Fall in Central Park, New York City
Hi Friends,
I hope you had a nourishing Thanksgiving week. I’m writing from New York City, where I just celebrated my 56th birthday. Like an effective supplement routine, I made sure to stack different activities to achieve a healthy balance, watching Hadestown on Broadway with my teenage son, taking long walks through the city, and, of course, the best part of all of the holiday magic was the time spent laughing at a party at the Chelsea Hotel with my oldest and dearest friends.
In this week’s podcast, we’re diving into the hype around supplements. But as our expert will tell you, the most powerful “stack” doesn’t always come in a bottle.
Have an extra restful weekend,
Rachel
Laughing on my 56th birthday!
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Can Supplements Really Slow Aging?
SuppCo Head of Science Jordan Glenn on your best supplement approach.
Can Supplements Really Slow Aging?
In this week’s episode of the Livelong podcast, Senior Editor Erin Hunter sits down with Jordan Glenn, the Head of Science for SuppCo, to unpack one of the buzziest questions in longevity: can supplements meaningfully extend your healthspan, or are we just crowding our kitchen cabinet?
Glenn shares his “foundation five,” and he also talks about stacking supplements and the actual data on “longevity” ingredients like NAD+ and urolithin A. Supplements can be powerful, but only if they’re used to solve real problems, paired with lifestyle, and sourced from brands that actually contain what’s on the label.
Jordan Glenn’s Three Principles for Using Supplements for Longevity
Start with a problem, not a podcast. Before you add [a new supplement], ask: What issue am I trying to solve: cholesterol, sleep, memory, inflammation? If you can’t answer that, don’t start the supplement. Work backward from a specific goal instead of taking “a bit of everything.”
Build a solid foundation before you optimize. Evidence-backed basics like a quality multivitamin, magnesium, D3/K2, omega-3s, and creatine support heart, brain, muscle, and energy systems that underlie healthy aging. From there, more niche “longevity” ingredients can be layered on to target mitochondria, glucose, or other specific pathways.
Quality, dose, and timing matter as much as the ingredient. Not all products contain what they claim, and some fail independent testing entirely. Try tools like SuppCo’s Trust Score to vet brands, and pay attention to timing and pairings like taking D3/K2 or CoQ10 with fat, separating B vitamins from coffee, and not relying on gummies alone. You actually want to absorb what you take.
“Always start with the question: What problem do I have that this supplement is helping me solve?” — Jordan Glenn
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How do you approach supplements right now?
4 Questions
Q: Why are supplements such a big focus in longevity right now?
A: Aging is heart health, brain health, muscle health, metabolism, and inflammation. Many supplements have solid data on those individual systems. We’re not proving “+10 years” of life, but we are seeing improvements in the building blocks that determine how well we age.
Q: What exactly is “stacking” and who is it for?
A: Stacking means combining multiple supplements to target the same goal through different biological pathways, such as using specific ingredients for triglycerides, LDL, and inflammation in someone with high cholesterol. It’s most useful when you have a clear, measurable goal.
Q: How can people trust they’re getting what’s on the label?
A: In our testing, we’ve found creatines, berberines, and other popular products that contain none of the active ingredient. A strong brand is transparent and consistently passes these checks.
Q: Is there one underrated supplement you think deserves more attention?
A: I’m really excited about nattokinase, an enzyme from natto. Early research suggests promising effects on heart health markers like cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides. The data is still emerging, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a mainstream “heart and longevity” supplement in the next few years.
This week’s must-reads in longevity
🦷 After the turkey, don’t forget to floss!
Flossing is one of the most powerful daily habits for your health. Brushing reaches only about 60% of your teeth, leaving harmful bacteria to settle between your gums, drive inflammation, and raise risks far beyond cavities. Research shows that not flossing can increase mortality by up to 35%, raise stroke risk by 44%, and impair blood sugar control. A tiny habit with significant ROI.
🌍 Skillcations: The new longevity vacation
Immersive, hands-on trips like learning ukulele in Hawaii, baking sourdough in Italy, or taking yoga in India are proving to be the best reset. These experiences boost cognitive health, mood, mobility, and overall life satisfaction, but the magic only works for long-term well-being when the goal is true restoration. We share five tips to choose a trip that energizes you and lets you bring new skills home.
😴 Spotlight on Women’s Health: Why sleep is your superpower
Sleep quality is tightly linked to hormones, stress, cognitive function, and cardiovascular health, but women face more severe consequences from short or irregular sleep. Plus, new research on tryptophan (yes, the amino acid in turkey) is a reminder that rest is biological fuel.
🛍️ Why shopping is good for you.
Holiday shopping is here, and one study shows that older adults who shop daily have a 27% lower risk of death, likely thanks to built-in exercise and social connection. A single grocery trip can rack up 4,000 steps. In-store shopping also activates sensory pathways linked to cognitive resilience: touching textures, scanning colors, and navigating aisles. So grab a friend, skip the algorithmic ads, and let old-school shopping do double duty for your health.
Poll Response
We asked, you answered:
How do you interact with AI for your health?
It was a straight tie: 30 percent said you ask questions cautiously, and 30 percent said you always talk to your doctor first.
Thanks for reading!
The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
