The Ultimate Anti-Aging Supplement Stack

There’s a lot of noise in the supplement world about what to take to feel or look younger. We’ve combed through the research to share the five supplements that have the most promising research behind them for their anti-aging effects.

Everything You Need to Know About EGCG

Let’s spill the tea on EGCG. Epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG) is a type of catechin that is found in many teas and is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as a wide range of health benefits!

EGCG is found in varying concentrations in many teas but mostly in green tea. Other teas, like oolong and black teas, are partially or fully oxidized, so they have much lower concentrations of EGCG. If you’re a tea connoisseur, tea can vary from region to region, whether it is grown in the shade versus sun, and even differ depending on what season the tea is harvested. Research has shown that Japanese steamed teas have higher catechin concentrations. Tea from the second harvest is usually higher in EGCG than in the first harvest. On the tea plant itself, the younger plant leaves toward the top have more EGCG than the mature leaves on the lower part of the plant.

EGCG is great for heart health by decreasing inflammation and reducing blood pressure. Studies have also shown that EGCG can protect brain cells from oxidative stress and increase brain function. This helps to improve task performance and display improved memory recall. Additionally, green tea rich in EGCG and caffeine has been linked to weight loss through balancing hormones that regulate thermogenesis, which is how your body burns calories to produce energy/heat. Individuals with skin issues like dermatitis and rosacea have also been known to show improvement with EGCG. Topical green tea extract can help with skin elasticity, inflammation, and other signs of aging.

Taking EGCG can also help reduce liver enzyme levels by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. However, excessive intake of EGCG has been linked to an increased risk of liver damage, so you should always consult your doctor if you plan on taking any supplements with EGCG or consume EGCG in higher than normal quantities. Your doctor should regularly test your liver function to determine if EGCG is an appropriate option.

Grab a cup, let it steep, and RELAX!

The Top 8 Benefits of Curcumin

Curcumin is derived from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa linn plant, a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, aids in the management of oxidative stress, inflammatory conditions, metabolism, arthritis, anxiety, and even hyperlipidemia. Curcumin can be instrumental in helping to decrease exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, enhancing recovery and performance.

Curcumin also acts as a transcription agent to turn on genes that have been mistakenly silenced and can even activate p53, the tumor suppressor gene, which can keep cancer cells at bay.

The Top 8 Benefits of Curcumin:

1. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties
2. It can decrease your risk of cancer
3. It can reduce your risk of heart disease
4. It can relieve arthritis pain
5. It can help lower your cholesterol
6. It can assist in preventing Alzheimer’s
7. It can help in the prevention and management of diabetes
8. It can help increase your immunity
9. It is a potent antioxidant
10. It works on many pathways in the body to slow aging

The challenge with supplementing Curcumin is that it needs to be more bioavailable. Here at PUR-FORM, we carry the most bioavailable oral preparation of Curcumin, called UltraCur, and we even have Curcumin available in IV form! The IV form is a game changer, as this amazing anti-inflammatory powerhouse can now be delivered straight into your bloodstream!

The Benefits of Taking NAD+

NAD+ is an essential coenzyme that we can’t live without. It is present in the mitochondria of each cell and declines 50% by age 40-60. The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell and make ATP or energy within the cell. Without sufficient NAD+, our mitochondria struggle to produce sufficient energy, which can be very taxing to our vital organs. Replenishing NAD+ stores can lead to improved athletic performance, slow the process of aging, and revitalize our hard-working organs. NAD+ plays a key role in metabolism and DNA repair, which is crucial in preventing chronic illnesses and cancer. The organs with the highest concentrations of NAD+ are the heart and brain, so the lack of NAD+ can put these organs at risk for degenerative conditions (i.e., Alzheimer’s).

For this reason, NAD+ can potentially be very effective in preventing dementia, Parkinson’s’, and even multiple sclerosis. NAD+ is given via intravenous infusion and takes about two to four hours, and depends on each patient’s tolerance of the drip. During the drip, some symptoms that most people experience are chest tightness and/or butterflies in their stomachs, but everyone is different. These symptoms are completely benign and will go away within 20 seconds of stopping the drip. We like to think of the sensation of these symptoms as our cells getting the energy boost they’d been working so hard for! Typically, our areas of issue or disease are the areas of the body in which NAD+ is lacking. Thus, we usually feel the symptoms in those areas. In short, you’ll feel it where you need it!

At PUR-FORM, we offer the most comprehensive NAD+ protocol to give you the boost you need without baggage. This baggage I speak of may come from homocysteine production and senescence. Before the infusion, we supply each patient with a supplement called Trimethylglycine (TMG), which provides the body with methyl and assists in the tolerance of the infusion. Further, the methyl provided by the TMG prevents the production of homocysteine, an amino acid that can cause damage to the arteries, during the NAD+ infusion. If produced even after TMG supplementation, this homocysteine can be broken down by Vitamin B6.

For this reason, we end each NAD+ IV with an IV push of Vitamin B6. As far as senescence is concerned, NAD+ tends to help our cells thrive and get stronger, even the senescent ones. Senescent cells are those cells that should’ve died but are continuing to live on and secreting things like inflammatory proteins. We supplement quercetin with our NAD+ treatments as a senolytic to prevent these cells from living. This allows the NAD+ to boost up the healthy cells and the senescent cells to die off as they should. Lastly, we finish the infusion with a supplement called SAMe. This helps to potentiate the effects of the NAD+ infusion and allows you to feel more energized for even longer. We are currently one of the only clinics comprehensively taking care of all the baggage that comes with an NAD+ infusion, leaving you only to receive amazing benefits!

The Most Exciting Anti-Aging Antioxidant: Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a plant compound that is an excellent antioxidant. Plants produce resveratrol in times of distress caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi because it can help fight off these pathogens. Along with being an antioxidant, resveratrol also has anticancer and neuroprotective properties. Resveratrol has been used for years to treat infectious and inflammatory conditions, but its most notable benefit is its cardioprotective properties. Resveratrol can lower blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide production in the body. This is important because nitric oxide relaxes the blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure and the workload on the heart. Furthermore, resveratrol can help lower body weight, total and LDL or bad cholesterol, and increase HDL or good cholesterol. Resveratrol can also increase insulin sensitivity by activating the AMPK pathway (the same pathway activated by the diabetes drug Metformin), decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lastly, resveratrol can ease joint pain by preventing the breakdown of cartilage in the joints and possibly stopping osteoarthritis in its tracks. For these reasons, resveratrol has been shown to lengthen lifespan in many animal studies.

Resveratrol is found in many plant foods, especially the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, and peanuts. So, consider reading this as a sign to have a glass of wine tonight, you know, for the health benefits.

One of the biggest issues with supplementation of resveratrol is its poor bioavailability. For this reason, we have an IV preparation of resveratrol at IRM that will be delivered directly into the bloodstream for maximum benefit!

Similarly to resveratrol, pterostilbene is an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound found in plants. Pterostilbene also has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and vascular protective properties. Resveratrol may be superior for its cardioprotective effects, but pterostilbenes’ anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects are far superior. Pterostilbene has strong neuroprotective effects and has been shown to increase cognitive abilities and slow down aging by promoting DNA repair! Furthermore, pterostilbene stimulates the AMPK pathway, increasing insulin sensitivity and preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Pterostilbene can be found in blueberries and grapes, but unlike resveratrol, it does not make it through the wine-making process, so you’ll have to eat the grapes to reap the benefits of this compound. Pterostilbene is also more bioavailable than resveratrol, making it more easily absorbed orally.

Feel Young Again with CoQ10!

What is CoQ10? CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps us produce energy and is found naturally in the body. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies have less and less CoQ10. Lower levels of CoQ10 can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue, higher blood pressure, and slowed thinking.

CoQ10 has been found to help with heart failure symptoms by restoring optimal energy production levels. This increased energy production has been linked with alleviating and even preventing migraines and is great for overall brain function. Along with improved mitochondrial function, CoQ10s antioxidant properties can help protect skin cells to make them look younger when applied directly.

Individuals may be deficient in CoQ10 if they suffer from health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes, or cancer due to the increased demands of the respective tissues. Certain medications like antidepressants, psychotherapeutics, and meds used to treat heart disease are known to decrease levels of CoQ10.

You can find CoQ10 in many foods we eat in our diets. However, most dietary sources have far fewer amounts of CoQ10 than when given as a supplement. These foods include meats of all forms, especially organ meats (liver, heart, etc.) and fatty fish. Soybeans, nuts and seeds, and a variety of vegetables (especially broccoli) also contain this vital nutrient.

CoQ10 has been known to lower blood sugar and blood pressure, so sensitive individuals should take precautions with CoQ10 supplementation. As always, consult your doctor if you’re considering taking CoQ10.

Bella Sannasardo, RN, BSN