Listly by mrhealthguy
No one stays young forever, but some nutritional supplements promise to add some time to your life -- or at least make you healthier now. Here are the top seven supplements to slow down the aging process.
Nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B, is a great option to experiment with. It protects your brain from toxins and stress and increases the ratio of two essential compounds called NAD+ and NADH. Your body uses NAD+ to protect your cells, maintain healthy sleep cycles, and repair damaged DNA.
Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide are precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide which is found in every cell and involved in many critical processes including energy metabolism, DNA repair, and gene expression. However, levels of this also decline with age and it is thought to be associated with accelerated physical decline and the onset of age related disease.
Our bodies naturally make CoQ10 (also known as ubiquinone), a nutrient necessary for basic cell function. It enters the mitochondria (our cells' "energy centers"), where it helps transform fats and sugars into energy. As we age, CoQ10 levels naturally decline. Being deficient in CoQ10 can lead to an increase in oxidative stress. This damages the skin externally and muscular tissues internally, contributing to age-related issues. However, research studies have shown that these can be alleviated by taking supplements.
This is a supplement that protects against oxidative cell damage. This includes protection of the skin, the blood vessels, and the muscles. The supplement is even recommended for heart patients and people with fibromyalgia. Coenzyme Q10 is vital for the production of mitochondrial energy and heart health. With advancing age, the body produces less CoQ10, so it's one of the anti-aging supplements experts are likely to recommend, especially for patients over 40 who are struggling with fatigue or cardiovascular issues.
Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant that supports production of mitochondrial energy and heart health, it has been shown to help lower blood pressure in those with hypertension, and protect against oxidative damage. With age production of CoQ10 decreases making experts recommend supplementation for patients aged 40+ struggling with fatigue or cardiovascular issues.
PQQ is a compound that's naturally found in foods like green tea, kiwi, and green peppers. According to studies, it might have antioxidant effects and positively impact brain function.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a compound found ubiquitously in plants, many simple and single cell eukaryotes (e.g., yeast), and certain bacteria. Early studies in mice and rats revealed that diets deficient in PQQ resulted in growth impairment, compromised immune response, abnormal reproductive performance, and metabolic inflexibility.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone is a small quinone molecule which has the ability to be a REDOX agent, capable of reducing oxidants (an antioxidant effect) and then being recycled by glutathione back into an active form.
N-acetylcysteine, commonly referred to as NAC, is a precursor to glutathione. This powerful antioxidant is widely known to protect cell membranes, minimize the effects of stress, and reverse DNA damage. NAC is used in hospitals to treat acetaminophen overdoses. When people take it as a supplement, evidence suggests that it provides liver support and has a positive effect on metabolism.
Also known as ALC or ALCAR, this brain-enhancing amino acid works by crossing the blood-brain barrier and acting as a powerful antioxidant. Studies have found that it improves brain function, lowers inflammation, improves blood flow, raises mental and physical energy, and even improves your focus.
From an anti-aging perspective, maintaining the health of your cells is essential. It's important that they receive all the fuel they need to function optimally. L-carnitine also helps to eradicate cellular debris which can contribute to aging if allowed to build up. It's also been shown to prevent muscle mass wastage and increase bone density, both of which are important as we get older.
Curcumin, a medicinal compound found in turmeric, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that ease the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. It's also shown to have DHT-blocking capabilities and helps with hair loss.
The other impressive property of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory effects. Studies show that it reduces inflammation, joint pain, and swelling that's commonly associated with many types of arthritis. This is something that people often experience as they age, so adding turmeric to your food may ease some of the symptoms. It can also balance your levels of ‘good' and ‘bad' cholesterol which reduces your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Known as the "red wine" chemical, resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skin of grapes and berries (yes, red wine, too). It has extended the life span of many organisms, from yeast to fruit flies, which potentially makes it one of the more powerful anti-aging supplements.
Research shows that it activates the SIRT1 gene which is responsible for regulating cellular longevity. This could make it the most powerful of all the anti-aging compounds but further research is needed to prove its effect on humans. In the meantime, we can all benefit from its cardiovascular health properties. Resveratrol has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Resveratrol is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. It may activate SIRT1 genes that regulate cellular longevity, and has extended the life span of many organisms in studies. Human studies have shown it significantly lowered cholesterol, and risks for heart disease. It may also help to ease joint pain, suppress cancer cells, and extend lifespan in certain species.