Evidence Review
Supplement & Ingredient Profiles
What the research actually shows — mechanism, dosing, and safety for the supplements most relevant to adults 40 and older.
Strong Evidence
Also known as: creatine monohydrate, Cr, creatine phosphate
Creatine monohydrate helps replenish phosphocreatine, the rapid energy reserve used during hard muscular effort. Its strongest healthy-aging use is supporting resistance training quality, lean mass, and strength in adults trying to preserve function.
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Strong Evidence
Also known as: magnesium bisglycinate, chelated magnesium
Magnesium glycinate is a chelated magnesium form often chosen for daily repletion because it is usually gentler on the gut than cheaper forms. The aging use case is filling a real magnesium gap, not using it as a cure-all.
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Strong Evidence
Also known as: cholecalciferol, vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D
Vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption, bone health, muscle function, nerve signaling, and immune function. The strongest human utility is testing, correcting low status, and staying inside a safe monitored range.
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Moderate Evidence
Also known as: menaquinone-7, MK-7, vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 MK-7 is a long-chain menaquinone used in many D3 plus K2 products. It belongs in the calcium-handling conversation because vitamin K helps activate proteins tied to clotting and bone metabolism.
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Moderate Evidence
Also known as: Curcumin, Curcuma longa, Indian saffron
Turmeric is a culinary rhizome; curcumin is its best-known concentrated compound. The practical issue is not the spice alone, but whether a supplement uses a form that humans absorb and whether the goal is realistic.
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Moderate Evidence
Also known as: Ginger extract, Zingiber officinale
Ginger is a culinary rhizome used as food and as a supplement. Its clearest human utility is nausea support and digestive comfort, with weaker evidence for many broader anti-inflammatory claims.
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Moderate Evidence
Also known as: Korean ginseng, Asian ginseng, Ginseng
Panax ginseng is an Asian ginseng root used in traditional medicine and modern supplements. The better human-growth use is cautious fatigue and cognition context, not broad anti-aging claims.
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Limited Evidence
Also known as: Ginkgo, EGb 761
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is heavily marketed for brain health, but the strongest user value is knowing where the claims are weak. NCCIH states there is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition.
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Limited Evidence
Also known as: Rhodiola, Golden root, Arctic root
Rhodiola rosea is marketed as an adaptogen for stress and fatigue. Its most useful aging-site role is a measured explanation of uncertainty, short-term safety, and medication cautions.
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Limited Evidence
Also known as: Hawthorn, Crataegus
Hawthorn is a cardiovascular botanical with a long traditional-use history, but modern evidence is limited and safety context is important. This is not a weight-loss ingredient and not a substitute for heart care.
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