As someone who’s been passionate about health and longevity for decades, I’ve learned that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to remaining active and aging well. It’s a balance of lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, recovery, and yes—smart supplementation. I’ve been taking Resveratrol for over 22 years and NMN for over 6, and these compounds have become mainstays in my personal supplementation stack but they’re not the whole story.

Today, as an active Gen Xer who prioritizes daily workouts, nutritional planned meals, fasting, deep sleep, and consistent recovery to maintain my pursuit of an active lifestyle around the world, I know firsthand that supplementation helps fill nutritional gaps and supports cellular recovery, particularly as we move through our 40s and beyond. It’s not about magic pills; it’s about understanding your body and giving it the support it needs to thrive.

Let’s dive into how you can navigate the world of supplementation over 40— with a little help from a brand I recently discovered:  Vitruvin.

How to Determine What Supplements You Need

Before filling up your cabinet with capsules and powders, it’s important to know what your body actually needs. Let’s start with the basics:

• Run a comprehensive blood panel: This helps identify deficiencies in vitamin D, B12, magnesium, omega-3s, or thyroid function.
• Tune into your symptoms: Fatigue, brain fog, slow recovery, or poor sleep may indicate deeper metabolic shifts.
• Evaluate lifestyle stressors: High stress, limited sleep, and processed diets contribute to cellular damage and inflammation.
• Track your diet: Even a clean diet can fall short due to depleted soil, aging digestion, or absorption issues.

It helps to establish a baseline by journaling or use a health-tracking app. If you start a supplement and notice a clear change—whether it’s more energy, faster recovery, improved sleep, or even side effects—within 2 to 4 weeks, that’s valuable feedback your body is giving you.

The Science Behind Supplementation Over the Age of 40

As we age, several key biological processes begin to shift:

• NAD+ levels decline, reducing mitochondrial energy production.
• Oxidative stress increases, damaging cells and tissues.
• DNA repair slows, making it harder for the body to bounce back.
• Chronic inflammation becomes more common, affecting joints, cognition, and cardiovascular health.

This is where compounds like NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) and Resveratrol come in. I’ve been incorporating them for years for good reason.

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule essential for cellular energy and metabolism. As we age, our NAD+ levels decline significantly, contributing to reduced cellular function and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. Supplementing with NMN has been shown in animal and early human trials to raise NAD+ levels and improve metabolic function.

A 2019 study published in Cell Metabolism showed that NMN improved insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function in older men (Yoshino et al., 2019). Another study in Nature Communications (Mills et al., 2016) demonstrated that NMN could reverse age-related vascular dysfunction in mice by boosting NAD+ and activating SIRT1.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skin of red grapes and berries. It activates sirtuins—a family of proteins that regulate cellular health and have been linked to increased lifespan in lower organisms. Resveratrol is also a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

A 2006 study in Nature (Baur et al.) demonstrated that resveratrol mimicked the effects of caloric restriction in mice and improved mitochondrial function. More recently, a 2021 review in Antioxidants concluded that resveratrol has potential therapeutic benefits in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and age-associated decline in organ systems (Meng et al., 2021).

Together, NMN and Resveratrol form a powerful longevity duo. NMN boosts the availability of NAD+, while Resveratrol enhances sirtuin activity—two processes intricately linked in cellular rejuvenation and metabolic health.

Brands like Vitruvin take these compounds seriously, offering clean, high-purity formulas that include not just NMN and Resveratrol but synergistic additions like Spermidine, Apigenin, Curcumin, and CoQ10. These work together to support energy, inflammation management, DNA repair, and cellular renewal.

Why Using One Brand Can Provide More Consistent Potency

Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of brands. But mixing and matching different manufacturers can become confusing with the abundance of options available and the research needed to understand each supplement. Here’s why selecting a single, reliable source like Vitruvin can provide consistent purity and potency:

1. Consistent Purity and Testing

Vitruvin uses third-party ISO-certified lab testing and clearly lists ingredients with no hidden blends. Everything is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and designed for purity.

2. Smartly Designed Bundles

Their supplement bundles—like Longevity Plus or Ultimate Health—are stackable and scientifically formulated. You’re not guessing whether ingredients will interact poorly or overlap in dosing.

3. Streamlined Supplementation

Using one brand simplifies subscription management, auto-restocking, and customer support. Their service is highly rated and transparent.

4. Synergistic Formulations

Vitruvin stacks ingredients in a way that enhances bioavailability and cellular impact. For example, pairing NMN with Trans-Resveratrol and Berberine for blood sugar support and mitochondrial activation.

What to Look For in High-Quality Supplements

Whether you go with Vitruvin or another brand, here’s my checklist:  

• Third-Party Lab Testing: Always ask for Certificates of Analysis (COA-example on right).
• Transparent Labels: Avoid proprietary blends that don’t disclose dosages.
• Clinical Doses: Formulas should reflect what research supports, not just trendy buzzwords.
• Positive Testimonials: Real reviews like those shown on  review sites like Trustpilot for Vitruvin add credibility to the brand.
• Customer Service: Return policies and communication should be clear and fair.

In Vitruvin’s case, testimonials often mention increased mental clarity, fewer energy crashes, faster workout recovery, and improvements in skin quality.

Wrapping Up: Supplementation Is Just One Piece

While I’m a big believer in supplementation, especially after 40, it’s not a substitute for the fundamentals. My own health is built on:

• Alternate strength days and cardio workouts
• Nutritional planned meals/Fasting
• Quality sleep and strategic rest days
• Regular sunlight, sauna, cold-plunge, and breathwork

Supplementation for me plays a critical role in bridging nutritional gaps, accelerating recovery, and protecting cells from age-related damage. Here’s a picture of me in my early 30’s and another recent picture as I near my mid-50’s. I’ve been able to age better while maintaining my muscle-mass, strength, agility, flexibility, stamina, and endurance while pursuing activities like surfing, snowboarding, cycling, and mountain biking in exotic locations around the world. This would not be possible for me without the adoption of a planned lifestyle strategy blueprint paired with the importance of supplementation. Think of supplementation as the maintenance and repair layer that helps optimize your body and mind.

Brands like Vitruvin  make it easier to supplement with confidence and consistency. Their formulas align with longevity science and help simplify what could otherwise be an overwhelming part of your wellness plan.

The reality is that healthy aging takes a conscious effort and is about making informed decisions, then taking consistent committed action towards that goal to Aging Better on Your Own Terms. The reward for this effort is the enjoyment of  pursuing past loved activities or exploring new adventures as you age. And if you’re like me—still chasing big goals, staying active, and committed to living fully—then smart supplementation isn’t optional. It’s essential.

 

Disclaimer: All the content on this site is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client relationship by your use of this website. I am not a health care professional. The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Before starting any new regimen, supplement, diet, or program, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and suitable for your individual health needs and circumstances.  This website also contains affiliate links including Amazon that I am an Affiliate. This means if you click and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Don’t worry, there’s no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way you can support our mission to bring you quality content.