Mental Health & Wellness > Wellness Matters

4 longevity supplements that actually do more harm than good

By Alpana Mohta, MD, DNB, FEADV, FIADVL, IFAAD | Fact-checked by Barbara Bekiesz

Published March 31, 2025

Key Takeaways

Industry Buzz

"The claims about [this supplement's] anti-aging benefits are largely based on animal studies, not robust clinical trials, [and] high doses can interact with medications or cause liver toxicity." — Courtney Scott, MD, Medical Director at Momentous Recovery Group

Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.

Longevity supplements are heavily marketed, but the research often lags behind the hype. While some compounds hold promise, others may pose risks that outweigh their benefits.

MDLinx spoke with physicians about four potentially dangerous, yet increasingly popular, longevity supplements with questionable safety profiles and clinical concerns.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol, found in red wine, is lauded for activating sirtuins and mimicking caloric restriction.^[] However, Courtney Scott, MD, medical director at Momentous Recovery Group, cautions: "The claims about its anti-aging benefits are largely based on animal studies, not robust clinical trials. Furthermore, high doses can interact with medications or cause liver toxicity."

Resveratrol inhibits CYP2C9 and other CYP enzymes, which can interfere with the metabolism of many drugs, potentially leading to toxicity or reduced therapeutic effects. At high doses (≥1 g/day), gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea are common.^[]

Michael Kane, MD, chief medical officer at the Indiana Center for Recovery, warns, “Combining resveratrol with blood thinners also increases the risk of bleeding.”

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been found to enhance mitochondrial function and combat oxidative stress. While it is naturally present in red meat, wheat germ, and certain fruits and vegetables, the dose required to achieve an anti-aging effect is significantly higher than that obtained from natural sources.^[]

Unfortunately, its OTC availability has increased the inadvertent risk of overdosing. Dr. Scott addresses this topic, stating, “From the policy angle, supplements are self-contained and harmless. This has misled the public, making them self-medicate without medical supervision.”

In fact, acute high doses (>2,000 mg/kg in animal studies) of ALA have caused sedation, apathy, and metabolic disturbances, according to a review from Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine.^[] Rare but severe cases of intoxication, including those with suicidal intent, have also been reported, with at least one reported case of fatality following extreme overdose.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, is marketed for its adaptogenic properties, stress relief, and sleep improvement. Its active constituents, including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, and saponins, are supposed to offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits.^[]

However, with the more widespread use of this herbal medicine globally, we are increasingly seeing reports of liver injury like cholestatic hepatitis and autoimmune-like liver injury in some patients, especially with prolonged or high-dose use.

Randall Scott, DO, medical director of Able To Change Recovery, discusses the issue of herbal supplements: “People often assume these products are safe because they’re plant-based, but “natural” doesn’t always mean harmless.”

Providing a clinical perspective on such supplements, Tatiana Echeverry, MD, a board-certified internist with the Medical Offices of Manhattan, emphasizes the importance of careful patient evaluation: "Before considering starting any such longevity supplement, you need to be aware of baseline chronic conditions, such as liver or kidney disease.”

Collagen peptides

Recent meta-analyses have confirmed the efficacy of hydrolyzed collagen in supporting skin and joint health, as well as providing measurable anti-aging benefits.^[] However, most collagen supplements are derived from animal sources, which introduces an inadvertent risk of heavy metal contamination due to the feed and environment of these animals.

Dr. Scott points to a deeper problem with the unregulated nature of the supplements market. “Many products aren’t tested for quality or accuracy, meaning you might not get what’s on the label—or worse, the product could contain contaminants,” he notes.

Dr. Turner observes, “People believe anti-aging supplements are backed by strong scientific evidence, but the truth is that most rely on early-stage research, often conducted on animals; their results don’t always translate to humans. Without robust clinical trials, we can’t be sure of their long-term safety or effectiveness.”