7 Best Supplements That Reverse Aging

Aging looks like many different things, however it is crucial to attack it on a cellular level and treat the body and mind as a whole to reverse aging. Wellness is more than just physical fitness; it is about being happy with who you are and your impact on this world.

This list of the best supplements that reverse aging will guide you on your journey to living your best life and being the best version of yourself that you aim to be. 

Doing our best to age gracefully

While we definitely can’t stop aging from happening we can certainy do our part to slow it down and reverse some aspects of aging.

(Side note from Iva) As I am nearing 60 (this September) I have started making changes to my diet and my skin care routine that have helped me fight the aging demons! While I truly believe this list of supplements that reverse aging are fantastic, it’s important to also take care of yourself in other ways too.

Quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol and watching the foods you eat also play a huge role in your health and aging. Just some food for thought!

(this post contains affiliate links so if you make a purchase I may make a small commission-affiliate disclosure here)

Supplements that Reverse Aging

Here is the list of supplements that reverse aging. Please always check with your doctor or health care practitioner before introducing new vitamins, supplements or minerals into your daily diet.

1. Collagen

There are 28 different types of collagen; the more common types: are I, II, III, V, and X. Collagen I and III are for complexion and muscles, and type II is for joint health. However, they are all beneficial in improving muscle strength, just like whey or plant protein.

The additional benefit of collagen is that it helps with gut health, and it improves joint health even though most protein powders are for muscle health; as you age, joints are more of a concern, therefore increasing your collagen consumption and production can be very important to minimize deterioration.

Vitamin C also increases collagen production and wound healing.

A study utilized acetaminophen with collagen II, and the individuals that took both had significantly decreased symptoms of osteoarthritis. Although the study was done with acetaminophen, a natural alternative would be DLPA or turmeric. They are more beneficial for gut health and naturally reduce pain and inflammation. 

2. 5-HTP

Depression is a significant concern for aging adults, especially with decreased exercise and time spent indoors. Over 34 million adults over age 65 suffer from depression, and only 3% of those individuals receive treatment for their mental health. 

5-HTP is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, low in individuals suffering from a depressive disorder. 5-HTP is a form of tryptophan that does not compete with other amino acids when absorbed. Whereas tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, it has to be taken separately from other proteins, so it does not compete with more potent amino acids. 

80-90% of serotonin comes from the gut, so it is imperative to take care of your gut health. 

Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a way to help you be aware of the positivity in your life you may be overlooking, and it is similar to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. This is where you allow yourself to soak in the present things you have to look forward to and live in the moment. Despite what is going on, you are drowning out the noise and focusing on how you feel currently. 

3. Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral, and it necessary for over 300 different processes in our bodies, including

• bone creation,
• natural muscle relaxer,
• blood pressure,
• sleep,
• hydration,
• anxiety,
• blood sugar, and more.

In addition, magnesium comes in various forms, which means it is bound to different amino acids for other purposes.

Magnesium threonate is magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier and can be helpful for cognitive function, memory, headaches, and more. 

Magnesium improves bone density by working alongside vitamin D, K, and calcium to remove calcium from the bloodstream and place it into bones. This is why it is not beneficial to take just a calcium supplement alone if you are trying to improve your DEXA scan results.

4. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are your main sex hormones, and both men and women have all three of them but in different quantities. Hormones play a significant role in energy levels, bone density, insomnia, temperature, mood, endurance, etc. 

BHRT or Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is typically done with an integrative or holistic doctor. However, you can find topical creams that separately increase testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. 

Supplementing with a pregnenolone cream can increase your estrogen production, which declines significantly as you age and even more rapidly after menopause for women. Men begin decreasing testosterone levels in their 20s and 30s; by the time they are in their 70s, they do not have deficient testosterone levels as low as only 25% of what they had when they were younger. 

You can supplement with progesterone creams and testosterone creams or supplements. These testosterone supplements decrease the amount of testosterone in your body that converts to estrogen, contributing to male pattern baldness, muscle loss, etc. 

Progesterone and pregnenolone creams are absorbed through your skin and can bypass the liver since they are not being digested. 

5. Omega-3s

Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of fat found in fish oil, small amounts in grass-fed dairy, and some algae. 

Omega 3s are a popular anti-aging supplement because of their long list of benefits, here are just a few:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Increase Memory
• Blood Thinners
• Blood Pressure Support
• Pain
• Wound Healing
• Heart Health

Omega-3s are an essential part of your diet to help counteract the high amount of omega-6s consumed daily from vegetable oils and certain processed foods. 

6. Antioxidants

EGCG is an antioxidant found in green tea, and it is heart-protective, just like carotenoids are beneficial for eye health and come from carrots. Many different plants contain antioxidants that help reverse aging on a cellular level. Antioxidants counteract the oxidative stress we accrue from normal bodily processes in addition to environmental toxins and stress.

Stress has such a significant impact on our bodies, and the fact is that we will never be without stress; we just have to learn how to deal with it better!

Antioxidants are in many different foods, and there is a variety of antioxidants that help decrease inflammation, protect your cognitive function and help to reverse signs of aging. 

7. Saw Palmetto Extract

Bladder control may be an issue that ruins your day; Saw Palmetto Extract improves urinary dysfunction in men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It does not interact with most prescription drugs, and it is not reported to have any side effects. (Suzuki et al., 2009) It can be purchased at your local health food store in a soft gel or capsule form.

Saw Palmetto also has antiandrogenic effects that help prevent testosterone from converting to DHT via the 5a-reductase enzyme. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is responsible for male-patterned baldness in men and women, hirsutism (facial hair growth in women), and it can contribute to sexual dysfunction in men. 

In Summary

Many different natural supplements and foods help slow the process of aging and help eliminate some unwanted symptoms. Although aging may seem like a negative thing for some, there are many things you can do to enjoy every moment of life.

Combining healthy lifestyle choices, supplementation, and challenging yourself to see the good in life and laugh as much as possible will make aging seem a breeze. This list of the best supplements that reverse aging is an excellent start to holistically improving your health (targeting many different aspects). 

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.” ~George Bernard Shaw

Author Bio: Megan Santiago is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in training. She runs her blog Holistic-Momma.com, teaching readers about natural ways to cope with their mental health. Megan has worked in the natural health industry for many years and is integrating that with her education in mental health. She has also coped with her anxiety naturally, and she loves teaching others how to do the same. 

References:

Bakilan, F., Armagan, O., Ozgen, M., Tascioglu, F., Bolluk, O., & Alatas, O. (2016). Effects of Native Type II Collagen Treatment on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Eurasian journal of medicine, 48(2), 95–101. https://doi.org/10.5152/eurasianjmed.2015.15030

Suzuki, M., Ito, Y., Fujino, T., Abe, M., Umegaki, K., Onoue, S., Noguchi, H., & Yamada, S. (2009). Pharmacological effects of saw palmetto extract in the lower urinary tract. Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 30(3), 227–281. https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2009.1