Current Research: Latest Scientific Discoveries About Anti-Aging Supplements

The field of anti-aging supplement research has advanced rapidly, with several compounds showing promising results in human clinical trials. However, the quality and scope of research varies significantly between different compounds.

NAD+ Precursor Research: Clinical trials of NAD+ precursors have shown increasingly promising results. A 2024 study of NMN in healthy older adults found improvements in walking speed, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity after 12 weeks of supplementation. Biomarker studies showed increased NAD+ levels in blood and improved cellular energy metabolism.

Long-term studies are revealing that NAD+ precursor benefits may be sustained over time. A 2025 study following participants for two years found continued benefits in cardiovascular function and cognitive performance, suggesting that NAD+ enhancement doesn't lead to tolerance or diminishing returns.

Research is also revealing optimal dosing strategies. Studies suggest that 250-500mg daily of NR or 500-1000mg daily of NMN may be effective, though individual variation in response is significant.

Resveratrol and Beyond: While early resveratrol studies showed mixed results, newer research using higher doses and improved formulations has been more promising. A 2024 clinical trial using 1000mg daily of resveratrol for one year found improvements in insulin sensitivity and reductions in inflammatory markers.

However, research has shifted toward other polyphenols that may be more potent or bioavailable. Pterostilbene, a resveratrol analog, shows better bioavailability and may provide superior benefits. Curcumin, particularly in enhanced-absorption formulations, has shown anti-inflammatory and potential anti-aging effects in multiple clinical trials.

Spermidine Studies: Human studies of spermidine supplementation have shown promising results for cardiovascular health and cognitive function. A 2024 randomized controlled trial found that spermidine supplementation improved memory performance and reduced age-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

Animal studies suggest that spermidine may extend lifespan, though human longevity studies are obviously not yet available. The mechanism appears to involve enhanced autophagy and improved cellular quality control.

Mitochondrial Supplements: Research on CoQ10 has been mixed, with benefits most apparent in individuals with existing deficiencies or specific health conditions. However, newer formulations using ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) may provide better bioavailability and more consistent benefits.

PQQ research in humans is limited but promising. Small studies have suggested benefits for cognitive function and energy metabolism, though larger trials are needed to confirm these effects.

Combination Approaches: Increasingly, researchers are studying combinations of supplements rather than individual compounds. The rationale is that aging involves multiple pathways, and combination approaches may provide synergistic benefits.

A 2024 study testing a combination of NMN, resveratrol, and alpha-lipoic acid found greater improvements in aging biomarkers than any single compound alone, suggesting that multi-target approaches may be more effective.

Biomarker Studies: Advanced research is using sophisticated biomarkers to assess supplement effects on aging processes. Studies using epigenetic age clocks, telomere length measurements, and comprehensive metabolomic analysis are providing more precise measures of anti-aging effects than traditional health outcomes alone.