Aches and pains. A growing waistline. Diminishing eyesight, hearing loss, memory lapses. These are the woes of growing older for some people, once considered inevitable. But recent, exciting discoveries in the fast-growing field of longevity science have some doctors and researchers pronouncing that these symptoms of aging may one day be treatable with pharmaceuticals, gene therapies or other yet-to-be-discovered medical technologies.
Many people havent been content to wait, though. Dozens of commercial producers are selling hundreds of so-called longevity supplements right now, and sales data suggest anawful lot of peopleare trying them. But do they work? Are they even safe?
To find out, we scoured the latest research and interviewed two top scientists in the field. What we learned suggests that you may want to hold off on ordering a supply, or at least do your research very carefully.
There is a solid handful of compounds that look very promising in the scientific quest to slow the aging process. One of the most exciting is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, which has been shown to extend both the lifespans and youthful function of yeast and animals in clinical trials. Human trials are ongoing, with only a handful published to date.
NAD (also often written as NAD+) is a substance found in every cell in your body, which controls all kinds of metabolic processes, including the regulation of sirtuins, the so-called longevity genes. As you age, your NAD+ levels decline, and scientists think it is perhapsthisdecline that leads toall sortsof other age-related declines.
Also read: Should you invest in the new longevity funds?
The working theory, then, is that if we can boost our NAD+ levels as we age, we can slow our decline tremendously. Lab studies on yeast and rodentslend strong supportto that theory. The most recent studies have primarily involved the administration of either nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which is then converted into NAD in the body.
To learn more about NAD, Next Avenue talked to Dr. Shin-Ichiro Imai, professor of developmental biology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Along with Leonard Guarente, Imai discovered the link between NAD and sirtuin control in 1999. Hes been studying the molecule ever since.
There have been 10 human clinical trials using NR, most at very high dose, with no safety issues, Imai said. Most of those trials, however, lasted for a duration of weeks or months at most.
Is it safe to take NAD-boosting supplements continuously, for years?
NMN and NR have already been available in Japan and the U.S. since 2015, and some people have been taking it since then, Imai noted. Anecdotally, I havent heard of any side effects from the taking of these supplements.
Some trials, however, have recorded mild side effects including headaches, nausea, diarrhea and skin flushing.
See: 3 aging experts tell how they decided on where to grow older
More troubling, however, is the conclusion of a 2019 study that showed a possible link between elevated levels of NAD and tumor growth in isolated cells and animals. Rugang Zhang, deputy director at the nonprofit Wistar Institute Cancer Center in Philadelphia, was the lead researcher on that study.The study, published in the UK journal Nature Cell Biology, did not find that NAD causes cancer, rather that elevated levelsappeared to accelerateoncogenesis (tumor formation) already in motion.
We dont want to oversell the results of our study, Zhang said. Lots of studies in the literature have clearly demonstrated that as normal cells age, there is lower NAD. So, supplementing NAD could be beneficial. Its possible that NAD boosters could help people live longer and healthier. Were not saying that if people take NAD boosters they will get cancer. This was a very early study on mouse models, and more study is needed.
He suggests a course of action grounded in a deep preponderance of evidence: At the end of the day, we just need more knowledge, through more research. We need the scientific community to come to a consensus. The risk to potential benefit remains to be seen.
Mucking up the risk/benefit ratio further is the fact that supplements are onlyvery lightly regulatedby the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with the testing, evaluation and labeling of such products left up to manufacturers. This presents another dilemma for those considering longevity supplements: theres no sure way of knowing exactly what youre getting.
The results of the few published human clinical trials to date unequivocally show that taking NR boosts levels of NAD in the body. But apparently, more NAD doesnt translate to more youthful function.
See: There are six types of retirees which are you?
Unfortunately, those studies have not yet shown any significant efficacy, Imai said.
And thats when the substance administered is of lab-grade purity. So what about the typical supplements available online?
There are so many products out there, Imai lamented, particularly for NMN, but Im concerned about the quality.
Indeed, a 2020meta-analysisof NAD trials surmised: it seems likely that side effects linked to interventions that target NAD metabolism more likely arise from impurities rather than the supplements themselves, since this industry generally operates without rigorous control of quality and standardization.
Imais lab has evaluated a number of commercially available NAD-boosting supplements, but found only two of lab-grade purity. Imai wouldnt disclose the names of the products (both Japanese-made), as he doesnt endorse supplements. But he did note that they are extremely expensive.
Dont miss: What is the secret to aging well?
Finally, we asked someone whod taken an NAD-booster to share her experience. Kim Oberdorfer, an air-traffic controller in Oakland, Calif., wasnt impressed.
I took [a popular NR supplement] for about two months and it just gave me these dull headaches. I was having hot flashes last February, and when I told my sister Im 47, shes 53 about how horrified I was to be having them so young, she goes, Are you sure its not just a reaction to an NAD supplement? said Oberdorfer. At the time I wasnt really working out much, but my sleep schedule was really messed up and I heard it was good for that as well. I didnt think it helped at all.
Rashelle Brownis a longtime fitness professional and freelance writer with hundreds of bylines in print and online. She is a regular contributor for NextAvenue and the Active Network, and is the author of Reboot Your Body: Unlocking the Genetic Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss (Turner Publishing). Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram @RashelleBrownMN.
This article is reprinted by permission fromNextAvenue.org, 2021 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.
More from Next Avenue:
Here is the original post:
What are longevity supplements, and are they safe? - MarketWatch
- Offer Ends Soon Ready Version - The Human Longevity Project [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Human Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Careers Human Longevity, Inc. [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Is longevity determined by genetics? - Genetics Home ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Longevity claims - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2019]
- To Love and Mourn an Animal - Sentient Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Opinion: Entrepreneurs and Their Startup Businesses Need San Diegos Support - Times of San Diego [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Overthinking Can Shorten Your Life, Says New Study - International Business Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Media Advisory: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, Healthy Longevity, and Human Genome Editing Among Topics at Meeting of Nation's Top Health... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Global Longevity & Anti-Senescence Therapy Market Review 2017-2018 and Forecast to 2023 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- LyGenesis Closes $4 Million Convertible Debt Financing to Begin Clinical Development of its Liver Regeneration Technology - PRNewswire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- MicroRNA Expression Tied to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Latin America - Cancer Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Thinking deep thoughts has impact on life span - Mother Nature Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Vulnerability of the industrialized microbiota - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- What bamboo forests do for nature and human well-being - Forests News, Center for International Forestry Research [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Quorn's secret to longevity in the meat alternative sector - Food Dive [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The benefits of intermittent fasting - Starjournalnow [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- New "Monsterpocalypse" releases: Ulgoth, Apes, and Robots, Oh My! - Bleeding Cool News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The Global Human Microbiome Market Size was Worth $ 461 Million in 2018 and is Forecasted to Reach $ 1,380 Million by 2026, at a CAGR of 17.8% During... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Term limits would make Congress members put the country first | Letters - NJ.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- This Scientist Believes Aging Is Optional - Outside Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market to Witness Stellar Growth Rate in the Next 10 Years during 2023 - Crypto News Byte [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- May's turn to meet Trudeau and 'anti-Alberta' activities; In-The-News Nov. 15 - larongeNOW [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- The Future of Meat - Truthdig [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Surprising No One, The FBI's Watchdog Says The Agency Is Handling Its Informants Improperly - Techdirt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Have Researchers Finally Figured Out Whether Dogs Are Good For Us? - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Can the gut microbiome unlock the secrets of aging? - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- The disruptive power of disruption - Daily Pioneer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Missing Link To Longevity Discovered In The Plant Kingdom - Texas A&M University [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- 30-year-old Harvard study on longevity: Five daily habits to follow for a healthy living - Republic World - Republic World [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Extreme C book extract: Exploring structures and user-defined types in C - Developer Tech [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Leverates Success Task Force Scheduled to Launch Before the End of 2019 - Finance Magnates [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Partnership aims to accelerate cell and gene therapy - Harvard Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The Cost Of Underestimating The Rise Of Women: No Babies - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- What Will We Do When the Sun Gets Too Hot for Earth's Survival? - Scientific American [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Beyond Hello Kitty: The beauty of 'Animals in Japanese Art' - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - Free [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Mungo national park: where alien landscapes reveal ancient culture - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The New Face of Longevity: Dwayne Clark's Solution to America's Silver Tsunami Crisis and How Living on Stolen Potatoes Made It All Possible -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Centers Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science - Yahoo... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Zelda Was One of the Greatest Modern Writers of Religious Experience in Any Language - Mosaic [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Precision Medicine Software Market : The Report Analysis And Overview of Global Market In Term Of Size, Share, Growth And Development 2019-2024 :... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Making The Jetsons Jealous: Peter Diamandis Says The Future Is Better, And Coming Faster Than You Ever Dreamt - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The biological defects that come with age and how to prevent them - Ladders [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Global Stem Cells Market Growth Driver 2016 2024: By Companies Osiris Therapeutics Inc., STEMCELL Technologies Inc., BIOTIMEInc., Celgene Corporation... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Phishing Trends Position ISPs to Protect Subscribers - Security Boulevard [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market: Market Development, Overview and Forecast up to 2023 - Statsflash [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The pain of a failed investment can be the best teacher of all - Financial Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Were all going to die: Alarmists in our midst - Daily Maverick [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- 12 Powerful Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices with Health Benefits - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Employee Engagement: Everything You Need to Know - HR Exchange Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Wherever The Human Heart Beats @ Alma Tavern - Epigram [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Fermenting the future of healthy aging - SynBioBeta [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Center's Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE UK [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Frankenstein vs. The Wolfman: Who Would Win (And Why) - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- How do consumer DNA tests from the US and China stack up? - Abacus [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Scott LaFee: Don't Think Too Hard About This - Noozhawk [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Lewis Hamilton is not only a peerless champion, he is the face of F1 - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Recent deaths at Dallas Zoo have seemed notable but aren't out of the ordinary - The Dallas Morning News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Ruth Wishart on Kenneth Roy's diary of living and dying - HeraldScotland [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- This Marketing Agency Wants To Put The Pleasure Back Into The Sex Tech Business - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- The 1975 Played a Greta Thunberg Speech During Their Grand Prairie Concert - Dallas Observer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Global Warming Is Escalating The El Nio Weather - Science Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Turkey is a leading NATO member. Its time this commitment was recognised, not criticised View - Euronews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- National Spotlight on Ikarian Honey on CBS Sunday Morning News - The Pappas Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Commentary: We need a major redesign of life - Bend Bulletin [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- How Bitcoin points to the future of decentralized protest - Decrypt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Pollution woes add to our ongoing survival struggle - Tehelka [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Three reasons women live longer than men - Firstpost [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Gail Fisher's 'Dog Tracks': Spoiling you dog with extra food could cut short its life - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- The L Word: Nobody Rocks a Power Suit and Cufflinks Like Jennifer Beals - IndieWire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Cycling Without Age Gives Seniors Access to Biking in Cities Around the Globe - Next City [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market 2018 Overview, Consumption, Supply, Demand & Insights - Downey Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- OU voice students learn about the importance of vocal health - 2019 - School of Music, Theatre and Dance - News - OU Magazine - News at OU [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Purdue taking part in life-long study of dogs health and aging - WTHR [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]