People are living longer. In 1970, the average life 

expectancy at birth in the United States was 

70.8 years; in 2008, it was 78.0 years; and by 2020, 

the U.S. Census Bureau projects life expectancy 

will reach 79.5 years. 

Views on aging are also changing. Disease and 

disability were once considered an inevitable part 

of growing older, but that is no longer true. While 

aging does put us at greater risk for health issues, 

many older adults can be healthy and active well 

into their advancing years. 

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of 

the Federal Government’s National Institutes of 

Health (NIH), investigates ways to support healthy 

aging and prevent or delay the onset of age-related 

disease and decline. We have already gained 

important insights, and what we learn from ongoing 

and future studies may not only help to increase 

longevity, but may also promote what is known as 

“active life expectancy”—the time in late life free 

of disability. We already know, for example, that 

healthy eating and exercise and physical activity 

help promote healthy aging. Are there other interventions that can help? NIA-supported and other 

studies are taking a look at the possible benefits 

and risks of a number of approaches, including 

antioxidants, calorie restriction, and hormone 

supplements. This tip sheet provides an overview 

of what we know about these interventions and 

the research needed to learn more. Until we have 

a better understanding, it is a good idea to be 

skeptical of claims that any supplements can solve 

your age-related problems. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Can We Prevent Aging?

Tips from the National Institute on Aging

National Institute on Aging

National Institutes of health

NIH...Turning Discovery into health

Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the body from the harmful 

effects of by-products known as free radicals, 

made normally when the body changes oxygen 

and food into energy. The discovery of antioxidants raised hopes that people could slow aging 

simply by adding them to the diet. So far, studies 

of antioxidant-laden foods and supplements in 

humans have yielded little support for this 

conclusion. Further research, including large-scale 

epidemiological studies, might clarify whether 

dietary antioxidants can help people live longer, 

healthier lives. For now, although the effectiveness 

of dietary antioxidant supplementation remains 

controversial, there is positive evidence for the 

health benefits of fruits and vegetables. 

Calorie Restriction, Intermittent 

Fasting, Resveratrol, and Rapamycin

Scientists are discovering that what you eat, how 

frequently, and how much may have an effect on 

quality and years of life. Of particular interest has 

been calorie restriction, a diet that is lower by a 

specific percent of calories than the normal diet 

but includes all needed nutrients. Research in 

some animals has shown calorie restriction of up 

to 40 percent fewer calories than normal to have 

an impressive positive effect on disease, markers 

of aging, and, perhaps, life span. 

Even though calorie restriction appears to work in 

a variety of species, its effects on longevity are far 

from universal. It has been found to extend the life 

of protozoa (very small, one-celled organisms), 
Can We Prevent Aging?

2

were healthier and lived longer than the overweight 

mice that did not get resveratrol. In a follow-up 

study, researchers found that, when started at 

middle age, resveratrol slowed age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard 

diet, but did not increase longevity. A recent study 

in humans reported that resveratrol may have some 

similar health benefits to those in animals; however, 

it is still too early to make any definitive conclusions 

about how resveratrol affects human health and 

aging. More research is needed before scientists 

know if there is a proper and safe dose of resveratrol 

or if it has any clinical applicability in people. 

Rapamycin is also being investigated. This 

compound is used to help suppress the immune 

system in transplant patients so that the body does 

not reject the new organ. Rapamycin has been 

found to extend median and maximum lifespan 

of mice, even when fed to the animals beginning 

at early-old age. This finding suggests that an 

intervention started later in life may still increase 

longevity. Researchers are now looking for rapamycin’s effects on health span of animal models. 

Since rapamycin treatment in people is associated 

with serious toxicities, its potential for human 

long-term use is uncertain. Researchers do not 

know if rapamycin has any effect on human aging 

or if any potential benefit would outweigh risks. 

But, this discovery in mice has led to an exciting 

new research direction.

Scientists are also looking at the effect of intermittent fasting or reduced meal frequency. In 

animals, like mice, reduced meal frequency 

appears to have a protective effect on the brain 

and may also help with heart function and 

regulation of sugar content in the blood. However, 

here, too, the influence of intermittent fasting on 

human health and longevity is currently unclear. 

While research into these types of approaches 

continues, it is important to remember there 

is already plenty of research supporting the 

value of a healthy, balanced diet and physical 

activity to help delay or prevent age-related 

health problems. 

2

yeast, fruit flies, some strains of mice, and rats, as 

well as other species. However, several animal 

models, including wild mice, show no lifespan 

extension by calorie restriction. In some strains 

of mice, calorie restriction even appears to shorten 

lifespan. Studies in nonhuman primates have also 

had conflicting results.

Calorie restriction studies with humans and other 

primates, such as monkeys, are ongoing. Some 

studies in nonhuman primates have shown that 

calorie restriction reduces the incidence of certain 

diseases such as cancer. Other studies in primates 

have not yet reached final conclusions. 

Findings of the Comprehensive Assessment 

of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of 

Energy (CALERIE) pilot study in humans showed 

that overweight adults who cut their calorie 

consumption by 20 to 30 percent lowered their 

fasting insulin levels and core body temperature. 

Both of these changes correlate with increased 

longevity in animal models. The lower calorie 

intake also reduced their risk for major causes 

of mortality such as heart disease and diabetes. 

CALERIE is currently evaluating a 2-year, 25 percent 

reduction in caloric intake for feasibility, safety, 

and effects on factors influencing longevity 

and health. 

Scientists do not yet know if long-term calorie 

restriction is safe, beneficial, or practical for 

humans. However, the study of calorie restriction 

offers new insights into the aging process and 

biological mechanisms that could influence 

healthy aging. This research may also provide 

clues about how to prevent or delay diseases that 

become more prevalent with age and inform the 

development of treatments for such diseases. 

Some studies focus on identifying chemicals that 

somehow mimic calorie restriction’s benefits. 

Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in foods 

like grapes and nuts, is of interest. In one study, 

scientists compared two groups of overweight 

mice on a high-fat diet. One group was given a 

high dose of resveratrol together with the high-fat 

diet. The overweight mice receiving resveratrol 
TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

3

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that set in 

motion different processes to keep our bodies 

working properly. For example, they are involved 

in regulating our metabolism, immune function, 

sexual reproduction, and growth. Hormones are 

made by specialized groups of cells within the 

body’s glands. The glands—such as the pituitary, 

thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, and testes—release 

hormones into the body as needed to stimulate, 

regulate, and control the function of other tissues 

and organs involved in biological processes. Most 

hormones are typically found in very low concentrations in the bloodstream. But a hormone’s 

concentration will fluctuate depending on the 

body’s activity or time of day. 

We cannot survive without hormones. As children, 

hormones help us grow up. In our teenage years, 

they drive puberty. As we get older, some hormone 

levels naturally decline. But what does that mean? 

Scientists do not know exactly. 

In order to learn more, NIA is investigating how 

the administration of hormones to older people 

affects frailty and function. Many of these studies 

focus on hormones that naturally decline with 

age, including:

z Human growth hormone 

z Testosterone 

z Estrogen and progesterone (as part of 

menopausal hormone therapy) 

z Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

How Hormones Work 

A hormone acts upon a cell much like a key 

unlocking a door. After being released by a gland, 

a hormone molecule travels through the blood 

until it finds a cell with the right fit. The hormone 

latches onto a cell via the cell’s receptor. When 

this happens a signal is sent into the cell. These 

signals may instruct the cell to multiply, make 

proteins or enzymes, or perform other vital tasks. 

Some hormones can even cause a cell to release 

other hormones.

A hormone may fit with many types of cells but may 

not affect all cells in the same way. For example, 

one hormone may stimulate one cell to perform 

a task, but it might also turn off a different cell. 

Additionally, how a cell responds to a hormone 

may change throughout life. 

Hormone Therapy

Levels of some hormones change naturally over the 

lifespan. Some hormones increase with age, like 

parathyroid hormone that helps regulate the amount 

of calcium in the blood and bone. Some tend to 

decrease over time, such as testosterone in men 

and estrogen in women. When the body fails to 

make enough of a hormone because of a disease 

or disorder, a doctor may prescribe hormone 

supplements. These come in many forms such as 

pills, shots, topicals (gels, creams, and sprays 

applied to the skin), and medicated skin patches. 

You may have read magazine articles or seen 

television programs suggesting that treatment 

with hormones can make people feel young again 

or can slow or prevent aging. That’s because 

finding a “fountain of youth” is a captivating story. 

The truth is that, to date, no research has shown 

that hormone therapies add years to life or prevent 

age-related frailty. And, while some drugs have real 

health benefits for people with clinical hormone 

deficiencies due to a disease or disorder, they also 

can cause harmful side effects. That’s why people 

who have a diagnosed hormone deficiency should 

still only take hormones prescribed by a doctor and 

under a doctor’s supervision. 

In some cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may have approved a hormone 

(or hormone therapy) for one purpose, but it is 

prescribed by physicians for another. This offlabel use may occur when physicians believe that 

research, such as clinical studies, demonstrates a 

drug’s usefulness for another condition. However, 

consumers should be aware that off-label use of 

any drug may not have been tested and verified to 

the same degree as the original use of the drug. 
Can We Prevent Aging?

4

Some Dangers of Hormone Therapy and 

“Anti-Aging” Supplements 

Higher concentrations of hormones in your body 

are not necessarily better. And, a decrease in 

hormone concentration with age is not necessarily 

a bad thing. The body maintains a delicate balance 

between how much hormone it produces and how 

much it needs to function properly. Natural 

hormone production fluctuates throughout the 

day. That means that the amount of hormone in 

your blood when you wake up may be different 

2, 12, or 20 hours later. 

If you take hormone supplements, especially 

without medical supervision, you can adversely 

affect this tightly controlled, regulated system. 

Replacement or supplemental hormones cannot 

replicate your body’s natural variation. Because 

hormonal balance is so intricate, too much of a 

hormone in your system may actually cause the 

opposite of the intended effect. For example, 

taking a hormone supplement can cause your 

own hormone regulation to stop working. Or, 

your body may process the supplements differently than the naturally produced hormone, 

causing an alternate, undesired effect. It is also 

possible that a supplement could amplify negative 

side effects of the hormone naturally produced by 

the body. At this point, scientists do not know all 

the consequences. 

Some hormone-like products are sold over the 

counter without a prescription. Using them can be 

dangerous. Products that are marketed as dietary 

supplements are not approved or regulated by the 

FDA. That is, companies making dietary supplements 

do not need to provide any proof that their products

are safe and effective before selling them. There is 

no guarantee that the “recommended” dosage is 

safe, that the same amount of active ingredients is 

in every bottle, or that the substance is what the 

company claims. What you bought over the 

counter may not have been thoroughly studied, 

and potential negative side effects may not be 

understood or defined. In addition, these overthe-counter products may interfere with your 

other medications. NIA does not recommend 

taking any supplement touted as an “anti-aging” 

remedy because there is no proof of effectiveness 

and the health risks of short- and long-term use 

are largely unknown. 

Human Growth Hormone

Growth hormone is important for normal growth 

and development, as well as for maintaining 

tissues and organs. It is made by the pituitary 

gland, a pea-sized structure located at the base of 

the brain. 

Research supports supplemental use of human 

growth hormone (hGH) injections in certain 

circumstances. For instance, hGH injections 

can help children who do not produce enough 

growth hormone. Sometimes hGH injections 

may be prescribed for young adults whose obesity 

is the result of having had their pituitary gland 

surgically removed. These uses are different from 

taking hGH as an “anti-aging” strategy. As with 

other hormones, growth hormone levels often 

decline with age, but this decrease is not necessarily bad. At least one epidemiological study 

suggests that people who have high levels of 

naturally produced growth hormone are more 

apt to die at younger ages than those with lower 

levels of the hormone. Researchers have also 

studied animals with genetic disorders that 

suppress growth hormone production and 

secretion. They found that reduced growth 

hormone secretion actually promotes longevity 

in the tested species.

Although there is no conclusive evidence that 

hGH can prevent aging or halt age-related physical 

decline, some clinics market hGH for that purpose, 

and some people spend a great deal of money on 

such supplements. Shots can cost more than 

$15,000 a year. These shots are only available by 

prescription and should be administered by a 

doctor. But, because of the unknown risks—and 

the evidence suggests that side effects strongly 

overcome any possible benefits—it is hard to 

find a doctor who will prescribe hGH shots. 
Tips from the National Institute on AginG

5

Over-the-counter dietary supplements, known as 

human growth hormone releasers, are currently 

being marketed as low-cost alternatives to hGH 

shots. But claims of their anti-aging effects, like all 

those regarding hGH, are unsubstantiated. 

Research is starting to paint a fuller picture of the 

effects of hGH, but there is still much to learn. For 

instance, study findings indicate that injections of 

hGH can increase muscle mass; however, it seems 

to have little impact on muscle strength or function. 

Questions about potential side effects, such as 

diabetes, joint pain, and fluid buildup leading to 

high blood pressure or heart failure, remain 

unanswered, too. A report that children who were 

treated with pituitary growth hormone have an 

increased risk of cancer created a heightened 

concern about the dangers of hGH injections. 

Whether or not older people treated with hGH 

for extended periods have an increased risk of 

cancer is unknown. To date, only small, shortterm studies have looked specifically at hGH 

as an “anti-aging” therapy for older people. 

Additional research is necessary to assess the 

potential risks and benefits of hGH. 

Testosterone

Testosterone is a vital sex hormone that plays an 

important role in puberty. In men, testosterone 

not only regulates sex drive (libido), it also helps 

regulate bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass 

and strength, and the production of red blood cells 

and sperm. Testosterone isn’t exclusively a male 

hormone—women produce small amounts as well. 

As men age, they often produce somewhat less 

testosterone, especially compared to years of peak 

testosterone production during adolescence and 

early adulthood. Normal testosterone production 

ranges widely, and it is unclear what amount of 

decline or how low a level of testosterone will 

cause adverse effects. 

In recent years, the popular press has increasingly 

reported about “male menopause,” a condition 

supposedly caused by diminishing testosterone 

levels in aging men. There is very little scientific 

evidence that this condition, also known as 

andropause or viropause, exists. The likelihood 

that an aging man will experience a major shutdown 

of testosterone production similar to a woman’s 

menopause is very remote. In fact, many of the 

changes that take place in older men often are 

incorrectly attributed to decreasing testosterone 

levels. For instance, some men experiencing erectile 

difficulty (impotence) may be tempted to blame it 

on lowered testosterone, but many cases of erectile 

problems are due to circulatory problems.

For men whose bodies make very little or no 

testosterone, testosterone replacement may offer 

benefits. FDA-approved testosterone drugs come 

in different forms, including patches, injections, 

and topical gels. Men whose testes (the reproductive glands that make testosterone and sperm) 

have been damaged or whose pituitary glands have 

been harmed or destroyed by trauma, infections, 

or tumors may also be prescribed testosterone. 

Treatment with testosterone drugs can help men 

with exceptionally low testosterone levels maintain 

strong muscles and bones and increase their sex 

drive. It is unclear if men who are at the lower end 

of the normal range for testosterone production 

would benefit from treatment.

More research is needed to learn what effects 

testosterone drug therapy may have in healthy 

older men without these extreme deficiencies. 

NIA is investigating the role of testosterone therapy 

in delaying or preventing frailty and helping with 

other age-related health issues. Results from 

preliminary studies involving small groups of men 

are inconclusive. Specifically, it remains unclear to 

what degree testosterone supplements can help 

men maintain strong muscles and sturdy bones, 

sustain robust sexual activity, or sharpen memory. 

There are also concerns about the long-term, 

harmful effects that testosterone drugs might have 

on the aging body. Most epidemiological studies 

suggest that higher natural levels of testosterone 

are not associated with a higher incidence of 

prostate cancer—the second leading cause of 

cancer death among men. However, scientists do 
Can We Prevent Aging?

6

not know if taking testosterone drugs increases 

men’s risk for developing prostate cancer or 

promoting the growth of an existing tumor. There 

is also uncertainty about effects of testosterone 

treatment on the cardiovascular system in older 

men, especially men with mobility limitations and 

other diseases. Future studies will address this issue 

to ensure that older men receiving testosterone 

treatment are not exposed to unnecessary risks.

The bottom line: there is no scientific proof that 

testosterone treatment in healthy men will help 

them age better. Until more scientifically rigorous 

studies are conducted, it is not known if the 

possible benefits of testosterone therapy outweigh 

any of its potential risks. NIA continues to conduct 

research to gather more evidence about the effects 

of testosterone treatment in aging men.

Hormones in Women 

Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones 

that play an important part in women’s menstrual 

cycle and pregnancy. Estrogen also helps maintain 

bone strength and may reduce the risk of heart 

disease and memory problems before menopause. 

Both estrogen and progesterone are produced 

naturally by the ovaries. However, after menopause, 

the ovaries make much less of these hormones. 

For more than 60 years, millions of women have 

used estrogen to relieve their menopausal symptoms, 

especially hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some 

women may also be prescribed estrogen to prevent 

or treat osteoporosis—loss of bone strength—that 

often happens after menopause. The use of estrogen 

(by a woman whose uterus has been removed) or 

estrogen with progesterone or a progestin, a 

synthetic form of progesterone (by a woman with 

a uterus), to treat the symptoms of menopause is 

called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), 

formerly known as hormone replacement 

therapy (HRT).

There is a rich research base investigating estrogen. 

Many large, reliable long-term studies of estrogen 

and its effects on the body have been conducted. 

Yet, much remains unknown. In fact, the history 

of estrogen research demonstrates why it is 

important to examine both the benefits and risks 

of any hormone therapy before it becomes widely 

used. Here’s what scientists know: 

z Endometrial problems—While estrogen 

helps some women with symptom management 

during and after menopause, it can raise the risk of 

certain problems. Estrogen may cause a thickening 

of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and 

increase the risk of endometrial cancer. To lessen 

these risks, doctors now prescribe progesterone 

or a progestin, in combination with estrogen, to 

women with a uterus, to protect the lining. 

z Heart disease—The role of estrogen in heart 

disease is complex. Early studies suggested MHT 

could lower postmenopausal women’s risk for 

heart disease—the number one killer of women 

in the United States. But results from the NIH 

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) suggest that 

using estrogen with or without a progestin after 

menopause does not protect women from heart 

disease and may even increase their risk.

In 2002, WHI scientists reported that using 

estrogen plus progestin actually elevates some 

postmenopausal women’s chance of developing 

heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer, 

but women also experienced fewer hip fractures 

and cases of colorectal cancer. In 2004, WHI 

scientists published another report, this time on 

postmenopausal women who used estrogen alone, 

which had some similar findings: women had an 

increased risk of stroke and blood clots, but fewer 

hip fractures. Then, in 2007, a closer analysis of 

the WHI results indicated that younger women, 

ages 50 to 59 at the start of the trial, who used 

estrogen alone, had significantly less calcified 

plaque in their coronary arteries than women not 

using estrogen. Increased plaque in coronary 

arteries is a risk factor for heart attacks. Scientists 

also noted that the risk of heart attack increased 

in women who started MHT more than 10 years 

after menopause (especially if these women had 

menopausal symptoms). There was no evidence of 
TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

7

increased risk of heart attack in women who began 

MHT within 10 years of going through menopause. 

z Dementia—Some observational studies have 

suggested that estrogen may protect against 

Alzheimer’s disease. However, testing in clinical

trials in older, postmenopausal women has 

challenged that view. In 2003, researchers leading 

the WHI Memory Study (WHIMS), a substudy of 

the WHI, reported that women age 65 and older 

who took one kind of estrogen combined with 

progestin were at twice the risk for developing 

dementia compared to women who did not take 

any hormones. In 2004, WHIMS scientists reported 

that using the same kind of estrogen alone also 

increased the risk of developing dementia in women 

age 65 and older compared to women not taking 

any hormones. What possibly accounts for the 

different findings between the observational and 

clinical studies? One central issue may be timing. 

The women in the WHIMS trial started treatment 

a decade or more after menopause. In observational 

studies that reported estrogen’s positive effects on 

cognition, the majority of women began treatment 

soon after menopause. This has led researchers to 

wonder if it may be advantageous to begin treatment 

earlier, at a time closer to menopause. Additionally, 

it appears that progesterone and progestins 

(progesterone-like compounds) differ in their 

impact on brain health. 

Despite research thus far, there are still many 

unknowns about the risks and benefits of MHT. 

For instance, because women in their early 50’s 

were only a small part of the WHI, scientists do 

not yet know if certain risks are applicable to 

younger women who use estrogen to relieve their 

symptoms during the menopausal transition.

You may also have heard about another approach 

to hormone therapy for women—“bioidentical 

hormones.” These are hormones derived from 

plants, such as soy or yams, that have identical 

chemical structures to hormones produced by the 

human body. The term “bioidentical hormones” is 

now also being applied to the use of compounded 

hormones. Large clinical trials of these compounded 

hormones have not been done, and many bioidentical hormones that are available without a 

prescription are not regulated or approved for 

safety and efficacy by the FDA. FDA-regulated 

bioidentical hormones, such as estradiol and 

progesterone, are available by prescription for 

women considering MHT.

For middle-age and older women, the decision to 

take hormones is far more complex and difficult 

than ever before. Questions about MHT remain. 

Would using a different estrogen and/or progestin 

or different dose change the risks? Would the 

results be different if the hormones were given as 

a patch or cream, rather than a pill? Would taking 

progestin less often be as effective and safe? Does 

starting MHT around the time of menopause, 

compared to years later, change the risks? Can we 

predict which women will benefit or be harmed by 

using MHT? As these and other questions are 

addressed by research, women should continue to 

review the pros and cons of MHT with their 

doctors. They should assess the benefits as well 

as personal risks to make an informed decision 

about whether or not this therapy is right for 

them. NIA has additional free information on 

menopausal hormone therapy in the tip sheet 

Hormones and Menopause. 

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is made from 

cholesterol by the adrenal glands, which sit on 

top of each kidney. It is converted by the body 

into two other important hormones: testosterone 

and estrogen. 

For most people, DHEA production peaks in the 

mid-20’s and then gradually declines with age. 

The effects of this decline, including its role in 

the aging process, are unclear. Even so, some 

proponents claim that over-the-counter DHEA 

supplements can improve energy and strength 

and boost immunity. Claims are also made that 

supplements increase muscle and decrease fat. 

To date, there is no conclusive scientific evidence 

that DHEA supplements have any of these benefits. 
Can We Prevent Aging?

The conversion of naturally produced DHEA 

into estrogen and testosterone is highly individualized. There is no way to predict who will make 

more or less of these hormones. Having an excess 

of testosterone or estrogen in your body could 

be risky. 

Scientists do not yet know the effects of long-term 

(defined as over 1 year) use of DHEA supplements. 

Early indications are that these supplements, even 

when taken briefly, may have detrimental effects 

on the body, including liver damage. But the 

picture is not clear. Two short-term studies showed 

that taking DHEA supplements has no harmful 

effects on blood, prostate, or liver function. 

However, these studies were too small to lead to 

broader conclusions about the safety or efficacy 

of DHEA supplementation. 

Researchers are working to find more definite 

answers about DHEA’s effects on aging, muscles, 

and the immune system. In the meantime, if you 

are thinking about taking DHEA supplements, be 

aware that the effects are not fully known and 

might turn out to cause more harm than good.

Many Questions, Seeking Answers

NIA supports research that seeks to learn more 

about aging and the risks and benefits of potential 

interventions such as antioxidants, calorie 

restriction, hormone therapies, and supplements. 

These studies take time. A great deal of basic 

animal and clinical research remains to be done. 

And, because research is an incremental process, 

results can move knowledge forward, but it can 

also take scientists back to basics. Although one 

goal of NIA research is to determine whether 

these interventions improve the health of older 

people, have no effect, or are harmful, don’t be 

surprised if the results of these studies open the 

door to more questions.

Until more is known about antioxidants, resveratrol, 

and hormone supplements, consumers should 

view these types of supplements with a good deal 

of caution and doubt. Despite what advertisements 

on television, the Internet, and magazines may 

claim, there are no specific therapies proven to 

prevent aging. Some harmful side effects already 

have been discovered; additional research may 

uncover others.

People with genuine deficiencies in specific 

hormones should consult their doctors about 

appropriate treatments. Talk with your doctor 

if you are interested in any form of hormone 

therapy or “anti-aging” approaches beyond a 

healthy diet and physical activity. Meanwhile, 

people who choose to take any hormone supplement 

without a doctor’s supervision should be aware that 

these supplements appear to have few clear-cut 

benefits for healthy individuals and no proven 

influence on the aging process.

JULY 2010

UPDAt ed F ebruary 2012

For more information on health and aging, contact:

National Institute on Aging Information Center

P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057

1-800-222-2225 (toll-free) • 1-800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)

www.nia.nih.gov • www.nia.nih.gov/espanol

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