What is the first thing that you think of when someone says anti aging? Is it wrinkles, antioxidants or even exorbitantly priced creams that you secretly like, but claim don’t work? Or do you think of pills, medicines and exotic herbs that promise miracles.
Let’s explore anti aging pills. What are they? How effective are they? What are their benefits and what are their side effects. We will look at the most common pills to combat aging and rate them on their pros and cons.
Michio Takaoka discovered Resveratrol in 1939. Usually found in the skin of red grapes and sometimes in peanuts and berries, Resveratrol is a plant compound known as a polyphenol:
Resveratrol has many health benefits including weight loss and a healthy life. In reality, Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and prevents blood clots in the vessels. It is slated to limit cancer cells and protect nerve cells from damage, directly helping combat Alzheimer’s. Researchers guesstimate that Resveratrol can activate the SIRT1 gene, an organic mechanism which combats the effects of obesity and aging.
Resveratrol has no known long term side effects, as there haven’t been many recorded experiments on humans. Resveratrol supplements can cause complications on mixing with blood thinners like warfarin(Coumadin), and nonsteroidal compounds commonly found in medications like aspirin and ibuprofen. Resveratrol may harm pregnant women; it reduces the efficacy of the foetus’ detoxification system. Thus, pregnant women are advised not to take Resveratrol. (1)
DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, is an anti aging supplement.
It is rumored to improve libido, fabricate muscle and combat aging. DHEA is a precursor, a compound that our body transforms into hormones. It is a precursor to male and female hormones testosterone and estrogen. Our body produces most DHEA in our mid-20s. This production diminishes over time. DHEA supplements affect the level of testosterone and estrogen.
As DHEA reduces with age, some researchers preempt that supplementing the natural level of the body might combat age. Some studies, report encouraging results, but a similar number report dismal failures.NIA (The National Institute on Aging) and NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) say results do not indicate anything concrete.
Both agree that the long term use of DHEA supplements can be harmful. Some side effects include:
In the case of women, the side effects of using these anti ageing pills are:
With more than 20 names, Noni is a vitamin supplement. It is harvested from a tree found commonly in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India. Noni vitamin supplements are commonly available in most countries.
Noni is high in potassium. The other compounds like xeronine, and Polysaccharides may help repair cell damage and improve the body’s immune system. Noni also contains minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium which also boost immunity.
Owing to the strong trace of potassium in Noni supplements, people with kidney stones, and medically prescribed low potassium diets should avoid them.
Few side effects from noni have been reported, but its safety has not been adequately studied.
As Noni supplements contain quite a lot of sulfur, noni supplements can lead to foul smelling urine.
These are some of the best anti aging pills that are commonly available today. Their efficacy and longevity is quite dubious. Medical researchers are still struggling with the questions posed by the advent of such products. The rapidity of the production seems to add to the weight of the question. The FDA recently sanctioned many organizations for making false claims about Noni supplements.
So, just as a side note, aging is the only truth of our life from the moment we are born. Embrace the skin you are in! Consider using natural remedies to aging and eating healthier, living on a routine and lesser stress. These are some ways you can stay healthier, longer.