The question of lengthening one’s lifespan has plagued mankind since time immemorial. Recently, longevity supplements have been touted as the solution to reverse aging, but do they work as claimed?
Many people have used longevity supplements to reverse aging and boost their lifespan; an equal number have failed miserably. So, how do you extend your lifespan with longevity supplements? Find out below.
Understanding The Science Behind Longevity Supplements
For the longest time, the supposed “fountain of youth” has remained highly elusive. However, scientists now claim to have the answer in the form of the best longevity supplements. Still, not all longevity-boosting supplements are what they claim to be.
The booming demand for longevity supplements has also attracted the attention of criminals who now sell phony longevity supplements. With no way to prove or disprove the efficacy of their supplements, these fraudsters get away with it easily.
So, how do longevity supplements work, and should you take them? First, you need to understand the aging process.
With the current body of knowledge, we know aging occurs on four main fronts: tissue, cellular, organ, and DNA. As we age, a certain element in our DNA known as telomeres begins to shorten.
Telomeres are components that protect DNA from disintegration, and as they shorten, this leads to genetic instability. This ultimately results in impaired immune function, the eruption of age-related diseases, senescence, and even tumors.
Telomere shortening is a natural process, but with the help of certain longevity supplements, you can limit the process and, in some cases, reverse it. On metabolism, the body’s ability to digest food effectively and even absorb nutrients reduces with advancement in age. Due to this, the body is deprived of nutrients necessary for optimal functioning.
Fortunately, you can remedy this shortage by supplementing with additional nutrients. One downside is that some of the supplements touted as “nutrition boosters” come in a form that the body doesn’t absorb quickly. Hence, you may not get as much benefit from them as you should get.
On the cellular front, as we age, the rate at which cells replicate themselves degrades from the optimum level. This results in senescence, when there’s a slow down or permanent end to growth in the body. The ideal scenario is when the body sheds and replaces old and damaged cells with new ones.
When the body doesn’t grow, decline follows soon after, and this is what you need to prevent or even reverse for longevity. Next after the cellular level is the tissue level. Due to age, cells fail to group and specialize themselves into appropriate tissues at this stage. So, the body may not repair damaged or worn-out tissues as effectively in old age.
The organ level is where the true effects of aging begin to manifest themselves. Unfortunately, when it comes to this, there are very limited options to reverse the situation. Still, with a holistic approach, not all is lost. Aging at the organ level can be seen as increased vulnerability or frailty.
Longevity supplements aim to be the alternative source of whatever the body is missing. This way, the body can, with the aid of the supplements, perform at optimum levels. In addition to other holistic health practices, this can contribute to a significant reduction in the aging process and, in some cases, even reverse it.
The Best Longevity Supplements To Boost Your Lifespan
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to the best longevity supplements. Everyone is different, and the approach with the best outcome is to tailor a solution for each person based on their body’s needs.
These longevity supplements fall into three major categories. Here’s a quick look at the longevity supplements you need to boost your lifespan.
1. Energy Boosters
Mitochondria, the body’s energy powerhouse, tends to become less effective with age. By supplementing with the right nutrients and enzymes, you can get your mitochondria to roar back to the same efficiency level it was when you were younger. This translates to more energy on your part and less fatigue executing daily tasks.
2. Cell Enhancing Supplements
In its natural cycle, each cell in the body encounters free radicals, which damage cell functionality. Similarly, each cell replication damages the DNA, particularly the telomeres, responsible for preserving its integrity and protecting it from any damage or alteration.
Supplements that directly introduce or promote the production of CoQ antioxidants or Lithium supplements can help stop or reverse this trend.
3. Cell Recyclers
Another less-mentioned factor contributing to aging is accumulating damaged or dead cells and tissue. Over time, this can turn into tumors, also accelerating aging. This is still an area that’s under research, but the two go hand in hand.
Autophagy is the cell’s natural recycling process and removing damaged or dead components that degrade with age. Using supplements like rapamycin, you can restore your body’s autophagy function to its optimal state.
4. Nutrient Supplements
The body depends on certain nutrients to manufacture activators and enzymes critical for keeping the body young and youthful. As mentioned earlier, the body’s ability to absorb crucial nutrients reduces with age. Depending on your body’s needs, you may take vitamin D and magnesium nutrients, among others.
Bottom Line
Even though they present an exciting prospect, there’s more to longevity supplements and using them to boost your lifespan. The first step is to understand your body’s needs. This means you need to work with specialists who are better informed to determine what you require.
After getting the longevity supplements your body needs, you must embrace a holistic lifestyle. Minor changes to your lifestyle, like getting enough sleep, proper hydration, or exercising regularly, can lead to even better outcomes.
