Latest Anti-aging Information from Mayo Clinic
Anti-aging therapies: Youth in a bottle?
You feel 25, but your body keeps reminding you you're not. You tire easily.
Your knees hurt. The only part of you that's thinning is your hair.
You wonder about those anti-aging products you see advertised. Can they really
slow down or even stop the aging process? When evaluating claims made about
such remedies, some old advice is good advice — if it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is.
Anti-aging hype
People have been searching for the fountain of youth for ages. And the lure of
advertisements for anti-aging products can be hard to resist. Who wouldn't want
to look and feel years younger simply by taking a pill?
But researchers have learned that aging is an intricate, complex process that
involves many areas of your body. It's unlikely that a product, pill or potion
could cure all of the ills age can bring.
Certain strategies can help. These include:
Exercising your mind
Exercising your body
Following a healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy weight
Taking good care of yourself
Seeking prompt treatment when you're ill or injured
Using sunscreen
Not smoking
Avoiding secondhand smoke
If you smoke, quitting can be your most valuable ally in the fight against
aging. Smoking damages your body in multiple ways. Not only can it cut your
life short by harming your heart, lungs and blood vessels, but it can also
increase wrinkles and tend to make you look older along the way. Leading a
smoke-free existence may be the most effective way you can prevent premature
aging and death.
Stop Smoking Program
If you want healthy-looking skin, don't spend long periods of time in the sun
without covering up or wearing sunscreen. Sun exposure causes wrinkles and age
spots. It can also cause life-threatening melanoma and other skin cancers.
How to stay safe in the sun
But what about all of the anti-aging remedies advertised today? Here's an
overview of some of the most popular products.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes that protect your body
by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of your cells'
normal metabolism. They're believed to contribute to age-related changes and
certain diseases.
Antioxidant supplements touted to fight age-related diseases include:
Vitamin A and beta carotene. Supplements of beta carotene, which is converted
into vitamin A in your body, likely offer no protection against cardiovascular
disease. And if you smoke, taking beta carotene supplements may increase your
risk of lung cancer. If you're interested in increasing your intake of vitamin
A or beta carotene, you're probably better off eating more red and yellow
vegetables than taking supplements. Too much can increase your risk of
osteoporosis.
Beta carotene
Vitamin C. Studies have shown that people who eat diets high in vitamin C,
found mainly in citrus fruits, have lower rates of cancer and heart disease.
However, it's unclear whether taking vitamin C supplements has similar
benefits. Eating more citrus fruits and drinking more citrus juices may be a
more reasonable approach than taking supplements.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin E. Vitamin E may protect against cancer, infertility and cataracts and
slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Selenium. This antioxidant mineral is found primarily in seafood and liver. It
may help prevent cancer. However, excessive amounts may cause hair and nail
loss. More research is needed.
Selenium
Coenzyme Q-10. This antioxidant is produced by your body. It has many dietary
sources, including meat and seafood. Claims that it can slow aging and stop the
spread of cancer are unproved. However, it may hold promise as a treatment for
congestive heart failure.
Certain B complex vitamins. Vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid have been shown
to work together to reduce blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid normally
found in your body that, in excess levels, has been linked to an increased risk
of cardiovascular disease. Work is under way to determine if lowering your
homocysteine level will lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and related
diseases.
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)
Folic acid/folate (vitamin B-9)
Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin)
Homocysteine: Too much may hurt your heart
In addition to these antioxidants, you may also hear claims about the benefits
of coral calcium. Coral calcium is a fossilized coral mineral powder harvested
from coral reef mineral beds. It's also sold as a calcium and mineral
supplement. No medical evidence supports any health claims made about coral
calcium.
Although studies of some antioxidants are promising, use caution. It's not
clear yet if taking antioxidant supplements is safe in the long term. For now,
a better alternative is to eat more antioxidant-rich foods, such as fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Hormones
Hormones are chemicals made by your body to regulate the activities of vital
organs. Because hormone levels decline with age, some scientists speculate that
hormones may play a role in the aging process. According to proponents of
hormone products, you can set back your body's clock by restoring your hormone
levels to those of your youth. Supplements include:
DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (de-hi-dro-ep-e-an-DROS-tur-own), or DHEA, is
converted by your body into the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. DHEA
levels decrease as you age.
DHEA is sold over the counter. Proponents say it slows aging, increases muscle
and bone strength, burns fat, improves cognition, bolsters immunity, and
protects against many chronic diseases.
However, no evidence has been found to prove that DHEA supplements do any of
these. Although mice treated with DHEA do tend to act younger, that doesn't
mean the same thing happens in humans.
More troubling, DHEA may have harmful side effects. Even when taken briefly, it
may aggravate existing liver problems. It may also cause certain cancers,
unwanted facial hair and an increased risk of high blood pressure.
DHEA was banned in 1985 by the Food and Drug Administration before it
reappeared as an unregulated dietary supplement.
Does DHEA live up to the hype?
Testosterone. Declining levels of this male sex hormone have been linked with
common complaints of aging, such as decreased energy and sex drive. Anti-aging
enthusiasts say increasing your level of testosterone by prescription — often
beyond the normal range of testosterone in your body — will improve your
energy, well-being, complexion and sex drive. Such claims remain unproved. In
high doses testosterone can result in prostate problems, elevated cholesterol
and fertility problems.
Women and testosterone: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist
Melatonin. This hormone is produced in the brain. It helps regulate sleep and
holds promise as a remedy for insomnia and jet lag. But claims that melatonin,
also a type of antioxidant, can slow or reverse aging, fight cancer and enhance
sexuality are far from proved. Supplements sold in stores typically contain
many times the melatonin produced by your body. If taken improperly, melatonin
can actually disrupt your sleep cycle.
Human growth hormone (HGH). This hormone, responsible for growth spurts in
children, tapers off after adolescence. Proponents say injections of HGH,
available by prescription, burn fat, build muscle and renew energy. Some
studies do suggest some benefit from HGH. However, these studies have been
small, and most doctors say it's too early to draw solid conclusions from them.
Possible side effects include fluid retention, joint pain and high blood
pressure.
Growth hormone to prevent aging: Is it a good idea?
Hormone replacement therapy. For women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may
slow bone loss, restore vaginal lubrication and maintain skin tone. But HRT may
also increase your risk of blood clots, heart disease, heart attack and breast
cancer.
The latest on hormone replacement therapy: An interview with a Mayo Clinic
specialist
Hormone replacement therapy: Who should take it and what are the alternatives?
Safety not guaranteed
The safety of anti-aging supplements isn't guaranteed. In 1994, Congress passed
the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. This act removed dietary
supplements from the pre-market safety evaluations required of foods and drugs.
However, products can be withdrawn later if a problem is found.
In addition, you can't be sure of product purity or the amount of active
ingredient in any given supplement — even from one package to the next of the
same product. The bottom line is buyer beware.
Should you take supplements?
Using vitamin and mineral supplements wisely
No short cut
Despite tempting claims, no product is proved to prevent or reverse aging. In
addition, many have potentially dangerous side effects. If you're considering
an anti-aging product or you're concerned that you may have a hormone
deficiency, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you decide whether the
potential benefits of a product outweigh any risks.
-I was surprised that no one even commented that these recommendations are
exactly what we have known for decades. And, people still aren't following
this simple rules, but expecting the health care system to fix it when they
don't.
-They are good suggestions, but even people who follow
them diligently get sick, have accidents, and need preventive
interaction with the health care system. Especially when one gets
old enough bad things tend to happen. Once you begin blaming the
individual for getting sick, you are on a slippery slope. Because we
just don't know how to prevent a huge number of diseases. You
could acquire one of them tomorrow.