Supplements for Vitality & Longevity

A polyphenol-rich spice studied mainly for modest improvements in blood sugar and blood lipids; choose Ceylon to limit coumarin.

Activates AMPK to regulate blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and support lipid metabolism. Its only head-to-head trial with metformin cited here was a 36-person pilot, which does not show it can replace metformin.

An oral diabetes drug (alpha-glucosidase inhibitor) that blunts post-meal glucose spikes. It robustly extended lifespan in male mice in the NIA aging program and reduced cardiovascular events in human prevention trials. Human longevity benefit is unproven; the main downside is gas/GI side effects. A prescription drug taken off-label, not a supplement.

An FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist (Ozempic/Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for chronic weight management) with genuinely strong, large-RCT evidence for glycemic control and substantial weight loss, plus a cardiovascular-outcomes benefit. Honest appraisal: this is a real prescription medicine with real efficacy AND real risks — a US FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, pancreatitis and gallbladder risk, very common GI side effects, and growing concern about grey-market/compounded versions. It is a prescription drug, not a supplement, and is never auto-recommended.

Hormone-like vitamin that regulates 1,000+ genes — deficiency is widespread and linked to poor immunity, depression, and bone loss.

A lipid-soluble antioxidant central to mitochondrial energy production, with the strongest trial support for fertility/IVF outcomes and heart failure.

An SGLT2-inhibitor diabetes drug (Farxiga/Forxiga) with broad, robust human outcome evidence — it cuts heart-failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death across the ejection-fraction spectrum and slows kidney-disease progression, including in non-diabetics. The sibling of empagliflozin, used off-label for 'longevity,' though longevity itself is unproven (the lifespan data are for sibling canagliflozin in mice). A prescription drug, not a supplement.

A popular vinegar whose acetic acid modestly blunts post-meal blood glucose and may nudge lipids — meta-analysis supports small fasting-glucose and lipid improvements, but effects are modest and trials small. Acidic, so it can erode tooth enamel.

NAD+ precursor that raises HDL, lowers LDL and triglycerides, and fuels cellular energy metabolism at therapeutic doses.

Contains charantin and polypeptide-p, proposed to have an insulin-like effect, a mechanism a 2006 review calls still under debate. Human trials on blood glucose are mixed and mostly low-quality, with a major Cochrane review finding no significant effect.

Turmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.

Blocks protein glycation and buffers muscle pH, supporting longevity, exercise performance, and cognitive function.