Longevity Capsules

Four actives, aimed below the skin

Longevity is Vida Glow's move from collagen into cellular ageing. Its NAD+ precursor complex supplies nicotinamide riboside at 100mg with nicotinamide: NAD+ is the coenzyme every cell uses to make energy and run DNA repair, and its levels fall steadily with age, which is why NR has become the most studied supplement in the longevity field.

The metabolic half

BioBerb® is berberine, a plant alkaloid with a long record in blood-sugar and metabolic research, wrapped in liposomes that the brand reports deliver 70% greater absorption than standard berberine. It is the ingredient here with the strongest evidence and the one that needs the most care, see below.

The skin half

Salmon proteoglycan is a marine-derived molecule that supports the growth factors behind skin repair and hydration, and EternalYoung® is a complex of centella asiatica, cistanche, pomegranate and sweet orange extracts aimed at collagen support and oxidative stress.

What the brand reports

After 12 weeks of daily use: 39% improvement in skin appearance and visible ageing, 40% in energy and physical vitality, 26% in cognitive vitality. Brand-run study, as is the norm for ingestibles.

The fit

The capsule to take alongside a collagen, not instead of one. Pro Collagen+ rebuilds the structure; Longevity works on the cells doing the rebuilding.

Established collagen users looking for the next layer; anyone in their forties and beyond whose concerns have moved from lines alone to energy, recovery and overall ageing; and people drawn to the NAD+ research who want it in one daily capsule with skin support built in.

Worth knowing

This one needs a conversation with your practitioner more than any other product in the range. Berberine is not suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, lowers blood sugar, and interacts with a long list of medications, including diabetes, blood-pressure, cholesterol and anticoagulant drugs. Contains fish (salmon proteoglycan): not for a fish allergy, and not vegetarian or vegan. Take with food; berberine on an empty stomach can upset digestion.

One capsule daily with food, at the same meal each day. Results in the brand's study appeared at twelve weeks, so plan on three months before judging it.

Do not double up on missed days.

Use alongside

Pro Collagen+ or Natural Marine Collagen as the daily collagen. On the skin, C E Ferulic and SPF by day, a retinoid at night, which address the same ageing from the outside. Check with your practitioner before combining with any other supplement that affects blood sugar.