When we hear the term anti-aging, we tend to picture fancy glass jars of night creams and expensive skin serums.
We imagine tackling the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and UV-related pigmentation. But there’s a flip side to aging that doesn’t get quite as much attention. Specifically, the inside.
Aging isn’t just what you see on the surface.
In fact, how we’re aging and caring for our bodies on the inside is arguably much more important than fighting wrinkles and sunspots.
That’s because the strength of our bones and the functionality of our organs and circulatory system is the real engine that keeps us going throughout our lives.
Thanks in large part to those airbrushed magazine covers we pass in the grocery store checkout lines, society has convinced us to focus only on the visible signs of aging.
But supporting your body from the inside out is what helps us feel youthful longer, and it naturally leads to positive benefits on the outside, too!
Rather than focusing on lotions and creams, it’s supporting our bodies at the core level that offers the most benefits as we age. Ready to learn more about the most impactful anti-aging supplements?
Why Supporting Anti-Aging from Within is Important
When we’re young, our physical abilities are the last thing on our minds. We’re climbing trees, running, jumping, swimming, you name it.
When an injury slows us down, we know it’s just a matter of time until our body heals and we’re back on our feet again. That’s the beauty of being young, healthy, and able-bodied.
Things change, however, as our bodies age. Blood vessels and arteries begin to stiffen and your heart has to work harder to pump blood. Bone density decreases making us more susceptible to breaks.
Aging cells means that healing takes longer, and it leaves us more prone to infection [1]. We lose muscle mass and our metabolism starts slowing down, making it harder to shed excess weight.
These changes are facts of life.
But, there are things we can do to put our bodies in better positions to handle the changes that aging brings. There are lifestyle changes that can help limit how susceptible we are to injury and disease.
Science has also identified natural allies that can help reinforce our physical and cognitive resilience.
5 Tips to Keep Your Body Healthy as You Age
It’s the cumulative effect of your everyday habits that will provide the biggest benefits when it comes to overall health.
For most of us, recommendations like getting exercise and eating right aren’t new information. But when you dig deeper and discover the long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to see the bigger picture and make good choices.
What matters is the why, and here’s what you need to know.
Follow a healthy, nutrient-dense diet
Your diet should be full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
In one study, researchers found that if a 60 year old changed from the typical American diet to an optimal diet, they could increase their life expectancy by eight years [2]. An 80-year-old could add 3.5 years to their life by adopting a healthier diet [2].
Move your body daily.
If rigorous workouts aren’t your thing, opt for a daily walk. One study found that adults 40 and older who took at least 8,000 steps a day had a 51% lower risk of death from all causes [3].
Quit smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
Studies have demonstrated that smoking and smoke exposure decrease telomere cell length, potentially causing physical aging to occur more rapidly [4].
Get adequate sleep.
Your body needs time to rest and recharge, but sleep is also necessary for your cognitive function.
Studies have also shown that proper sleep helps stabilize your mood and problem-solve [5]. Quality sleep has also been linked to a lower buildup of beta-amyloid, the plaque protein associated with Alzheimer’s [6].
Limit your alcohol intake.
Studies suggest that alcohol causes oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, damaging healthy cells [7]. But there may be some health benefits to drinking moderately.
Some studies support the popular opinion that the occasional drink can actually lower your risk of heart attack, clot-related stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and death from all cardiovascular causes [8].
However, you want to make sure you never overdo it on a consistent basis.
5 Natural Anti-Aging Supplements to Look for in Supplements
Protecting your body as it ages has a lot to do with the habits mentioned above.
But there are also extra ways that you can help support your joints, bones, skin, and cognitive functioning. Here are the top 5 natural anti-aging supplements that will help you tackle anti-aging from the inside.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the potent antioxidant compound found in turmeric, has long been used in Eastern medicine for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
The “Golden Herb” has been a staple for centuries in Chinese medicine, and studies underscore that it is an excellent source of support for cardiovascular and brain health.
But the real magic lies in its ability to calm chronic inflammation [11].
Collagen
Collagen has become a true beauty buzzword in recent years. Evidence does point in the direction of skin elasticity benefits from bovine and marine sources [12].
Further, when it comes to supporting the internal fight against aching joints, sore muscles, and brittle bones, Collagen Peptides are showing promise.
One 24-week study suggests that supplemental collagen helps reduce perceived joint discomfort and aids against degeneration [13].*
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has also made rounds on the beauty circuit. Interestingly, the same reason it helps you on the outside relates to why it helps you on the inside.
Poor blood circulation and inflammation can cause pain, redness, and swelling. Vitamin C has been shown to help reduce inflammation, maintain vascular health, and protect cells from oxidative stress [14] [15].
It can also help remove toxic environmental buildup from cells [16]. Not surprisingly, all of the above are also critical for maintaining healthy skin. *
Glutathione
Glutathione is often called the “Master Antioxidant”, and it’s a true force of nature. It’s made up of amino acids that naturally occur in the body.
But aging and oxidative stress decrease our natural production of this powerful ally, so supplements are showing promise.
Glutathione helps protect against oxidative stress, and early studies indicate it can also help maintain muscle strength and cognition as we age [17] [18]. *
DHA
DHA stands for Docosahexaenoic acid. It’s naturally found in fatty fish, but you can also find Vegan DHA made from algae.
DHA is known to help support cardiovascular function and brain health. It’s been shown to help fight inflammation and reduce swelling caused by arthritis [9].
Recent studies are also pointing to its potential as an antidepressant [10].*
Conclusion
When it comes to aging gracefully, nature’s got your back.
With the help of this potent collection of natural supplements, your body will have the support it needs to stay in top working order throughout your years.
Age might be “just a number”, but approaching your health from the inside out is in your long-term interest.
The sooner you start, the longer you’ll reap the mind and body benefits of good health!
FAQs
The best natural anti-aging supplements include DHA, Curcumin, Collagen, Vitamin C, and Glutathione. These ingredients help support cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, improve skin elasticity, and protect against oxidative stress.
Curcumin, found in turmeric, offers powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It supports cardiovascular and brain health, and helps reduce chronic inflammation, which is a key factor in aging.
Yes, Collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity and hydration, as well as support joint health by reducing discomfort and aiding against degeneration. Bovine and marine sources are particularly effective.
Glutathione is called the “Master Antioxidant” because it is a powerful substance made up of amino acids that protect against oxidative stress. It helps maintain muscle strength and cognitive function as we age.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-017-0006-x?error=cookies_not_supported&code=46718135-e882-4165-ab90-9ad9e9138dfa
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/diet-health-lifespan-new-research/#:%7E:text=The%20researchers%20found%20that%20eating,life%20expectancy%20by%20eight%20years.
- Saint-Maurice PF, Troiano RP, Bassett DR Jr, Graubard BI, Carlson SA, Shiroma EJ, Fulton JE, Matthews CE. Association of Daily Step Count and Step Intensity With Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA. 2020 Mar 24;323(12):1151-1160. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.1382. PMID: 32207799; PMCID: PMC7093766.
- Liya Lu, Cathy Johnman, Liane McGlynn, Daniel F Mackay, Paul G Shiels, Jill P Pell, Association between exposure to second-hand smoke and telomere length: cross-sectional study of 1303 non-smokers, International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 46, Issue 6, December 2017, Pages 1978–1984, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx212
- Nebes RD, Buysse DJ, Halligan EM, Houck PR, Monk TH. Self-reported sleep quality predicts poor cognitive performance in healthy older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Mar;64(2):180-7. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbn037. Epub 2009 Feb 9. PMID: 19204069; PMCID: PMC2655169.
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- https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-4/277-284.htm#:%7E:text=Alcohol%20consumption%20also%20may%20promote,ROS%2C%20thereby%20enhancing%20oxidative%20stress
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/drinks-to-consume-in-moderation/alcohol-full-story/
- Dawczynski C, Dittrich M, Neumann T, Goetze K, Welzel A, Oelzner P, Völker S, Schaible AM, Troisi F, Thomas L, Pace S, Koeberle A, Werz O, Schlattmann P, Lorkowski S, Jahreis G. Docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study with microalgae vs. sunflower oil. Clin Nutr. 2018 Apr;37(2):494-504. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.02.021. Epub 2017 Mar 6. PMID: 28302406.
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- Lupu MA, Gradisteanu Pircalabioru G, Chifiriuc MC, Albulescu R, Tanase C. Beneficial effects of food supplements based on hydrolyzed collagen for skin care (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2020 Jul;20(1):12-17. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.8342. Epub 2019 Dec 17. PMID: 32508986; PMCID: PMC7271718.
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