Intravenous longevity therapy: a critical review of evidence, mechanisms, and clinical utility

Intravenous administration of high-dose vitamins, minerals, amino acids, coenzyme Q10, α-lipoic acid, glutathione, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide has emerged as a popular longevity therapy, targeting key molecular processes, oxidative stress, mitochondrial decline, chronic inflammation, and genomic instability, which drive and accelerate aging. The rationale is that intravenous administration facilitates supraphysiological plasma concentrations, bypassing gastrointestinal absorption limitations to more effectively target these age-promoting mechanisms. Evidence from preclinical models and small clinical series reports transient reductions in oxidative biomarkers, modest improvements in fatigue syndromes, and anecdotal enhancements in skin elasticity. However, these findings are predominantly derived from disease-specific or aesthetic contexts rather than studies involving healthy aging populations. Crucially, few studies incorporate validated biomarkers of aging such as epigenetic age or telomere length, and placebo-controlled trials are scarce and underpowered or they yield conflicting results. Additional challenges include pharmacokinetic limitations, procedural risks, and substantial heterogeneity of infusion protocols, all of which hinder reliable interpretation. Until rigorously designed, adequately powered randomized controlled trials demonstrate reproducible long-term efficacy and safety, intravenous longevity therapy should be regarded as an experimental intervention rather than an evidence-based dermatological or anti-aging practice.