4 Risks of Supplements and Medication for Longevity and Antiaging

• Supplements have become popular among longevity experts and biohackers looking to extend lifespan.
• However, taking supplements is not always safe and can be harmful to your health.
• Here are four things to keep in mind before trying a new longevity supplement or drug.

In a race against time, some biohackers are turning to supplements to stay young for longer. supplements for longevity, Vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3, NAD+ boosters, etc. are becoming increasingly popular among the anti-aging crowd.

Longevity doctor Peter Attia takes nine different supplements every morning to extend his youth. Brian Johnson, a billionaire technology executive, says he takes 111 different supplements every day.

However, when it comes to supplements and medicines that claim longevity, more is not always better, and in some cases the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.

Here are four risks to be aware of before trying a new supplement or longevity drug.

1. There is a risk of drug interactions

Supplements can have potentially dangerous interactions with other supplements and prescription drugs.

Bill Gurley, chief scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research, previously told Insider that taking multi-ingredient supplements is like opening a “pharmacological Pandora's box.”

The more ingredients a supplement contains, or the more supplements you take at the same time, the greater the risk of harmful interactions.

In addition, supplements include interact with prescription drugs in a potentially harmful way.

For example, magnesium can interact with antibiotics and some blood pressure medications. According to WebMD.

Omega-3 supplements can interact with blood-thinning medications and may be a potential cause. fatal bleeding during injury.

That's why Dr. Andrea Meyer, co-director of the Center for Health and Longevity at the National University of Singapore, previously told Business Insider that she only recommends one person. new supplements It is integrated into the daily life of the patient at once.

“Everything we do in chemistry has benefits and side effects,” Meyer told reporter Hilary Brooke.

2. Supplements may be contaminated

Supplements are not as tightly regulated as prescription drugs, so what you actually get may differ from what it says on the bottle.

As a result, some supplements may be contaminated with other ingredients, a phenomenon known as adulteration.

“You'd be surprised how many weight loss, nutritional and bodybuilding supplements are laced with conventional medicines,” Gurley previously told Insider.

Additionally, the dosage of ingredients listed on the bottle may differ from what is in the actual capsule.

3. Accidental overdose

Overdosing on both drugs and supplements is dangerous.

Popular longevity supplements such as magnesium can be toxic if taken in excess. Signs of magnesium toxicity may include muscle weakness, low blood pressure, and confusion.

too much omega 3 It has been linked to bleeding gums, low blood pressure, and an upset stomach.

flat Too much vitamin D Calcium can build up in the heart, blood, kidneys, and lungs. In extreme cases, it has been reported that: cause kidney failure.

4. Be careful of side effects

Strictly speaking, metformin is a medicine, not a supplement, and is typically prescribed for diabetes, but it is popular as a potential longevity drug.

But experts say that for people under 40, the risks of taking metformin outweigh the benefits.

“I am appalled to learn that young people (under 40) who do not have diabetes are considering taking metformin to help them live longer,” said Nil, founding director of the Institute for Research on Aging at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Barzilai says. Posted in X (Formerly known as Twitter).

Like most drugs, metformin has side effects. In some people, testosterone levels may drop and muscle growth may be inhibited. A study conducted in 2022 found that it may have a negative effect on men's sperm. Increased chance of birth defects.

Correction: December 8, 2023 — A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that supplements are not regulated. These are subject to some regulations. This article has also been updated to reflect that metformin is a medicine, not a supplement.