How far the research has got

Exercise

Recommended in health guidelines worldwide. Large long-term studies link it to longer, healthier lives.

Free, for almost everyone · 318 human trials · 1,261 observational · 258 lab and animal

Daily sunscreen

A randomized trial found daily use slowed visible skin aging.

Over the counter · 82 human trials · 77 observational · 69 lab and animal

Tretinoin

Approved for sun-damaged skin after decades of trials.

Prescription · 107 human trials · 42 observational · 53 lab and animal

GLP-1 drugs

Approved for diabetes and weight. Large trials are now looking at heart, kidney and brain aging.

Prescription · 30 human trials · 61 observational · 140 lab and animal

Metformin

Studied for aging mostly through observational data. A large aging trial has been proposed.

Prescription, approved for diabetes · 32 human trials · 71 observational · 277 lab and animal

Minoxidil

Over the counter (scalp liquid or foam) · 206 human trials · 157 observational · 126 lab and animal

Finasteride

Prescription · 76 human trials · 88 observational · 63 lab and animal

Botox and other wrinkle-relaxing injections

Prescription injection, given in clinics · 279 human trials · 241 observational · 9 lab and animal

Hyaluronic acid fillers

Injected in clinics · 196 human trials · 233 observational · 15 lab and animal

Collagen-stimulating injections (Sculptra)

Injected in clinics · 82 human trials · 142 observational · 35 lab and animal

Strength training

Free or low cost, at home or a gym · 3,270 human trials · 1,210 observational · 122 lab and animal

Balance training and preventing falls

Free or low cost; classes and physical therapy · 2,400 human trials · 3,443 observational · 2 lab and animal

Healthy eating patterns (Mediterranean, DASH, whole foods)

Free; a change in eating · 668 human trials · 2,136 observational · 23 lab and animal

Quitting smoking

Free help lines; medicines by prescription or over the counter · 1,250 human trials · 4,345 observational · 6 lab and animal

Drinking less alcohol

Free · 1,201 human trials · 15,900 observational · 101 lab and animal

Getting enough sleep

Free · 2,067 human trials · 6,373 observational · 49 lab and animal

Knowing and controlling your blood pressure

Checks at doctors' offices and pharmacies; treatment by prescription · 1,881 human trials · 2,853 observational · 27 lab and animal

Health screenings

Through your doctor; most are covered by insurance · 2,251 human trials · 11,500 observational · 11 lab and animal

Vaccines for adults

At pharmacies and doctors' offices; usually covered by insurance · 1,029 human trials · 2,989 observational · 153 lab and animal

Home blood pressure monitors

Over the counter at pharmacies and online · 1,350 human trials · 2,157 observational · 2 lab and animal

Ultra-processed food

Free; a change in eating · 17 human trials · 298 observational · 3 lab and animal

Too much sitting

Free · 672 human trials · 3,196 observational · 31 lab and animal

Red light therapy

Small trials for skin, of mixed quality.

Clinics and home devices · 104 human trials · 112 observational · 38 lab and animal

Omega-3 fatty acids

Food, supplements and a prescription form · 142 human trials · 193 observational · 660 lab and animal

Vitamin D

Over-the-counter supplement · 194 human trials · 760 observational · 603 lab and animal

Berberine

Over-the-counter supplement · 37 human trials · 7 observational · 248 lab and animal

Plasma exchange and young plasma

Clinics and clinical trials · 6 human trials · 10 observational · 222 lab and animal

Calorie restriction and fasting

Free; a change in eating · 129 human trials · 73 observational · 2,885 lab and animal

Testosterone therapy

Prescription · 151 human trials · 154 observational · 91 lab and animal

Menopause hormone therapy

Prescription · 1,437 human trials · 2,889 observational · 318 lab and animal

Hearing and vision checks

Audiologists, eye doctors and doctors' offices · 2,730 human trials · 13,281 observational · 525 lab and animal

Staying socially connected

Free · 513 human trials · 4,742 observational · 62 lab and animal

Protein supplements

Over-the-counter supplement · 457 human trials · 118 observational · 65 lab and animal

Calcium

Over-the-counter supplement · 377 human trials · 504 observational · 7 lab and animal

Rapamycin

Extends lifespan in mice. Human studies so far are small.

Prescription, used off-label for aging · 25 human trials · 36 observational · 1,020 lab and animal

NAD+ boosters

Small human trials show NAD+ rises in the blood. Effects on aging are not yet known.

Over-the-counter supplements · 18 human trials · 5 observational · 181 lab and animal

Senolytics

Clear results in animals. Early human trials are small.

Mostly inside clinical trials · 20 human trials · 19 observational · 372 lab and animal

Fisetin

Clears aged cells in mice. Human trials have only started.

Over-the-counter supplement · 1 human trials · 2 observational · 44 lab and animal

BPC-157 peptide

Studied almost only in animals.

Not approved for use in people · 0 human trials · 1 observational · 202 lab and animal

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)

Over-the-counter supplement · 9 human trials · 0 observational · 135 lab and animal

NR (nicotinamide riboside)

Over-the-counter supplement · 9 human trials · 3 observational · 46 lab and animal

NAD+ IV and injections

Clinics and IV wellness centers · 2 human trials · 1 observational · 67 lab and animal

Urolithin A

Over-the-counter supplement · 32 human trials · 3 observational · 179 lab and animal

Spermidine

Over-the-counter supplement · 8 human trials · 13 observational · 205 lab and animal

Resveratrol

Over-the-counter supplement · 27 human trials · 16 observational · 506 lab and animal

Pterostilbene

Over-the-counter supplement · 7 human trials · 4 observational · 319 lab and animal

Alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG)

Over-the-counter supplement · 1 human trials · 1 observational · 114 lab and animal

Taurine

Over-the-counter supplement · 8 human trials · 13 observational · 323 lab and animal

Creatine

Over-the-counter supplement · 62 human trials · 10 observational · 46 lab and animal

CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)

Over-the-counter supplement · 23 human trials · 12 observational · 237 lab and animal

GlyNAC (glycine and NAC)

Over-the-counter supplements · 1 human trials · 0 observational · 5 lab and animal

Collagen peptides

Over-the-counter supplement · 51 human trials · 9 observational · 161 lab and animal

Quercetin

Over-the-counter supplement · 20 human trials · 10 observational · 316 lab and animal

Astaxanthin

Over-the-counter supplement · 14 human trials · 6 observational · 93 lab and animal

Retinol

Over the counter (creams and serums) · 30 human trials · 11 observational · 10 lab and animal

Vitamin C serum

Over the counter (serums) · 32 human trials · 17 observational · 16 lab and animal

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hospitals and private clinics · 6 human trials · 6 observational · 48 lab and animal

Cell reprogramming (Yamanaka factors)

Not available as a treatment; studied in labs · 0 human trials · 2 observational · 104 lab and animal

Thymus regeneration

Clinical trials only · 3 human trials · 18 observational · 374 lab and animal

Gene therapy for aging

Not approved for aging · 11 human trials · 16 observational · 352 lab and animal

Stem cell therapy

Clinics, often abroad; clinical trials · 18 human trials · 28 observational · 233 lab and animal

Full-body MRI scans

Private clinics, self-paid · 30 human trials · 152 observational · 5 lab and animal

Laser resurfacing (CO2 and fractional lasers)

Dermatologists and med spas · 249 human trials · 330 observational · 62 lab and animal

IPL photofacial (intense pulsed light)

Dermatologists and med spas · 93 human trials · 97 observational · 13 lab and animal

Microneedling (including RF microneedling)

Dermatologists, med spas and home rollers · 46 human trials · 56 observational · 8 lab and animal

Radiofrequency skin tightening (e.g. Thermage)

Dermatologists and med spas · 63 human trials · 88 observational · 19 lab and animal

Ultrasound skin lifting (Ultherapy)

Dermatologists and med spas · 39 human trials · 53 observational · 9 lab and animal

Chemical peels

Dermatologists, med spas and mild home peels · 47 human trials · 47 observational · 9 lab and animal

PRP for skin and hair (platelet-rich plasma)

Dermatologists, med spas and hair clinics · 92 human trials · 82 observational · 31 lab and animal

Multivitamins

Over-the-counter supplement · 197 human trials · 452 observational · 9 lab and animal

Fiber supplements

Over-the-counter supplement · 142 human trials · 57 observational · 6 lab and animal

Magnesium

Over-the-counter supplement · 131 human trials · 239 observational · 11 lab and animal

Vitamin B12

Over-the-counter supplement; injections by prescription · 520 human trials · 1,676 observational · 48 lab and animal

Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings

Over the counter · 212 human trials · 375 observational · 0 lab and animal

Continuous glucose monitors

Some over the counter; others by prescription · 530 human trials · 799 observational · 3 lab and animal

Sleep trackers

Over the counter · 9 human trials · 23 observational · 0 lab and animal

Smart scales

Over the counter · 571 human trials · 2,934 observational · 56 lab and animal

Microplastics

Found in food, water and air · 7 human trials · 96 observational · 1,717 lab and animal

Air pollution (outdoor and indoor)

Everywhere; indoor air can be filtered · 171 human trials · 3,967 observational · 140 lab and animal

PFAS ("forever chemicals")

Found in some drinking water, food packaging and products · 20 human trials · 1,095 observational · 475 lab and animal

BPA and phthalates in plastics

Found in some plastics, can linings and receipts · 69 human trials · 1,547 observational · 1,034 lab and animal

Tesamorelin

Prescription, approved only for belly fat in HIV · 9 human trials · 1 observational · 0 lab and animal

Elamipretide (SS-31)

Prescription, approved only for Barth syndrome · 7 human trials · 10 observational · 24 lab and animal

Sermorelin

Prescription, made by compounding pharmacies · 12 human trials · 0 observational · 3 lab and animal

Thymosin alpha-1

Not approved in the US; a prescription drug in other countries · 41 human trials · 29 observational · 11 lab and animal

CJC-1295

Not approved; marketed online · 0 human trials · 0 observational · 0 lab and animal

Ipamorelin

Not approved; marketed online · 0 human trials · 0 observational · 0 lab and animal

GHK-Cu (copper peptide)

In skin creams and serums; injections sold online · 1 human trials · 2 observational · 12 lab and animal

Epitalon

Not approved in the US · 5 human trials · 1 observational · 25 lab and animal

TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment)

Not approved; sold online without a prescription · 4 human trials · 16 observational · 11 lab and animal

MOTS-c

Not approved; marketed online · 1 human trials · 7 observational · 4 lab and animal

Humanin

Not approved; studied in labs · 4 human trials · 9 observational · 6 lab and animal

FOXO4-DRI

Not approved; studied in labs · 0 human trials · 0 observational · 5 lab and animal