Aging & Longevity Research

Cellular senescence, telomere biology, NAD+ metabolism, and biomarkers proposed as ageing surrogates.

Often described colloquially as “Longevity”. We use research terminology because the colloquial phrasing implies an outcome the evidence often does not support.

3 graded claims2 with human evidence2 compounds

Compounds

Examined in this research area

BModerate

NAD+ and precursors

Included because it appears constantly alongside peptides. Oral precursors reliably raise blood NAD+. Downstream functional benefits have been inconsistent.

XInsufficient / conflicting

Epitalon

Widely marketed for longevity. The evidence originates almost entirely from a single research programme and has not been independently replicated.

Evidence

Claims in this area, strongest first

Ordered by evidence level so that the state of the field is visible at a glance rather than buried.

NAD+ and precursors

BModerateHigh confidenceHuman evidence

Oral NAD+ precursors reliably raise blood NAD+ concentration in randomised human trials.

What is not established

Raising a biomarker is not the same as improving an outcome.

Supporting sources (1)

Randomised controlled trialHumanIdentifier pending verification

NAD+ precursor supplementation in human trials

Multiple · Various metabolism and ageing journals · 2022

Population: Healthy middle-aged and older adults across several small trials
Endpoint: Blood NAD+ concentration, physical function, metabolic markers
Route: Oral in most trials; intravenous NAD+ is far less studied
Quantity as reported: Reported per trial
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 12 weeks

Result. Trials consistently show that oral precursors raise blood NAD+ concentration. Downstream functional and clinical benefits have been inconsistent.

Adverse events. Generally well tolerated in the oral trials at studied quantities.

Limitations. Raising a biomarker is not the same as improving an outcome. Intravenous NAD+ is much less studied than oral precursors, and the two should not be treated as interchangeable.

Search PubMed for this literature →

Last evidence review: 2026-08-23

Epitalon

XInsufficient / conflictingVery low confidenceNo human evidence

Epitalon has been reported by its originating research programme to influence telomerase activity and melatonin rhythm.

What is not established

Evidence originates almost entirely from one programme, much of it outside mainstream indexing, without independent replication.

Supporting sources (1)

Observational studyHumanNo verified identifier on file

Epitalon (epithalon) and telomerase/pineal literature

Khavinson VK and colleagues · Predominantly Russian-language gerontology literature · 2003

Population: Small elderly cohorts in the originating research programme
Endpoint: Telomerase activity, melatonin rhythm, mortality in cohort follow-up
Route: Intramuscular and intranasal in the reported work
Quantity as reported: Reported in the originating literature only
Frequency: Varies

Result. The originating programme reported favourable findings.

Adverse events. Not systematically characterised.

Limitations. Evidence originates almost entirely from a single research programme, much of it not indexed in mainstream databases and not independently replicated. Treat directional claims with substantial caution.

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Last evidence review: 2026-08-23

NAD+ and precursors

XInsufficient / conflictingLow confidenceHuman evidence

Whether raising NAD+ produces functional or clinical benefit in healthy adults is not established.

What is not established

Functional endpoints have been inconsistent across small, short trials.

Supporting sources (1)

Randomised controlled trialHumanIdentifier pending verification

NAD+ precursor supplementation in human trials

Multiple · Various metabolism and ageing journals · 2022

Population: Healthy middle-aged and older adults across several small trials
Endpoint: Blood NAD+ concentration, physical function, metabolic markers
Route: Oral in most trials; intravenous NAD+ is far less studied
Quantity as reported: Reported per trial
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 12 weeks

Result. Trials consistently show that oral precursors raise blood NAD+ concentration. Downstream functional and clinical benefits have been inconsistent.

Adverse events. Generally well tolerated in the oral trials at studied quantities.

Limitations. Raising a biomarker is not the same as improving an outcome. Intravenous NAD+ is much less studied than oral precursors, and the two should not be treated as interchangeable.

Search PubMed for this literature →

Last evidence review: 2026-08-23