Can supplements extend mouse lifespan?
Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists fed different compounds to mice starting at middle age (12 months) to see if any extended their lives. Astaxanthin (a red pigment from algae) and meclizine (an allergy drug) made male mice live longer, but female mice did not benefit. Five other compounds tested did not help mice live longer.
Surprising Findings
Female mice got ZERO lifespan benefit from both astaxanthin and meclizine
Most longevity research assumes effects translate equally to both sexes. This sex-specific effect is unusual and raises questions about whether existing supplement recommendations are appropriate for women.
Practical Takeaways
Don't take fisetin expecting lifespan extension based on this study
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists fed different compounds to mice starting at middle age (12 months) to see if any extended their lives. Astaxanthin (a red pigment from algae) and meclizine (an allergy drug) made male mice live longer, but female mice did not benefit. Five other compounds tested did not help mice live longer.
Surprising Findings
Female mice got ZERO lifespan benefit from both astaxanthin and meclizine
Most longevity research assumes effects translate equally to both sexes. This sex-specific effect is unusual and raises questions about whether existing supplement recommendations are appropriate for women.
Practical Takeaways
Don't take fisetin expecting lifespan extension based on this study
Publication
Journal
GeroScience
Year
2023
Authors
David E. Harrison, Randy Strong, Peter C. Reifsnyder, Nadia Rosenthal, R. Korstanje, Elizabeth Fernandez, K. Flurkey, Brett C. Ginsburg, Meredith D. Murrell, M. Javors, M. Lopez-Cruzan, James F Nelson, Bradley J. Willcox, R. Allsopp, David M. Watumull, David G. Watumull, G. Cortopassi, James L Kirkland, T. Tchkonia, Young Geun Choi, Matthew J. Yousefzadeh, P. D. Robbins, James R Mitchell, Murat Acar, E. A. Sarnoski, Michael R Bene, Adam B Salmon, Navasuja Kumar, Richard A. Miller
Related Content
Claims (9)
A government research program called the Interventions Testing Program shares all its study results—whether good or bad. But supplement companies usually hide bad news about their products because it might hurt sales.
Scientists gave mice or other lab animals food with three different supplements, but accidentally gave much smaller amounts than they planned. Even with less supplement, two of them (astaxanthin and meclizine) still made the animals live longer.
Scientists gave a red pigment called astaxanthin (found in salmon and shrimp) to older mice and found they lived about 12% longer than mice that didn't get it - that's like a person living an extra 8-10 years.
A common antihistamine called meclizine was given to mice, and it helped them live about 8% longer on average. The mice started getting the drug when they were middle-aged (equivalent to about 40 in human years), and scientists confirmed this result was statistically meaningful.
Two supplements—astaxanthin and meclizine—helped male mice live longer, but female mice didn't get the same benefit when given the same amounts.