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
- 74 studies cited
- Supplements studied
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 6
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 | ||
Studies that measured skin aging | ||||||
Jojoba
- Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis In an ex vivo human skin organ culture model, topical jojoba wax enhanced synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid. Separately, in vitro work showed jojoba liquid wax stimulated collagen I production in human dermal fibroblasts. These findings suggest potential anti-aging skin effects, though no human clinical trials have been conducted. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured collagen & hyaluronic acid synthesis | ||||||
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 | ||
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
74 studies from PubMed
- Efficacy and Safety of Glutathione Supplementation in Patients with HIV Infection and HIV-Tuberculosis Co-Infection
- Understanding Dietary Protein Quality: Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Scores and Beyond.
- Sex Differences in Response to Diet Enriched With Glutathione Precursors in the Aging Heart
- Consideration of the role of protein quality in determining dietary protein recommendations.
- 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
- Comprehensive review on fruit of Terminalia chebula: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics
- International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Terminalia chebula extract on skin health parameters
- Seaweed proteins are nutritionally valuable components in the human diet.
- GlyNAC (Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine) Supplementation Improves Impaired Mitochondrial Fuel Oxidation and Lowers Insulin Resistance in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Results of a Pilot Study
- Cytoprotective Effect of Idebenone through Modulation of the Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway of Apoptosis in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide.
- A pilot study of idebenone in the treatment of patients with hereditary myopathies.
- Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: new and emerging therapies.
- Developments in the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
- A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz
- GlyNAC Supplementation Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Aging Hallmarks, Metabolic Defects, Muscle Strength, Cognitive Decline, and Body Composition: Implications for Healthy Aging
- Therapeutic Potential and Immunomodulatory Role of Coenzyme Q(10) and Its Analogues in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.
- Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurological diseases.
- Ameliorative effects of jojoba oil on fipronil-induced hepatorenal- and neuro-toxicity: the antioxidant status and apoptotic markers expression in rats
- Anti-Herpes Simplex 1 Activity of Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Wax
- Essential Amino Acids and Protein Synthesis: Insights into Maximizing the Muscle and Whole-Body Response to Feeding
- 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
- Esculetin and idebenone ameliorate galactose-induced cataract in a rat model.
- Idebenone Has Distinct Effects on Mitochondrial Respiration in Cortical Astrocytes Compared to Cortical Neurons Due to Differential NQO1 Activity.
- Idebenone protects mitochondrial function against amyloid beta toxicity in primary cultured cortical neurons.
- Effect of aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula on endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study
- Anticancer activity of Terminalia chebula against lung and breast carcinoma cell lines
- 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
- Idebenone has preventative and therapeutic effects on pulmonary fibrosis via preferential suppression of fibroblast activity.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of protein and amino acid supplements in older adults with acute or chronic conditions
- Mitochondrial biogenesis and neural differentiation of human iPSC is modulated by idebenone in a developmental stage-dependent manner.
- Effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula (AyuFlex) on joint comfort, functional mobility, and related biomarkers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Anti-HSV-2 activity of Terminalia chebula fruit extract and its constituents chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid
- Both idebenone and idebenol are localized near the lipid-water interface of the membrane and increase its fluidity.
- Pharmacological effect of a new idebenone formulation in a model of carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain.
- Analgesic activity of standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula in healthy human participants using mechanical pain model
- Effective translation of current dietary guidance: understanding and communicating the concepts of minimal and optimal levels of dietary protein.
- Evaluation of the anti-plaque efficacy of a herbal-based toothpaste: a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial with Terminalia chebula mouthwash
- Analgesic activity of standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula in healthy human participants using hot air pain model
- Hepatoprotective effect of Terminalia chebula extract against t-BHP-induced acute liver injury in mice
- Wound healing efficacy of Terminalia chebula extract in burn wound model
- Clinical effectiveness of protein and amino acid supplementation on building muscle mass in elderly people: a meta-analysis
- Coenzyme Q10 as a therapy for mitochondrial disease.
- Review of clinical trials for mitochondrial disorders: 1997-2012.
- Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review
- Efficacy of Terminalia chebula rinse on salivary pH and periodontal health: a randomized controlled trial
- Antioxidants and other pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia.
- Nanostructured lipid carriers improve skin permeation and chemical stability of idebenone.
- Idebenone-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery to the skin: in vitro evaluation.
- Neuroprotective effects of Terminalia chebula on OGD-induced PC12 cell death and LPS-induced microglia activation
- Idebenone and resveratrol extend lifespan and improve motor function of HtrA2 knockout mice.
- Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study
- Pharmacokinetic evaluation of idebenone.
- Anticariogenic effect of Terminalia chebula mouthwash on Streptococcus mutans
- Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of idebenone in healthy male subjects.
- Low-dose idebenone treatment in Friedreich's ataxia with and without cardiac hypertrophy.
- Antioxidants and other pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia.
- Antioxidant protection against acoustic trauma by coadministration of idebenone and vitamin E.
- Idebenone in Friedreich's ataxia.
- Determination of the antioxidative capacity of an antioxidant complex and idebenone: an in vitro rapid and sensitive method.
- Evaluation of additive effects of hydrolyzed jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) esters and glycerol: a preliminary study
- Protective properties of idebenone in noise-induced hearing loss in the guinea pig.
- Hepatoprotective activity of Terminalia chebula against anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity
- Antidiabetic and renoprotective effects of Terminalia chebula seeds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
- Long-term glycemic control effects of Terminalia chebula in diabetic rats
- Anti-inflammatory effects of jojoba liquid wax in experimental models
- Antioxidant activity of Terminalia chebula in vivo and in vitro
- Cardioprotective effect of Terminalia chebula against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats
- Essential amino acids and muscle protein recovery from resistance exercise
- Wound healing activity of Terminalia chebula in dermal wounds of rats
- Dramatic improvement in mitochondrial cardiomyopathy following treatment with idebenone.
- Antioxidant properties of 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (idebenone).
- The satiating effect of a diet containing jojoba meal (Simmondsia chinensis) in dogs
- Absorption and distribution of orally administered jojoba wax in mice