Facial rejuvenation treatments and body contouring procedures can help you reverse many of the common signs of aging. Whether you want to reduce wrinkles or get rid of excess fat, you have several safe and effective treatment options to choose from.

Still, maintaining results and staying healthy for the long-term requires a diligent effort to eat healthy and exercise regularly as well; anti aging supplements can support your health and fitness goals by improving the body from inside out.   

Do You Really Need Anti Aging Supplements?  

Taking anti aging supplements that contain key ingredients such as CoQ10, amino acid complexes and enzymes that you aren’t finding in your everyday foods offers several health and wellness benefits, and many topical products contain various concentrations of these ingredients to promote healthy skin cell production and repair. Vitamins, minerals and enzymes can all help the body repair and heal itself naturally, and you’ll find several key ingredients such as alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine and tyrosine in many fitness and dietary supplements on the market today.  

However, ‘too much of a good thing’ can make it difficult to get the results you need; an anti aging doctor can determine which nutrients really are missing from your diet, and help you outline a healthy supplementation program for your specific needs. You can be tested for allergies, nutritional deficiencies and even hormonal imbalances to make sure you're taking only what your body needs.  

Important Tests from Your Anti Aging Doctor  

A consultation with an anti aging specialist may involve a series of in-office and at-home tests to determine your current level of health, and ensure that you are aging in a healthy way. Since supplements are not a ‘quick fix’ solution for any health issue, making sure you are maintaining a well-balanced diet and consistent exercise regiment are essential elements of your anti-aging strategy.    Your anti-aging specialist may require you to take the following tests:  

Hormone testing – Dr. Dana Myatt, a natural health physician and longevity expert recommends sex hormone testing to ensure that the hormones are in balance and will not work against any new supplements that are added to the diet. Estrogen and testosterone production can be significantly affected by several vitamins, minerals and enzymes.  

Organic acid testing – these tests are conducted through urine samples, and will determine if you really are deficient in nutrients, and whether you’ll benefit from additional supplementation. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone needs to add Omega-3 fatty acids or alpha lipoic acids to their daily diet.  

Thyroid testing – thyroid disorders can be the culprit behind several problems associated with aging, including weight gain, thinning hair and even hot flashes. Iodine testing can determine whether you need to balance out thyroid hormone production, and can help you better fine-tune your supplementation program.  

Allergy testing – many people don’t realize they have food or supplement allergies until they start supplementing their diet with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and hormones. Allergic reactions can trigger a variety of health problems, so a simple allergy test for the most common food and supplement allergies can help you steer clear of harmful ingredients.  

Anti Aging Supplements – Do Your Research  

It’s also important to do research on each of the supplements you plan to take to determine what benefits you can expect, and whether there is real science – not marketing hype – behind the product. K. Sreekumarain Nair, M.D., an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota provides some insight on DHEA, a common ‘anti-aging’ supplement promoted heavily by beauty and skincare companies.   

Dr. Nair explains that, “(if) aging-related changes are due to declining DHEA levels, then taking DHEA supplements to maintain levels seen in younger people should slow the aging process. But there's no evidence to support this.”  (Source: MayoClinic).

Reviewing authoritative research studies on the effects of each supplement and learning about the potential drawbacks and side effects of anti aging supplements is essential for your long-term health.  

Learn more about anti aging treatments and nutritional therapy in our information guide, or consult with an anti-aging specialist in your area to get started on your own anti-aging supplement program.