Condition
Aging
Aging is the buildup of cell damage over time, as energy production slows and muscle and skin repair less well. The evidence is strongest, though still limited, for essential amino acids, which trials found may have modestly improved physical function in older adults, and for Terminalia chebula, which reduced facial wrinkles in women. The wrinkle result came from one small trial, and amino acid gains were small, mostly in older adults with health conditions.
Sources: PMID 29508691; PMID 36836126
- Updated
- How we grade
- 12 studies cited
- Supplements studied
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 5
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Aging and UV Protection In vitro and cosmetic studies demonstrate idebenone has potent antioxidant activity relevant to skin protection (PMID:18482011). Advanced delivery systems (solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers) improve skin permeation (PMID:22234598, PMID:22659127). Topical idebenone is used commercially in anti-aging formulations. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 5 studies | |||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Function in Elderly A systematic review and meta-analysis (Cheng et al. 2018, 39 RCTs, 4,274 participants) found that protein and EAA supplements may improve physical function in older adults with acute or chronic conditions, with EAAs being the most effective supplement type. Small beneficial effects were observed even without concurrent rehabilitation exercise. However, only 7 studies had low risk of bias, and no effect of supplementation was found on any outcomes when examining high-quality evidence alone. Undernourished elderly individuals benefitted most. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 3 studies | 4,274 people | ||
Studies that measured physical function in elderly
| ||||||
Terminalia Chebula
- Skin Aging: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Aging A double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in healthy females found 250 mg T. chebula extract (Synastol TC) twice daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced facial wrinkles by 4.3%, decreased forehead sebum excretion by 33% in high-sebum subjects, and reduced cheek erythema compared to placebo. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 50 people | ||
GlyNAC
- Grip Strength: improves
- Gait Speed: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grip Strength A single open-label trial in 8 aging HIV patients with 8 matched controls found improved grip strength after 12 weeks of GlyNAC supplementation, with benefits diminishing during the 8-week washout period. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 16 people | ||
Studies that measured grip strength | ||||||
| Gait Speed A single open-label trial in 8 aging HIV patients found improved gait speed after 12 weeks of GlyNAC supplementation. Benefits reversed after supplementation ceased, suggesting ongoing use is needed. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 16 people | ||
Jojoba
- Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis | 2 studies | |||||
Studies that measured collagen & hyaluronic acid synthesis | ||||||
Key findings
- Skin Aging and UV ProtectionChanges; see studies
- Physical Function in ElderlyImproves (the measure goes up)
- Skin AgingImproves (the measure goes down)
Safety notes in the studies
- However, only 7 studies had low risk of bias, and no effect of supplementation was found on any outcomes when examining high-quality evidence alone.
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Studies cited
12 studies from PubMed
- Topical application of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) wax enhances the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid and reduces inflammation in the ex-vivo human skin organ culture model
- Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Supplementation with Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts Reduces Facial Sebum Excretion, Erythema, and Wrinkle Severity.
- Supplementing Glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Aging HIV Patients Improves Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction, Insulin Resistance, Genotoxicity, Strength, and Cognition: Results of an Open-Label Clinical Trial
- Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training and Essential Amino Acid Supplementation for 24 Weeks on Physical Function, Body Composition, and Muscle Metabolism in Healthy, Independent Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of protein and amino acid supplements in older adults with acute or chronic conditions
- Effective translation of current dietary guidance: understanding and communicating the concepts of minimal and optimal levels of dietary protein.
- Idebenone-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery to the skin: in vitro evaluation.
- Nanostructured lipid carriers improve skin permeation and chemical stability of idebenone.
- Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study
- Pharmacokinetic evaluation of idebenone.
- Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of idebenone in healthy male subjects.
- Determination of the antioxidative capacity of an antioxidant complex and idebenone: an in vitro rapid and sensitive method.