Longevity in a Pill? 6 Supplements Longevity Scientists Are Actually Taking
Inside the science-backed supplement stacks of experts chasing extra years of vitality đ§Ź
I think youâve seen the headlinesâpills that promise extra years of life. But what are real longevity scientists actually putting in their bodies? Not the snake-oil stuff. These are smart, well-researched supplements that might just help you age better. Iâve dug into interviews, studies, podcasts, and expert routines from the past six months to bring you six legit contenders. Prepare for some hopeful scienceâand a dash of skepticism.
1. NMN & the NADâș Boosters
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is the precursor to NADâșâa key cellular energy coenzyme that fades with age. Top researchers, most notably Harvardâs Dr. David Sinclair, take ~1âŻg daily to sustain NADâș levels, supporting DNA repair, mitochondrial health, and metabolism.
Yes, itâs trendingâbiohackers and celebs like Hailey Bieber are onboardâbut scientists caution that long-term human data is still evolving. Still, proponents say oral NMN raises NADâș levels effectively.
2. Omegaâ3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
Omegaâ3sâespecially DHA and EPAâare nearly universal in longevity regimens. Estonian biohacker Siim Land takes 2â3âŻg/day, noting benefits for inflammation, brain health, and cardiovascular protection.
DOâHEALTH, a large European study, reports that omegaâ3 supplementation reduced "biological age" by ~4 months over three years, plus fewer infections and falls.
Plus, the Harvard VITALâtelomere study highlights vitaminâŻDâs telomere-protective roleâbut omegaâ3 itself didnât affect telomere length, making vitaminâŻD a smart add-on.
3. Creatine: Not Just for Gym Bros
Hereâs one that surprises many: creatine. Once strictly a muscle-builder, itâs now emerging for brain health, mood stability, heart support, and possible protection against Alzheimerâs disease.
Affordable (about âŹ0.50 per serving) and safe, scientists are increasingly recommending itâeven beyond resistance trainingâfor aging well.
4. Taurine
Taurine, a humble amino acid, is having its moment. In mice, a single daily dose extended lifespan by ~10â12%âthatâs equivalent to roughly seven to eight human years.
Dr. Sinclair recently added 2âŻg/day to his stack, citing mitochondrial and heart health benefits.
Thatâs pretty striking for a compound youâve probably heard in energy drinks.
5. Vitamin D (Plus Kâ)
Emerging science shows vitaminâŻDâ slows telomere shorteningâapproximately three yearsâ worth over four years.
Sinclair incorporates 4,000â5,000âŻIU/day alongside vitaminâŻKâ to direct calcium to bones and prevent arterial calcification.
Pro tip: get your levels tested before starting megadoses; more isnât always better.
6. Senolytics: Fisetin (with a side of resveratrol)
Senescent cells accumulate with age, and compounds like fisetin (a flavonol) help clear them out. Dr. Sinclair takes 500âŻmg/day, citing clear evidence of reduced senescent cell burden in animal studies.
Resveratrol (1âŻg/day) makes an encore too, activating sirtuinsâthough Sinclair seems to have phased out quercetin for safety reasons.
Bonus Mention: Metformin & Rapamycin
These are prescription drugs (originally for diabetes and transplant patients) now being explored as âsuper supplements.â
Sinclair includes metformin (~800â1,000âŻmg)âa fasting mimicâin his stack. Rapamycin, another mTOR inhibitor, is discussed cautiously: lots of promise, but potential immune side effects.
Not to mention Bryan Johnson tried rapamycin but stopped after side effects emerged. Definitely talk to your doctor before considering these.
đ§ Summary Table: What Scientists Are Taking
Supplement: Dose (approx.) / Top Benefit
NMN (NADâș precursor): ~1 g/day / Energy, DNA repair, metabolism
Omegaâ3 (EPA/DHA): 2â3 g/day / Inflammation, brain & heart health
Creatine: 3â5 g/day / Brain, muscle, mood, heart
Taurine: 2 g/day / Mitochondrial & cardiovascular
VitaminâŻDâ + Kâ: 4,000â5,000 IU + 180â360 ÎŒg / Telomeres, bone health, heart
Fisetin: 500 mg/day / Clears senescent cells
Metformin & Rapamycin*: Rx doses / Fasting mimic, autophagy
*Prescription only; consult a physician.
Also read: 5 Longevity Supplements That Arenât Snake Oil (And What Science Says)
Why It Matters
You're not chasing immortality. But optimizing your biology? Thatâs reachable.
Most of these supplements support fundamental aging mechanisms: inflammation, cellular clean-up, energy balance. And unlike some overhyped products, these have real studies behind them.
Important Caveats
đ§Ș Human data varyâmany animal studies havenât fully translated.
Interactions matterâdonât mix metformin or rapamycin without medical oversight.
Testing is keyâmonitor nutrient levels and health markers over time.
Take Action with Wisdom
Start simpleâthink omegaâ3, vitaminâŻDâ + Kâ, creatine.
Add NMN or taurine when your foundation is solid.
Cycle senolytics like fisetin monthly, not daily.
Consult your doctor before any drugs or prescription analogues.
Final Thoughts
Soâlongevity in a pill? Probably not. But a thoughtfully stacked supplement regimen, grounded in science, just might help you live healthier longer.
Got questions about dosages, cycling, or combinations? Drop a commentâIâd love to explore with you đŹ.
Curious about dosing strategies? Letâs dive deeper.