Novel research published in Aging has found that Cel System, a natural supplement blend containing botanical compounds, vitamins and antioxidants can influence the biological ageing process, while also promoting muscular strength.
The paper, titled "Effects of a natural ingredients-based intervention targeting the hallmarks of aging on epigenetic clocks, physical function, and body composition: a single-arm clinical trial”, found that supplementation with the nutraceutical for a year led to a reduction in biological age, as well as improvement in body composition.
This follows results from a recent study, which found that vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation in combination with exercise has a similar effect.
These results highlight the potential of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplements in promoting healthy ageing and encouraging longevity within the older population.
The study
As life expectancy continues to climb worldwide, many older consumers are looking to prioritise healthspan during the latter years.
Therefore, researchers from TruDiagnostic conducted a one year pilot study with 51 adults aged between 54 and 84 to see how Cel System, a nutraceutical range by SRW Laboratories, could influence participants' epigenetic clocks.
The supplement contains vitamins B12 and C, minerals zinc and selenium, Sophorae japonica, Astragalus membranaceus, curcuminoids and hobamine.
The study also assessed how the it could impact physical performance and body composition metrics.
During the trial period, participants were also encourage to take a walk for 10 minutes a day and practice mindfulness for five minutes daily.
After the one year study period, participants who took the supplement experienced:
- Improvements in grip strength and chair stand test scores
- An epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) of –2.30, −5.71 or −0.29 depending on the test used
- Significant shrinkage in waist circumference observed between 6 and 12 months of supplementation
- A decrease in BMI
- Notable weight loss, BMI decrease, and waist circumference reduction
Although the supplement was able to reduce the prevalence of ageing-associated biomarkers, it did not reduce interleukin-6 (IL-6) or C-Reactive Protein levels, which are commonly associated with inflammation.
However, participants taking the supplement did experience changes in immune cell composition, with increases noted in B memory, CD4 T memory and T-regulatory, as well as eosinophils and CD8T cells.
Although this pilot study was conducted without a control group, the findings suggest that the supplement may contribute to the reduction of biological ageing and overall wellness.
"Our findings suggest that the Cel System supplement range may effectively reduce biological age and improve health metrics, warranting further investigation into its mechanistic pathways and long-term efficacy," notes first author and Associate Director of Bioinformatics at TruDiagnostic, Natalia Carreras-Gallo.
"The results of this study add to the growing evidence that targeted natural supplements may slow biological ageing and extend healthspan. Future randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes should be conducted to confirm these results and explore the supplement's long-term effects on longevity," she concludes.