthritis) to looking at underlying causes of age-related pathology (such as aberrant RNA splicing, and cellular senescence)
- b) we develop a research funding system that recognises that the medicines licensing system that uses the outdated medical model above is undermining industrial interest in developing genuine anti-degeneratives.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Peter McCaffery has answered Unlikely
An expert from University of Aberdeen in Biochemistry
If consider anti-wrinkle cream as anti-ageing products then those work e.g. creams based on vitamin A which reduce wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. These creams also improve colour of the skin by stimulating the production of new blood vessels in the skin, and can fade age spots
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles
Halting human ageing is not yet reliably possible, and (I believe) never will be. A healthy lifestyle will be very likely to increase your lifespan but this is through a decrease in disease frequency, so I would not consider that anti-ageing. Low calorie diets reliably increase lifespan in rodents and a very interesting study in primates https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-018-0024-8 found that calorie restriction increased lifespan by 50%, reduced age linked disease and reduced loss of brain white matter. But it increased loss of grey matter in the cerebrum! There were no behavioural changes that they could measure but this hardly sounds good and you have to wonder if other behavioural measurements would pick something. Also what would happen if applied to humans.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Fiona O’Leary has answered Unlikely
An expert from University of Sydney in Nutrition
The short answer is “No”, this is even though scientists and supplement companies have been searching long and hard for effective ant-aging supplements. Let’s look at the more recent history of science in this area.
In the 1980s antioxidant vitamins were hailed as preventing cancer, a common age-related disease, but studies found they were not effective and even increased cancer in some people. This was the case for the supplement beta-carotene (the orange-coloured component in carrots and other foods). Studies showed that beta-carotene supplements increased rates of lung cancer in previous smokers or those exposed to asbestos. Naturally occurring beta-carotene in foods such as carrots is safe and healthy.
In the 1990s it was the B group vitamins that had their heyday. They were thought to reduce homocysteine, an amino acid and an indicator of poor lifestyle habits. High homocysteine levels were linked to higher rates of heart disease, so the race was on to prove that B vitamin supplementation not only lowered homocysteine but also reduced heart disease. Once again well conducted research trials found no effect of the B group vitamins on heart disease rates.
Then to the 2000s. By now supplements were a multi-million-dollar industry, but there was still little or no evidence of benefits.
The current race is to find a cure or a preventative treatment for memory loss and dementia. Many natural and synthetic compounds have been tested for effectiveness. Sometimes different compounds showed promising results in animal studies, but not in human trials. This has been the case for some polyphenols, such as quercetin and resveratrol. As a consequence, recent World Health Organisation guidelines advise that vitamins B and E, poly-unsaturated fatty acids and multi-complex supplementation should not be recommended to reduce dementia risk, as current evidence reports little to no benefit from such supplementation.
The best protection against ageing, one that has been proven in many, many studies is a healthy plant-based diet. Diets that are high in vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, wholegrains with moderate intake of fish and seafood, white meats and healthy oils such as olive oil have been scientifically linked to reduced inflammation, a known contributor to ageing. These healthy diets are high in naturally occurring bioactive compounds that work together to reduce the risk of developing all age-related diseases, including heart disease, cancer and dementia. They also help to maintain a healthy immune system and a healthy weight.
The best way to age well is to enjoy a healthy diet. Add some regular exercise and you are setting yourself up for a very long and healthy life!
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Marco Demaria has answered Uncertain
An expert from University Medical Center Groningen in Cell Biology, Anti-Ageing
There are some evidences suggesting so. However, more comprehensive studies need to be performed.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Lorna Harries has answered Uncertain
An expert from University of Exeter in Genetics, Cell Biology
The devil is in the detail here, and again it depends on what you mean by ‘work’ and what you mean by ageing. Anti-ageing products will not stop you ageing (currently), but they may help to stop some of the adverse effects of ageing. I have hopes that some of the interventions that we and others are currently developing will help delay or ameliorate the effects of ‘bad’ ageing (disease, frailty etc) but in terms of stopping normal ageing, I don’t think so.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Janet Thornton has answered Unlikely
An expert from European Bioinformatics Institute in Bioinformatics, Anti-Ageing, Cell Biology
I am not aware that any of these compoinnds work in humans.
Do any ‘anti-aging’ products or supplements actually work?
Nazif Alic has answered Uncertain
An expert from University College London in Genetics, Anti-Ageing, Cell Biology
I think this will really depend on what you consider as “anti-aging”. If we think about health as we get older, I think that diet, metal and physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle are more important than most commonly encountered products or supplements.