Research Area: Aging
42 ingredients studied for effects on Aging — sorted by research relevance.
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Rapamycin is the best-supported longevity drug in animal studies, but it is prescription-only and not approved for anti-aging use in humans.
Spermidine
Natural polyamine from wheat germ and legumes. Robustly induces autophagy in cell and animal models; early human trials show positive signals for cognition and heart function.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with antioxidant and senolytic potential. Human senolytic evidence is limited to tiny pilot studies using Dasatinib+Quercetin combined — not quercetin alone.
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
NAC is a glutathione precursor with established medical use. As a longevity supplement (especially as GlyNAC), early human data is promising but limited.
Omega-3 (EPA + DHA)
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) are among the most thoroughly studied supplements. Evidence is strong for triglycerides and high-risk cardiovascular patients; smaller for healthy individuals.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and other normal body functions, with approved EFSA claims. Megadoses show no clear benefit beyond adequate intake.
Folsäure (Vitamin B9)
Essential B-vitamin for DNA synthesis, cell division, and homocysteine metabolism. Strong evidence for neural tube defect prevention in pregnancy. L-methylfolate benefits MTHFR carriers.
Taurin
Taurine is an amino acid with a central role in energy metabolism. Animal and observational data have sparked aging research interest; robust human evidence is far more limited.
Fisetin
Fisetin is a flavonoid senolytic that clears senescent ('zombie') cells in animal studies. Human trials are ongoing; robust clinical evidence is still lacking.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic adaptogen backed by multiple RCTs for stress and cortisol reduction. Sleep and testosterone effects are promising but come from small studies.
EGCG (Grüntee-Extrakt)
EGCG is green tea's most abundant catechin, studied for metabolism and cellular protection. High-dose supplements carry documented liver toxicity risks.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism. Deficiency is common in vegans, older adults, and metformin users and causes irreversible nerve damage.
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan)
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) is an adaptogenic herb from Southeast Asia that activates AMPK like metformin, and is associated with longevity in Chinese populations.
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Edible mushroom with active compounds (hericenones, erinacines) that stimulate NGF and BDNF synthesis. Early RCTs in MCI and anxiety show positive signals — evidence remains preliminary.
Beta-Alanin
Beta-alanine elevates muscle carnosine and improves high-intensity exercise performance in 60–240-second efforts; it's a sports tool, not a longevity supplement.
L-Citrullin
L-citrulline may boost nitric oxide production and is linked in studies to improved blood flow and endurance performance during physical exertion.
Astragalus
Astragalus is traditionally positioned for immunity and longevity, but modern human evidence for these claims is quite thin.
Reishi
Reishi is among the most famous medicinal mushrooms. The immune support and longevity narrative is compelling, but human evidence remains limited.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms with strain-specific effects. Strong evidence for antibiotic diarrhea and IBS; product quality varies dramatically.
Caffeine
The world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Hundreds of RCTs confirm effects on alertness, reaction time, endurance, and short-term cognition.
Zinc
Zinc is involved in hundreds of enzymes and is essential for immune function, DNA repair, and hormone synthesis. Low intake is not uncommon in older adults and vegans.
Alpha-Liponsäure (R-ALA)
Mitochondrial antioxidant with dual water/fat solubility. R-form significantly more bioavailable than racemic mixture. Evidence strongest for diabetic neuropathy.
Resveratrol
Known for sirtuin activation in animal models. Poor oral bioavailability (<1% free form) translates poorly to humans; a 2026 umbrella review found no convincing metabolic effects even in diabetics.
Creatine (Creatine Monohydrate)
Creatine is one of the most thoroughly studied supplements for high-intensity muscular work. The strongest evidence is from strength and power sports; further applications are still being explored.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Low intake is common. The form significantly affects bioavailability and tolerability.
Trehalose
Trehalose is a natural disaccharide investigated for autophagy activation in animal models. Human evidence is limited, but early data suggest metabolic benefits.
L-Theanine
L-theanine promotes relaxed alertness via alpha-wave activation. Best evidence for caffeine synergy; moderate effects on stress markers. Alone, cognitive benefits are limited.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is well supported for bone, muscle, and immune function when deficiency is confirmed. Without deficiency, additional benefit is significantly weaker — not a universal upgrade.
Glutathion
Glutathione is the body's most celebrated antioxidant. As a supplement, the evidence is far less impressive than its reputation.
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+. Animal studies are promising — robust human trials are still lacking, and the EU regulatory status is unclear.
Betain (Trimethylglycin)
Betaine is a natural methyl donor that lowers homocysteine and shows modest strength gains in some studies, but evidence is inconsistent and limited.
Vitamin A
Essential for vision, skin, and immune function. Clearly useful for deficiency, but high doses are toxic—especially in pregnancy.
Curcumin (Turmeric Extract)
Curcumin modulates inflammatory and oxidative pathways; moderate effects on CRP, IL-6, and joint pain—but only with enhanced formulations. Bioavailability is the limiting factor.
Hyaluronsäure
Endogenous glycosaminoglycan with high water-binding capacity. Multiple RCTs demonstrate moderate effects on skin hydration and wrinkle reduction; oral joint data weaker.
Urolithin A
Urolithin A is a gut microbiome metabolite from pomegranate polyphenols, emerging in aging research as a mitophagy inducer.
Acetyl-L-Carnitin
ALCAR is the brain-accessible form of carnitine popular in cognitive and healthy aging stacks, but evidence is solid rather than remarkable.
Alpha-Ketoglutarat (AKG)
AKG is popular in healthy aging circles, especially as Ca-AKG, but human evidence for anti-aging effects remains extremely limited.
Jod
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormones and cognitive development. Germany faces structural deficiency despite salt iodization. EFSA-approved claims.
L-Tyrosin
L-Tyrosin is an amino acid precursor of dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Studies show cognitive benefits under acute stress and sleep deprivation.
Lactobacillus reuteri
Strain-specific probiotic with RCT evidence for bone health in older women. Reduced bone loss by ~50% over 12 months.
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol / Ubiquinone)
CoQ10 reduces mortality in heart failure (Q-SYMBIO); relieves statin-induced muscle pain. In healthy individuals without heart disease, benefits are unproven.
Multivitamin
Multivitamins are the world's best-selling supplements. Evidence for health benefits in well-nourished individuals is surprisingly weak.