The 3 best health supplements for anti-ageing
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(Disclaimer: individual experiences might vary, and these supplements might also cause side effects, so please consult your dermatologist before you start using any product, and what dose you should take in...)
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
One of the best known supplements in the anti-ageing world right now is NMN, short for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide. NMN is a precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule that plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and DNA repair.
As we age, NAD+ levels decline, which is linked to fatigue, slower metabolism, and increased risk of age-related diseases.
How it helps:
By supplementing with NMN, you can help restore NAD+ levels in your body. This supports healthier mitochondria (the 'powerhouses' of your cells), boosts energy, and may even improve cognitive function. Some studies suggest NMN can help slow down the ageing process at a cellular level, making it a favourite among longevity enthusiasts.
How to use:
NMN is typically taken as a capsule or powder. Most people start with 250-500mg per day, but consult a doctor first
Poll
Do you believe that supplements can help in slowing down the ageing process?
Yes, definitely! No, I don't think so.
Collagen Peptides
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, providing structure to our skin, hair, nails, and joints. Unfortunately, collagen production naturally declines with age, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint discomfort.
How it helps:
Supplementing with collagen peptides can help replenish your body's collagen stores.
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Research shows that taking collagen can improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and support joint health. It's also beneficial for strengthening hair and nails, making it a true beauty-from-within supplement.
How to use
Collagen peptides are easy to add to your routine-they dissolve in hot or cold liquids and are virtually tasteless. Aim for 5-10 grams daily, mixed into your morning coffee, smoothie, or even soup.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid found in microalgae, salmon, and shrimp. It's known for its powerful antioxidant properties, which help protect your cells from oxidative stress-a major contributor to ageing.
How it helps
Astaxanthin is up to 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C in fighting free radicals. It's been shown to improve skin moisture, elasticity, and even reduce age spots.
Beyond skin benefits, astaxanthin supports eye health, boosts endurance, and may protect against cognitive decline.
How to use
Astaxanthin is available as a softgel or capsule, with a typical daily dose ranging from 4-12mg. Consistency is key, as benefits build up over time.
What else can you do?
Apart from using these supplements, here's what you can do to take care of your skin
Keep it hydrated: Drinking enough water keeps your skin smooth and supple
Take care of your diet: Cut out all sorts of junk food, sugar, and fried food from your diet.
Keep it moisturised: Dry skin can cause premature ageing. Keep your skin moisturised.
Less is more: When it comes to makeup, less is always more. And never, ever sleep with your makeup on.
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News18
30-06-2025
- News18
Shefali Jariwala Took an Anti-Ageing Shot Before She Collapsed—Are These Treatments Fatal?
Last Updated: The tragic death of Shefali Jariwala has spotlighted the hidden risks of unsupervised anti-ageing treatments like glutathione and vitamin C injections The tragic and untimely death of actor-model Shefali Jariwala on the night of June 27 has left the entertainment industry in mourning and raised serious questions about the long-term health risks of anti-ageing treatments. While the exact cause of death is still under investigation, early reports indicate that Shefali had been on a regular regimen of anti-ageing injections, including glutathione and vitamin C, for nearly a decade. A source close to the family revealed that she took one such injection on the day of her death, despite fasting for a religious ritual, and collapsed hours later. As police and forensic experts investigate further, glutathione injections, vitamin C ampoules, and acidity pills have reportedly been recovered from her residence. This tragic case is now prompting a deeper examination into the world of anti-ageing drugs, particularly the growing popularity of intravenous treatments among celebrities and influencers. According to Dr. Aashna Kanchwala, Celebrity Cosmetologist & Aesthetic Physician, the pressure to stay camera-ready pushes many celebrities to embrace treatments that go beyond topical skincare. 'While skincare routines are a given, many famous personalities take it a step further with treatments and supplements that promise to slow down the ageing process," says Dr. Kanchwala. 'Botox and fillers are among the most common, relaxing facial muscles and restoring volume for a youthful look." She adds that NAD+ therapy, taken via IV or injections, is growing in popularity for its cell-repairing, energy-boosting benefits. Human Growth Hormone (HGH), though controversial, is used for enhancing skin texture, muscle tone, and vitality. Glutathione and collagen supplements, either in pills or injectables, are often used for skin brightening and detoxification, despite limited regulation. Dr. Debeshi, Medical Head & Founder, Lueur Aesthetics, lists several popular choices seen in celebrity wellness routines: 'Treatments like NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) and Resveratrol are known for boosting cellular energy and longevity. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C infusions are widely used for improving skin elasticity and hydration. Injectable procedures like Morpheus8 and Forma offer non-surgical skin tightening and rejuvenation." She emphasizes that while injectables like Botox and dermal fillers are mainstays in Hollywood, they should always be administered under medical supervision. What About Internal Ageing? Dr. Piyusha Bhagde, Founder and Chief Dermatologist, Skin Ethics Clinic, Akola, stresses the importance of understanding that ageing happens both externally and internally. 'External ageing can be managed with sunscreen, topical retinols, peptides, and antioxidants," she says. 'But internal ageing requires boosting cell metabolism with oral anti-ageing supplements like marine collagen, astaxanthin, CoQ10, resveratrol, curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, and the latest, NAD+." She adds that injectable drips often cocktails of glutathione, vitamin C, and NAD+ are increasingly popular but carry risks when self-administered or poorly monitored. Additionally, advanced injectables like HA boosters, PDRN, exosomes, and PN are now being used to stimulate natural collagen and improve skin tone and texture. The Glutathione Question: How Safe Is It? Glutathione has become a buzzword in celebrity skincare, but it's not without concern. While oral and topical forms are generally considered safe, IV glutathione carries serious risks, including anaphylactic reactions and liver toxicity. A 2022 study published in Cureus highlights the lack of standardized dosing and insufficient clinical data on long-term safety. The same study calls for larger trials and warns against casual use without medical oversight. Can These Treatments Affect the Heart? While not all anti-ageing treatments pose direct cardiac threats, the combination of multiple supplements and injectables, especially in individuals with underlying health issues or during fasting or physical stress, may strain the body. High doses of vitamin C via IV can influence electrolyte balance and, in rare cases, impact heart rhythm. Glutathione injections may influence liver enzymes, and when paired with other metabolic boosters, could overstimulate the body. While anti-ageing treatments promise a youthful glow, they are not without risks—especially when misused or taken without supervision. The case of Shefali Jariwala is a sobering reminder that even well-known and widely used beauty treatments can have serious consequences when not administered responsibly. As Dr. Aashna Kanchwala rightly sums up, 'These treatments aren't one-size-fits-all. What works wonders for one person may be harmful to another. Supervised care is not optional—it's essential." Before choosing anti-ageing therapies, consult qualified medical professionals, and remember: youthful skin is good, but long-term health is better. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Indian Express
Shefali Jariwala sudden death: Why anti-ageing medication, IV glutathione and Botox use should be under the scanner
What triggered sudden cardiac arrest in actor-performer Shefali Jariwala is the question that's on everybody's mind, especially after police found evidence of self-medication. Among the things bandied about in media reports are that she took anti-ageing pills and relied on skin improvement treatments like glutathione. Generally, most reports argue that she had built a drug dependency, and on a day she was fasting, she had reacted to something that may have sent her body into allergic shock, causing sudden death. But is that the real story? The real story that nobody wants to talk about is the pressure that social media exerts on prioritising agelessness, the extent of obsession that drives people to resort to all sorts of bio hacks being peddled online instead of going to a doctor, a greedy and unregulated supplement industry which peddles 'safe' ways to stop the wrinkles and an appearance-conscious world which imposes new standards of acceptance every day. 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'Users buy them on the basis of the label's declared promises as a safe beauty product. The platform aggregator is least concerned about the concentration of their ingredients or their side effects. Users go to the local skin clinic and get them administered. They wouldn't even know that they would have to seek prompt medical attention if something goes awry,' he warns.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Mint
Why everyone is chasing the Shilajit high
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'It's limiting its benefits," Singh says. 'It has over 80 trace minerals, and if used the right way, its benefits can go beyond gender." At 48, Mumbai-based film director Abhishek Agnihotri hit a health crisis. He experienced bouts of dizziness and blurred vision that baffled multiple specialists—cardiologists, internists, even psychiatrists. Despite numerous tests, no one could offer a clear diagnosis. His vitals were mostly normal, barring high blood pressure, which stabilised with medication — yet the symptoms persisted. 'At one point, I decided to start my own research. Doctors gave me pills and more pills. But why was I feeling so out of whack?" Agnihotri says. He turned to Instagram. Doctor influencers, in particular, Gary Brecka and Eric Berg, gave him clues for further testing. Agnihotri decided to navigate the rabbit hole of nutrient deficiencies, metabolism and the integrative axis of midlife biology, environment and mental and emotional stress. Tests revealed several atypical markers, including low testosterone. A year and many consultations later, he found a protocol that helped him feel like himself again. Besides regular exercise, a diet and lifestyle overhaul, and a set of supplements to address mineral deficiencies, which included Shilajit. 'After about six months, my blood markers were at a normal range. Testosterone came back up to a 300-plus. I can't say for sure it was just because of Shilajit. But it has its role to play in the entire protocol. Everything worked together," Agnihotri says. He takes a pea-sized dose of Kapiva Shilajit resin at night, along with Ashwagandha and Moringa. So what really is this sticky pale-brown to blackish-brown herbal biomass from the Himalayas and Hindukush ranges that people the world over are spending their money on? Why is Shilajit now a TikTok favourite and a wellness influencer's go-to content for vitality? The myth of the rejuvenator It is a complex mixture of organic humic substances and plant and microbial metabolites occurring in the rock rhizospheres of its natural habitat. In Ayurvedic texts, it is categorised as a rasayana—a rejuvenator that enhances the quality of plasma and, in turn, tissues, and prolongs life by healing and preventing disease. Its literal Sanskrit meaning: conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness. 'Joh mritak ko zinda kar de, woh Shilajit hai (what brings the dead to life is Shilajit)," says Ajay Sharma, a 67-year-old Ayurvedic physician from Lucknow. Disproportionate to the hype around it, scientific studies on Shilajit are limited. Also Read: Move over K-Beauty. Ayurveda beauty is here Ancient pedigree, modern problems A handful of studies, mostly done in the US, extol its benefits. But many come with the caveat that, being an exudate of various mountainous plants and rock surfaces, unpurified Shilajit could contain lead and toxic heavy metals. 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Omkar Kulkarni, an Ayurvedic doctor and chief formulator at Panchamrit Ayurveda, says their signature product, an effervescent Shilajit composite, infused with other herbs like Ashwagandha and Gokshura, is priced at ₹600 for 15 units (tablets). Shilajit prices vary in India from ₹999 to ₹6,500 for a 15-40 gm pack. Also Read: Confused by wellness trends? Some common sense advice to cut through the noise From the Himalayas to the studios In the West, Shilajit has found its way into elite wellness regimens. One of the first wellness coaches to discuss its properties in the Western world was the founder of the California-based company Cymbiotika Chervin Jafarieh. 'In addition to sustained energy, Shilajit has wide-ranging benefits from building resilience to stress, sleep normalization, digestion, mood balancing, and joint wellness, which is why it's an essential product in many of our bundles," Jafarieh has said. Cymbiotika charges $67 for 15 grams of its resin, and its website asks customers to join the waitlist for its forthcoming liquid formulation. Jafarieh once coached tennis champion Novak Djokovic, known for his unconventional health choices. In Hollywood, actors Robert Downey Jr. and Ashton Kutcher have openly endorsed Shilajit. In India, actor Sonu Sood and cricketer Hardik Pandya have also promoted its benefits. The Nugenix Shilajit capsules, also an American brand, are marketed for 'total testosterone boost" and cost $53 for 120 capsules. Also Read: Magnesium mania: Startups get to ride a new wellness craze. But is it all hype? No one-size-fits-all Priyanka Oka, 34, a Pune-based Ayurvedic practitioner and consultant with the Healing Hands integrative health clinic, says Shilajit is one of the most potent medicines of Ayurveda with a high concentration of fulvic acid and humic acid. 'We mostly use Shilajit as a catalyst… It enhances the properties of other medicines while also doing its bit," she says. Dosage depends on every patient's unique biology. 'Shilajit creates a lot of heat in the body, and for some people, like those with an active kidney disease, it can have adverse effects," Oka says. 'I wouldn't recommend more than 1 gram of Shilajit per day from a trusted brand." Though a Western medicine doctor is unlikely to prescribe Shilajit, some see value in a complementary approach. Delhi-based cardiologist and functional medicine specialist Alok Chopra says, 'Ayurveda is a part of our Indian culture and is a powerful tool. Having said that, it has its own limitations. It may be a somewhat limited science, but I often work with Ayurvedic doctors to help my patients with specific needs." "Faith is an important part of any treatment, and if one accepts this without doubt, it would help." Long-time users like Annie Kohli, 73, a Mumbai-based agriculture and plant medicine entrepreneur, swear by its benefits. She began taking Shilajit in her late 60s after feeling a dip in stamina. 'I take Shilajit, the resin form, dissolved in warm water every morning. I take it for a month, then stop for two months, and then take for another month, according to my Ayurvedic doctor's prescription. I am as energetic as I was in my 50s," Kohli says. Deepa Kannan, an ayurveda and functional medicine expert based in Tamil Nadu, cites Ayurvedic texts to list its benefits: rejuvenative, improves sexual potency, helps boost intellect, alleviates painful urination, scrapes toxins from tissues, heals bones. It all depends on the individual on whom it is used. The next time your gym trainer suggests you start Shilajit as a precursor to your workout, consider a deep dive into your own biology. A sensible lesson from the blistering hype around this ancient elixir is this: Whether you are a man, a woman, or any other combination of genders, Shilajit only works when you know your singular requirement for it. Ayurveda is not an exact science; prescriptions are not based on large-scale clinical trials. An Ayurvedic approach is more complex and holistic, and its enduring quality is that it treats an individual, not symptoms. Take Harpreet Vir Singh of YHL, for instance. He doesn't position Shilajit as a miracle cure, just one part of a longer journey. He tracks how his body feels with and without it. He knows what he's trying to achieve. His grandmother lived to 98, and he wants to aim for that. "But with more mobility and exuberance than my grandmother could imagine in her 90s." Sanjukta Sharma is a Mumbai-based journalist, and founder of the wellness and health IP, @the_slow_fix.
