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Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), low-dose
The classic geroprotector candidate that was properly tested — and largely failed. The large ASPREE trial found daily low-dose aspirin did NOT extend disability-free survival in healthy older adults and was associated with more bleeding (and numerically higher mortality). It retains real value in secondary cardiovascular prevention, but for healthy-aging/primary prevention the evidence is negative. A medical drug, not a supplement.
Prescription medication — not a dietary supplement
Aspirin (low-dose) is a prescription (or investigational) drug, not a supplement. It is included here for reference because people research and discuss it (often used off-label) — not as a recommendation. Take it only under a qualified clinician's supervision and only as prescribed; do not source it from grey-market vendors, where identity, purity, and dosing are unverified. The evidence below reflects its clinical trials.
What the evidence says
Aspirin (low-dose) doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2009–2026.
Based on 993 studies · 313 meta-analyses · 621 RCTs
Confidence
High confidenceBy outcome
Low-dose aspirin was a leading geroprotector candidate, but the large ASPREE randomized trial found it did NOT extend disability-free survival or reduce mortality in healthy older adults and increased bleeding; it retains value only in secondary cardiovascular prevention — so for the longevity/healthy-aging thesis the evidence is essentially negative.
84 trials ongoing or recruiting · 180 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
52 of the completed trials have posted results
Registered trials show research momentum for Aspirin (low-dose), not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Nov 2026
Showing the 997 most recent of 3949 studies.
Low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1/COX-2), blocking thromboxane-driven platelet aggregation (its antithrombotic effect) and reducing prostaglandin-mediated inflammation.
Because chronic inflammation and thrombosis underlie much age-related disease — and because epidemiology hinted at lower cancer and cardiovascular mortality — aspirin was one of the most promising candidate geroprotectors, and it was put to a proper test. The result is an honest, instructive negative.
The large randomized ASPREE trial (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) gave healthy adults aged 70+ (65+ for some groups) daily low-dose aspirin for ~5 years and found it did NOT improve disability-free survival (the healthy-aging primary endpoint), did NOT reduce all-cause mortality (the aspirin group had a numerically higher mortality, partly cancer-related), and significantly increased major bleeding.
Broader primary-prevention meta-analyses reach the same balance: a small reduction in cardiovascular events offset by a comparable increase in major bleeding, so for people without established cardiovascular disease the net benefit is neutral-to-negative — which is why guidelines have walked back routine primary-prevention aspirin.
Aspirin remains genuinely valuable in SECONDARY prevention (people with established cardiovascular disease) and has a real, separate evidence base for reducing certain cancers (e.g. colorectal) over long horizons.
But as a take-it-for-longevity/healthy-aging drug, the best evidence says it doesn't deliver and adds bleeding risk. It is an inexpensive medical drug, not a dietary supplement, and should be used only on medical advice.
The score reflects a real but narrow (secondary-prevention) benefit and a clean negative result for the healthy-aging/longevity thesis, plus a meaningful bleeding harm.
Irreversibly acetylates COX-1 in platelets, blocking thromboxane A2 and platelet aggregation — the antithrombotic effect (and the bleeding risk).
Reduced prostaglandin synthesis lowers inflammation — the rationale for proposed anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.
The same platelet inhibition that prevents clots increases gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding — the core risk-benefit tension.
How Aspirin (low-dose) works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Routine aspirin is not recommended — ASPREE found no benefit and more bleeding.
Secondary prevention is evidence-supported — but that is a medical decision, not a longevity choice.
Avoid — bleeding risk outweighs benefit.
Additive bleeding risk — combined use only under medical supervision.
Can blunt aspirin's antiplatelet effect and add GI-bleeding risk.
Increases gastrointestinal bleeding risk.
Tip: Take with food; consider gastroprotection; avoid with ulcer history.
Tip: Take with food or use enteric-coated.
Tip: Higher in older adults — a key reason ASPREE found net harm in healthy seniors.
Aspirin (low-dose) has an evidence score of 3/10 — emerging evidence based on 3941 indexed studies, including 3 meta-analyses. The classic geroprotector candidate that was properly tested — and largely failed. The large ASPREE trial found daily low-dose aspirin did NOT extend disability-free survival in healthy older adults and was associated with more bleeding (and numerically higher mortality). It retains real value in secondary cardiovascular prevention, but for healthy-aging/primary prevention the evidence is negative. A medical drug, not a supplement. Representative study: PMID 30667501.
Dosing for Aspirin (low-dose): Low-dose aspirin is 75–100 mg/day. For primary prevention / healthy aging, current evidence (ASPREE) does not support routine use — discuss with a clinician, who will weigh cardiovascular risk against bleeding. Secondary prevention (established CVD) is a separate, evidence-supported use. Individual needs vary, so check the right dose for you with a healthcare provider.
Timing is flexible for Aspirin (low-dose) — consistent daily use matters more than the time of day. Take with food (or use enteric-coated) to reduce gastric irritation; consistency matters more than time of day.
Aspirin (low-dose) should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. Reported side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding / ulcers, intracranial bleeding, gastric irritation / dyspepsia. How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Active or prior major bleeding / peptic ulcer; Bleeding disorders; Aspirin/NSAID allergy.
CoQ10
Likely helpsA lipid-soluble antioxidant central to mitochondrial energy production, with the strongest trial support for fertility/IVF outcomes and heart failure.
Red Yeast Rice
Likely helpsFermented rice containing natural statins that effectively lower LDL cholesterol — the original statin.
Berberine
Likely helpsActivates 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.
Plant Sterols & Stanols
Too few graded studiesPlant sterols and stanols taken at about 2 to 3 g a day, usually in fortified foods or as capsules, lower LDL cholesterol by roughly 6 to 12% in more than a hundred randomised trials. No trial has tested whether they prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Explore: Best supplements for Vitality & Longevity
Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 3,949 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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