What therapies are used for human lifespan extension and anti-aging?

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Last updated: May 30, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

There is no single new medication that celebrities universally use to prolong life and stay young. While some celebrities may use prescription medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) for weight management or retinoids for skin appearance, these are not anti-aging medications. Many celebrities maintain their youthful appearance through a combination of healthy lifestyle choices, such as:

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Sleep as well as cosmetic procedures, professional skincare regimens, and access to high-end healthcare 1. Some may use supplements like NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) or resveratrol based on preliminary research suggesting potential longevity benefits, but these are not FDA-approved for anti-aging purposes and lack conclusive scientific evidence 1. The appearance of celebrity youth is typically the result of comprehensive health practices, professional beauty services, and sometimes cosmetic procedures rather than any miracle medication.

It's worth noting that research in the field of gerontology has identified some important nutrient-sensing pathways that modulate the aging process, such as the mTOR and the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway 1. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of nutrients, foods, and diets on lifespan and the aging process. A new scientific discipline, called nutrigerontology, has been proposed to study the impact of nutrients, foods, and diets on lifespan and the aging process, and to develop diets and guidelines to reduce the risk of aging-related diseases 1.

In terms of specific interventions, stopping smoking and increasing physical activity are two examples of interventions with evidence for improving survivors’ health that may also directly deaccelerate biological aging (i.e., are gero-protective) 1. Calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, foods rich in anti-oxidants, and drugs like metformin and senolytic agents are being tested in gerontology research and may decrease biological aging, and some may lower risk of cancer progression 1. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of these interventions on human health and longevity.

Overall, while there is no single new medication that celebrities universally use to prolong life and stay young, a combination of healthy lifestyle choices, cosmetic procedures, and access to high-end healthcare can contribute to a youthful appearance. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of nutrients, foods, and diets on lifespan and the aging process, and to develop effective interventions to promote healthy aging.

From the Research

Medications for Prolonging Life and Staying Young

There are several medications that have been studied for their potential anti-aging effects, including:

  • Alogliptin, canagliflozin, and metformin, which may produce anti-aging activity via AMPK activation 2
  • Rapamycin and canagliflozin, which can inhibit mTOR to promote lifespan 2
  • Atracurium, carnitine, and statins, which act as DAF-16 activators and may contribute to anti-aging activity 2
  • Hydralazine, lisinopril, rosiglitazone, and zidovudine, which may help stabilize genomic integrity to prolong life expectancy 2
  • Metformin, which has been shown to improve healthspan and extend lifespan in some studies, although the evidence is still controversial 3

Mechanisms of Action

These medications may work through various mechanisms, including:

  • Activating AMPK, which can help regulate cellular energy metabolism and promote longevity 2
  • Inhibiting mTOR, which can help reduce cellular stress and promote lifespan 2
  • Activating DAF-16, which can help regulate cellular stress and promote longevity 2
  • Stabilizing genomic integrity, which can help reduce the risk of age-related diseases 2
  • Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which can help promote healthspan and extend lifespan 3

Lifestyle Interventions

In addition to medications, certain lifestyle interventions may also help promote healthy aging and longevity, including:

  • Calorie restriction, which has been shown to increase lifespan and improve healthspan in some studies 4
  • Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote healthy aging 5

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Anti-ageing effects of FDA-approved medicines: a focused review.

Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 2023

Research

Calorie Restriction and Aging in Humans.

Annual review of nutrition, 2020

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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