Aging. It’s a fact of life. No one wants to, but everyone does. We’re all seeking that holy grail. The hunt for longevity and anti-aging is on the rise, with more research (and opinions) coming out daily.
But what CAN we do about it? Aside from eating a healthful diet and regularly engaging in exercise, can certain supplements help you live longer? Do anti-aging supplements or longevity supplements exist? Is there anything we can do to slow the aging process?
Like the biohacking trend, longevity sparks the intent that you can control the environment around and within you. To live efficiently, healthier, and happier. And who doesn’t want a fuller, longer life span?
I’ve rounded up the best supplements for longevity seekers, plus trending products that focus on aging well. From household staples to innovative and unique formats. Now I won’t be digging to the nitty gritty of the basics, like multivitamins, fish oil, and probiotics. Alongside condition specific support – keep these products stocked in your pantry.
We’re here to learn about the some of the best supplements for longevity seekers. So let’s get rolling on what to consider and what to keep your eye on as we uncover more knowledge on how anti-aging looks in the future.
I’m rolling these two categories into one, given the multiple benefits that collagen provides. Codeage Collagen includes five types of collagen – types I, II, III, V & X. Plus, 18 amino acids, including 8 of the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs). It’s Multi-Collagen Complex provides 9 g of protein from a variety of collagen and bone broth sources.
Collagen is a protein molecule made up of amino acids, providing structural support to our bones, skin, tissues, and tendons. These are the areas that we feel, and focus on, as we age. So, if you’re looking for a glow up for those pesky wrinkles or structural support for those achy joints – collagen can be a great place to start. I love that this collagen powder is flavorless and can be mixed into any beverage. I add collagen to my morning coffee, which I find makes it taste richer and creamier.
GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate is a supplement near and dear to my heart. Recently, our GNC dietitians and nutrition experts have done an extensive deep dive into the research this popular product is known best for – sports performance. But we’ve uncovered benefits well beyond the gym! There’re loads of research to support creatine in older adults, especially surrounding the maintenance and growth of muscle mass.
Muscle mass starts to decline after the age of 30… 30! Studies show, that using 5g of creatine monohydrate alongside a resistance training program supports the maintenance of lean mass and muscle strength for healthy aging. Creatine powders are tasteless and can be added to things like juice, coffee, protein smoothies, even yogurt! I use it daily and have noticed improvements in my performance, strength, and lean mass. You can read more about my journey with creatine as a sports dietitian here.
GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil wins the best supplement for heart health. It’s also a winner when it comes to my favorite fish oil! We’ve all heard that eating fish is beneficial for cardiovascular health. But we’re not always perfect when it comes to consuming enough of it. Health organizations recommend adults consume at least 500mg to 1000mg of EPA & DHA daily which is 4-6 servings of fatty fish per week. Given 90% of the American population does not consume enough to meet their Omega-3 needs, fish oil supplements offer an excellent alternative. Especially if prefer not to eat your fishy friends.
Fish oil provides so much more than just heart health benefits. Maintenance is your best path forward – your heart, brain, eyes, skin and joints will thank you. What’s more? Triple Strength Fish Oil is 300% more potent than regular fish oil, packed with 1,000 mg of Omega-3’s including EPA and DHA per serving. And no fishy burps with its premium enteric coating – I concur!
Honorable mention for supporting cardiovascular health goes to Coenzyme 10 – an essential component of your hearts energy producing system.
Cognitive function decline can influence social and intellectual interaction, impacting one’s quality of life. Supporting brain health and brain function can help maintain our most meaningful memories to share with family and friends. GNC’s Brain Health Formula contains brain health boosting ingredients, like choline, Ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A, and resVida® trans-Resveratrol. Clinically studied ingredients in it’s Brain Function Support Blend, Blood Flow & Circulation Support Complex, and Antioxidant Support Blend support memory function and help to preserve key neurotransmitters.
When you struggle getting your green veggies and fruits in, have faith in GNC Superfoods Vital Greens Powder. It packs 1 ½ cups of veggies per serving^ and is loaded with antioxidants when your fruit and veggies consumption just isn’t cutting it. One scoop supplies 40+ whole food nutrients, plus superfoods, adaptogenic mushrooms, probiotics, and upcycled sustainably sourced fiber. Vegan, gluten free, and Non-GMO Project Verified – talk about complete nutrition you can feel good about. Available in mango and berry flavors (my favorite), you can mix with water, shake, blend or stir into your beverage of choice.
Qualia Senolytic wins most unique supplement for longevity customers. This two-day regimen boasts support for optimized aging and youthful cellular function. The vegan, non-GMO, and gluten free formula has been clinically studied. Ingredients include some heavy hitting antioxidants from extracts of Quercefit® Quercetin Phytosome Flower, Longvida® Optimized Curcumin®, Olive Leaf, Soybean Seed, Luteolin, Milk Thistle Fruit, Piperlongumine, and Senactiv®. For best results, take Qualia Senolytic monthly.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ for short, is getting quite a bit of attention lately. NAD+ is a key metabolic intermediate that has been linked to many hallmarks of the aging process. As a metabolic messenger, NAD+ provides a link between energy status to signal appropriate cellular adaptations associated with stress. So, maintaining healthy levels of NAD+ are required for tissue homeostasis and stress response. (2)
Of course, NAD+ declines with age… we just can’t catch a break! Certain lifestyle choices and environmental exposures may speed up the cellular aging process, so being mindful of your health, eating well, and supplementing with NAD+ may provide potential benefits to help slow it down.
I’d be remiss not to call out Resveratrol, which helps to maintain cellular health and protects against free radical damage, which can damage tissue and lead to cell-aging.
Conclusion
So, what is the most promising anti-aging advice? Take care of yourself! As a dietitian, my role is to first and foremost recommend a healthy diet and exercise. Be more mindful of the foods you eat and how you move your body. Minimize stressors in your life and learn to be present. Have a positive outlook and surround yourself with the things, and people that make you happy. And, of course, Live Well.
^Based on weight and cup equivalents of fresh to dehydrated weight of vegetables and fruits.
References
- Zhao H, Song G, Zhu H, Qian H, Pan X, Song X, Xie Y, Liu C. Pharmacological Effects of Urolithin A and Its Role in Muscle Health and Performance: Current Knowledge and Prospects. Nutrients. 2023 Oct 19;15(20):4441. doi: 10.3390/nu15204441. PMID: 37892516; PMCID: PMC10609777. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10609777/
- Conlon NJ. The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Oct 1;150(4 Suppl ):41S-48S. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009673. Epub 2021 Sep 28. PMID: 36170435; PMCID: PMC9512238. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9512238/
