A combination nutritional supplement reduces DNA methylation age only in older adults with a raised epigenetic age.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single-arm before-and-after study without a control group.
PubMed 38528176 · doi:10.1007/s11357-024-01138-8
What was done
Eighty healthy older participants (mean age 71.85 ± 6.23 years; 31 males, 49 females) received a 12-week course of a multi-component supplement containing vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin D, omega-3 fish oils, resveratrol, olive fruit phenols, and astaxanthin. Blood and saliva samples taken pre- and post-supplementation were analyzed for plasma GDF-15, C-reactive protein (CRP), and DNA methylation age using blood-based (Horvath, Hannum) and saliva-based (InflammAge) epigenetic clock algorithms.
What was found
Across the full cohort, no significant differences were observed pre- and post-treatment in plasma GDF-15, CRP, or epigenetic age using the Horvath, Hannum, or InflammAge clocks. In a subgroup with baseline epigenetic age acceleration of 2 or more years, significant post-treatment reductions occurred in saliva InflammAge epigenetic age (p = 0.015) and epigenetic age acceleration (p = 0.0058). In participants with elevated baseline cardiovascular disease risk (hsCRP ≥ 3 µg/ml), CRP was significantly reduced post-supplementation (p = 0.0195). Absolute values and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study suggests that nutritional multi-ingredient interventions may not shift epigenetic clocks broadly across healthy older populations, but might have targeted effects in individuals who enter with elevated baseline biological aging or inflammation.
Limits
The trial lacked a randomized placebo control group, making it impossible to separate true supplement effects from regression to the mean—a particularly high risk for subgroup findings selected solely by elevated baseline markers. Overall cohort analyses were null across all clocks and biomarkers. Exact numeric effect sizes and confidence intervals were omitted from the abstract, and the multi-component formula prevents identifying any single active constituent.
Cited by
- supports Rejuvenating longevity interventions primarily reduce epigenetic age in individuals who already have accelerated epigenetic age, rather than in healthy individuals.