Researchers wanted to find a better way to measure if anti-aging treatments actually work. They studied 120 healthy older adults (average age 72) for 2 years, testing whether certain supplements could slow biological aging. The study used a blood marker called NT-proBNP to create a “biological age” score. While the supplements didn’t show the hoped-for benefits, the researchers successfully developed a new method for testing anti-aging treatments in future studies. One supplement combination had to be stopped early because it raised cholesterol levels too much.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether three different supplement combinations could slow down biological aging in older adults, measured through a blood test marker
  • Who participated: 120 healthy people around age 72, divided into three groups: one taking CoQ10 and selenium, one taking resveratrol and TA-65, and one taking placebo (fake pills)
  • Key finding: The supplements didn’t significantly slow biological aging compared to placebo. However, the placebo group’s biological age increased by 2.5 years over 2 years, which helped researchers understand what to expect in future studies
  • What it means for you: These popular anti-aging supplements didn’t work better than placebo in this study. The high-dose resveratrol actually caused harmful cholesterol increases, suggesting it should be avoided at that dose. More research is needed before recommending these supplements for anti-aging purposes

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the most reliable types of studies. Researchers randomly assigned 120 healthy older adults into three groups: one received CoQ10 and selenium supplements, another received resveratrol and TA-65, and the third received placebo pills that looked identical but contained no active ingredients. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was getting which treatment until the study ended—this is called “double-blind” and helps prevent bias.

The study lasted 2 years, which is long enough to potentially see aging-related changes. Researchers measured a blood marker called NT-proBNP, which naturally increases as people age and is linked to heart health and longevity. They converted this blood marker into a “biological age” score to see if the supplements could slow aging at the cellular level.

Participants also completed physical tests like a step test and handgrip strength measurement, and reported how they felt overall. This combination of blood tests and physical measurements gave researchers multiple ways to assess whether the supplements were working.

This study was designed as a “pilot” or test run to figure out the best way to study anti-aging treatments in the future. By establishing clear methods and understanding what changes naturally occur over 2 years, researchers can design better studies with the right number of participants and measurements. This groundwork is essential before investing time and money in larger, more expensive trials.

This study has several strengths: it was randomized (reducing bias), double-blind (preventing expectations from affecting results), and included a placebo control group (showing what happens without treatment). However, there were challenges: some participants dropped out, some didn’t take their supplements consistently, and one supplement group had to be stopped early due to safety concerns. These issues made it harder to see clear results. The sample size of 120 was relatively small for detecting subtle anti-aging effects, which is why the researchers used this trial to calculate how many participants would be needed for future studies.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that neither supplement combination significantly slowed biological aging compared to placebo. In the CoQ10 and selenium group and the placebo group combined (after the resveratrol group was stopped), biological age increased by 2.5 years over the 2-year study period. This increase was statistically significant, meaning it wasn’t due to chance, but it showed that the supplements didn’t prevent the normal aging process.

When researchers looked specifically at participants over age 70, biological age increased by 3.0 years over 2 years in both the supplement and placebo groups. This finding was important because it showed that older adults experience measurable biological aging, which could help researchers design future studies.

The physical performance tests (step test and handgrip strength) and self-reported health status showed no significant differences between the supplement and placebo groups. This means participants taking supplements didn’t feel better or perform better than those taking placebo pills.

The study successfully developed a method for measuring biological age using the NT-proBNP blood marker. This new approach could be valuable for future anti-aging research, even though these particular supplements didn’t show benefits.

The resveratrol and TA-65 group had to be stopped at 5 months because participants showed a significant increase in LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). This is an important safety finding suggesting that high-dose resveratrol (350 mg twice daily) may be harmful for cholesterol levels and heart health. This wasn’t the intended anti-aging effect—it was actually a negative side effect that required stopping the treatment.

Dropout rates and inconsistent supplement use in the CoQ10 and selenium group may have prevented researchers from seeing potential benefits. Some participants didn’t complete the full 2 years or didn’t take their supplements regularly, which weakened the study’s ability to detect effects.

Previous research has shown that NT-proBNP levels increase with age and are associated with heart disease and mortality risk. This study confirmed that NT-proBNP is a useful marker for biological aging. However, the finding that these specific supplements didn’t slow biological aging differs from some earlier small studies that suggested potential benefits. The resveratrol finding aligns with previous concerns about high-dose resveratrol’s effects on cholesterol metabolism, suggesting that “more is not better” with this supplement.

Several limitations affected this study’s conclusions. First, the sample size of 120 was relatively small for detecting subtle anti-aging effects—the researchers calculated that 126 participants over age 70 would be needed for adequate statistical power in future studies. Second, participant dropout and inconsistent supplement use weakened the results. Third, the resveratrol group had to be stopped early, preventing a full 2-year comparison. Fourth, all participants were healthy older adults, so results may not apply to younger people or those with existing health conditions. Finally, 2 years may not be long enough to see meaningful anti-aging effects, though it was sufficient to establish the measurement method.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, these supplements are NOT recommended as anti-aging treatments. The evidence shows they don’t slow biological aging better than placebo. High-dose resveratrol (350 mg twice daily) should be avoided due to cholesterol concerns. If you’re interested in anti-aging strategies, focus on proven approaches like regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, and stress management. Always consult your doctor before starting new supplements, especially if you take medications or have health conditions. Confidence level: Moderate (based on this single pilot study, though results align with lack of evidence for these supplements in other research).

This research matters most to older adults considering anti-aging supplements and to healthcare providers advising patients about supplement use. It’s relevant to anyone interested in understanding how biological age is measured and tracked. However, if you’re already taking these supplements and feeling well, this single study shouldn’t cause alarm—discuss any concerns with your doctor. Younger adults may not need to worry about these specific supplements unless they’re considering them for anti-aging purposes.

If these supplements had worked, researchers expected to see measurable changes in biological age within 2 years. The fact that no significant changes occurred after 2 years suggests these particular supplements don’t provide anti-aging benefits on a meaningful timeframe. Any real anti-aging intervention would likely need to show effects within 1-2 years to be considered practical.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your biological age markers annually through blood work (specifically NT-proBNP levels if available) and compare to your chronological age. Record this alongside lifestyle factors like exercise frequency, diet quality, and sleep hours to identify which habits correlate with slower biological aging.
  • Instead of relying on unproven supplements, use the app to build and track proven anti-aging habits: aim for 150 minutes of weekly exercise, maintain a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables and whole grains, track 7-9 hours of sleep nightly, and monitor stress through daily mood or meditation logging.
  • Set up quarterly check-ins to review your biological age markers (if available through your healthcare provider) and compare them to your lifestyle tracking data. Create a dashboard showing the relationship between your daily habits and your biological age trajectory. This long-term approach helps identify which lifestyle changes actually impact your aging rate.

This study is a pilot trial with a small sample size that did not find significant anti-aging benefits from the tested supplements. The results should not be interpreted as definitive proof that these supplements don’t work—larger, longer studies are needed. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or are over age 65, consult with your healthcare provider. The early stopping of the resveratrol group due to cholesterol increases highlights that supplements can have side effects and require medical supervision. Individual responses to supplements vary, and what didn’t work in this study population may affect different individuals differently.