13 Anti-Aging Supplements to Turn You Into Benjamin Button

It’s no secret that I plan to live 180, and my anti-aging supplement stack is one of the ways I’m going to make that happen. Too many people think that aging involves forgetting your name and leaving your car keys in the fridge. It doesn’t have to be that way. Specific anti-aging supplements help you turn back the clock so you can keep kicking butt and taking names for years to come. Here are my top recommendations to keep your brain going strong.

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13 best anti-aging supplements

1. Nicotinamide riboside

One thing you’ll notice with almost all of these recommendations is that they increase how well your mitochondria function — you know, the powerhouses of your cells. Nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B, is a great option to experiment with. It protects your brain from toxins and stress and increases the ratio of two essential compounds called NAD+ and NADH.^[1] [2] Your body uses NAD+ to protect your cells, maintain healthy sleep cycles, and repair damaged DNA.

How to take it: In this episode of the Bulletproof Radio podcast, I talk about my experience using nicotinamide riboside. I found that you need to take a lot of it, like 1-2 grams, in order to really feel an effect. If the cost of nicotinamide riboside is prohibitive, you have other options — like Unfair Advantage, which is designed to repair and improve mitochondrial efficiency.

2. Fisetin

Fisetin is a plant chemical with profound antioxidant properties. Like other antioxidants, it decreases inflammation and makes your cells more efficient. Anti-aging scientists have found that it prevents cancer cells from spreading, particularly breast cancer.^{[3] [4] [5]} It even slows down aging: In a rodent study, mice that ate fisetin daily lived about 10% longer and their quality of life improved.^[6] That’s a big deal for Mickey, but an even bigger deal for humans — a 10% increase in longevity means living to 110 instead of 100, and actually being healthy enough to enjoy your old age.

How to take it: Smart Mode contains fisetin, plus a blend of cognitive-enhancing ingredients for total mental clarity. Fisetin is also found naturally in apples, persimmons, onions, and other plants,^[7] but you can get an abundant dose of fisetin in strawberries. Try this Bulletproof strawberry milkshake with collagen protein. Speaking of collagen protein …

3. Collagen protein

Collagen protein may seem like an obvious addition, but it’s worth repeating. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It gives structure to your skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissue. It reduces wrinkles and improves the elasticity of your skin,^[8] and it even helps you at night because it naturally packs a dose of glycine, an amino acid that supports a more restful sleep.^[9] You produce less collagen as you age, so you want to eat more of it. Collagen protein has too many benefits to keep it out of your anti-aging supplement stack.

How to take it: Collagen is naturally found in bone broth; pork, salmon, and chicken skins; egg yolk and eggshell membranes; and the bits and pieces of beef you don’t normally find in Western diets, like tendon, tripe, and oxtail. You probably don’t eat enough of it, so use a collagen supplement from grass-fed cows. Learn more about how collagen supplements work.

4. Acetyl-L-carnitine

Also known as ALC or ALCAR, this brain-enhancing amino acid works by crossing the blood-brain barrier and acting as a powerful antioxidant. Studies have found that it improves brain function, lowers inflammation, improves blood flow, raises mental and physical energy, and even improves your focus.^{[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]}

How to take it: Start with one gram per day and work your way up to two grams per day. Read more about Acetyl-L-carnitine benefits.

5. Whey protein

Whey protein isn’t just for bodybuilders. It gives your liver all the amino acids it needs to build glutathione,^[16] [17] your body’s master antioxidant. Here’s why that’s a major benefit. Glutathione helps your liver neutralize toxins (from your environment, food, and cells) that would have otherwise made you weak. It supports your all-important mitochondria, and it also boosts immunity and brain function.

Whey protein is an easy supplement to incorporate into your anti-aging stack, which is why I recommend it. It’s like collagen protein: You’d be missing out on a huge opportunity to turn back the clock by not taking it.

How to take it: Even though you can find whey protein in basically any grocery store, be picky with your protein. Avoid whey protein isolate. The heating and refinement process destroys key nutrients, making it pretty useless — and it doesn’t support glutathione production.

Instead, choose cold-processed, undenatured, grass-fed whey protein, and don’t heat it before eating it. Use two tablespoons per day, or up to four if you’re working out. Learn more about how to choose the best protein powder for your body.

6. PQQ

Pyrroloquinoline quinone, or PQQ, is at the forefront of anti-aging science. It’s a micronutrient that acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells from damaging free radicals and improving your brain and heart. Studies show that PQQ improves learning and memory, protects your heart, and reduces inflammation.^{[18] [19] [20]} It’s naturally found in some foods like green tea and green peppers,^[21] but to reap its anti-aging benefits, take it in supplement form so you get a high enough dose that actually absorbs into your bloodstream.

How to take it: The main ingredient in Unfair Advantage is ActivePQQ, which is specifically designed to improve PQQ absorption by working with a nutrient called co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 enhances cellular energy production in your mitochondria, which gives you a mental and physical boost.^[22] Take one ampule up to four times per day.

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7. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are antioxidants that are naturally found in brightly colored foods like red cabbage, cacao, blueberries, and coffee. They protect your brain from stress and free radical damage, enhance learning and memory, and slow down brain aging — which means they’re a big deal for anti-aging.^{[23] [24] [25] [26]}

However, you’d have to eat a wide range of plants every day to reap as many benefits from polyphenols as possible. While you should eat a wide variety of brightly colored vegetables anyway, a broad-spectrum polyphenol supplement will give you more bang for your buck — and it’s way more efficient than loading up on a bushel of red cabbage.

How to take it: Polyphenomenal 2.0 contains 1,770mg per serving of 10 different polyphenol-rich berries and botanicals. Take four capsules daily.

8. Keto Prime

Bad news: Stress is everywhere. Your brain releases a neurotransmitter called glutamate in response to stress and common environmental toxins, like pesticides. Glutamate can make you feel unfocused, foggy, and definitely not Bulletproof. In rodent studies, researchers found that a compound called oxaloacetate (OAA) protects rodents from glutamate-induced brain damage.^[27] OAA is the active ingredient in KetoPrime, and it’s a great way to give your brain a boost by increasing mitochondrial energy production. OAA actually mimics the effect of calorie restriction, which boosts the production of mitochondria. That means more energy, more focus, and a more awesome you.

How to take it: One KetoPrime lozenge, taken up to five times per day as needed.

9. D-Ribose

Also called ribose, D-ribose is pretty sweet — and that’s not just because it’s a simple sugar. Your body metabolizes D-ribose differently than other sugars. It’s used to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy-carrying molecule in your cells. What does that have to do with anti-aging? D-ribose increases ATP levels in your heart cells, which strengthens your heart so it can keep pumping strong.^[28]

How to take it: MitoSweet is a Bulletproof alternative sweetener made with D-ribose. Use it 1:1 like regular table sugar in your coffee or baked goods. Try this keto caramel sauce for a decadent treat.

10. Zinc and copper

Zinc and copper are important on their own, but I take them together because they complement each other so well. Zinc supports healthy immune function, energy production, and mood. When it’s paired with copper, it forms a powerful antioxidant called copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). Most people are deficient in copper,^[29] so you should consider adding it to your supplement stack anyway. That’s a win in my book.

How to take it: Take one capsule of Bulletproof Zinc with Copper daily. Don’t take it with meals and supplements containing iron, calcium, and phytates — they can decrease your body’s absorption of zinc.

11. Vitamins A-D-K

Vitamins A, D, and K work together to support your immune system, heart, and bones. Here’s why: vitamin D acts on over 1,000 different genes, assists in calcium metabolism and bone formation, and reduces inflammation. Vitamin K helps transport calcium from your bloodstream into your bones. Vitamin A works with vitamin D to support your immune system. Think of them as a triple-threat to combat aging.

How to take it: Take one softgel of Vitamins A-D-K daily with food.

12. Curcumin

Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that gives the root its vibrant yellow color. It blocks the production of inflammatory cells and proteins. Here’s why that’s a big deal: Chronic inflammation puts you at risk of serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Inflammation is caused by a variety of triggers, like stress, gut imbalances, environmental toxins, and inflammatory foods (looking at you, gluten). Although you could theoretically eat a ton of turmeric root to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin, you’re better off using a curcumin supplement.

How to take it: Two softgels daily of Bulletproof Curcumin Max, with food.

13. Apigenin

Apigenin is the same compound found in uber-trendy celery juice, which improves digestion by helping move food through your gut.^[30] Yum.  Apigenin also helps protect your cells and preserve brain structure and function by reducing inflammation.^{[31] [32] [33]}

How to take it: Apigenin is an ingredient in Bulletproof Smart Mode. Take three softgels daily — no celery juice required.

What about other anti-aging supplements?

This list is based on my own experience, and this isn’t to say that all other anti-aging supplements are bogus. Actually, there’s one obvious exception I’ll make here: anti-aging supplements made from endangered animals are totally bogus. Seriously. There’s no known mechanism of action to support powdered rhinoceros horn, and it’s enormously unethical and gross.

Broadly speaking, everyone has different biochemical makeups, which means your results may vary. Do your research, make sure you’re getting your supplements from a reputable source that is totally transparent about their ingredients, and set yourself up for success. What do I mean? Well, these are just supplements, which means they should supplement the actions you’re already taking to support your health. To start, get high-quality sleep, follow a low-toxin, nutrient-dense diet like the Bulletproof Diet, and reduce stress, to start.

Yeah, those aren’t pills, but they’re so important that you need to treat them like the foundation of your anti-aging stack. Everything else is just an extra boost to give your brain, body, and mitochondria an edge.

When you feel yourself perform at a state of high performance, you’re going to want to continue hitting that level. If you want to learn more about how to upgrade your mitochondria for more energy and increased biological performance, check out the guided Bulletproof 30 Day Upgrade Challenge. It’s an easy, intuitive, and approachable way to start upgrading your life so you can be Bulletproof, one day at a time.