The Best Antiaging Supplements

Aging is caused by unstable molecules called free radicals, which attack cells and damage DNA; inflammation; excessive sugar, which mixes with proteins and fats to form free radicals and promote inflammation; and stress, according to "U.S. News and World Report." The University of Florida Institute on Aging says that as you age, oxidative damage from free radicals develops in cells and impairs energy generation. Some supplements can reduce effects of free radicals and inflammation.

Vitamin E

Alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E with the most nutritional significance, functions primarily as an antioxidant that intercepts free radicals and prevents the destruction of fats, lipoproteins and cellular membranes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E is 15 mg or 22.5 International Units for adults. Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient, it is difficult to consume more than 15 mg of vitamin E per day from food without overconsuming fats and oils. The Linus Pauling Institute supports the effectiveness and safety in taking a supplement of 200 IU of natural source alpha-tocopherol with a meal to help protect adults from chronic diseases that include neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. Research by Ana Navarro published in the "American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology" in 2005 discovered that male mice receiving 5 g of alpha-tocopherol per kilogram of food increased their life span by 40 percent and had a 17 percent increase in maximal life span; female mice given 5 g of alpha-tocopherol increased their median life span by 14 percent. The research also showed that vitamin E supplementation improves brain cell function of mitochondria and neurological performance in aging mice.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that even in small amounts can protect DNA, RNA, proteins, fats and carbohydrates from damage by free radicals, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C can regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C is 75 mg for female adults and 90 mg for male adults. Ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate are the most common forms of vitamin C used in clinical research. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends adults take vitamin C supplements in two separate 250-mg doses per day. Research by Laurent Massip published in the "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology" in 2010 discovered that vitamin C supplementation could be beneficial for patients with Werner syndrome, a premature aging disorder. The research demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation reversed several age-related abnormalities related to fat cells, liver, inflammation and gene integrity.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the body and is necessary for cell function and for protection against age-related conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Research by J.L. Quiles published in "Biofactors" in 2005 demonstrated that a life-long low dosage of 0.7 mg of coenzyme Q10 per kilogram of body weight per day in rats leads to significantly lower DNA damage associated with aging.