The Fountain of Youth in a Pill?

Let’s get something straight: There is no supplement that’s been proven to lengthen your life or delay aging. Avoid any product that claims to do so. Here’s the real deal on pills most often touted as being anti-aging hope in a bottle:

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): This hormone is naturally produced in our adrenal glands. The pill form is said to boost muscle strength and libido and fend off cognitive decline, but research in humans has been conflicting. Plus, it can cause breast cancers to grow at breakneck speed. This is one of the most concerning supplements.

Black cohosh: There is interesting initial data that it might be useful for menopause. But it may also cause liver damage, so stay clear.

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 is a component of mitochondria, the parts of our cells that generate energy. There’s little data, however, to show that taking the supplement has the same effect.

Melatonin: It’s produced by your brain to regulate your sleep cycle, and it may do more: In some animal studies, the hormone has been shown to delay signs of aging. There’s not enough evidence to go on in humans to recommend taking it for this purpose.

Resveratrol: For years, there’s been buzz about resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine and grape skins that’s been found to slow signs of aging and have anti-cancer effects – in rodents and test tubes. Unfortunately, the effects of antioxidant supplements on preventing aging and illness in humans are entirely unknown.