Cycloastragenol (TA-65)

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Telomere · Anti-aging · Telomerase activation

A triterpenoid saponin from Astragalus membranaceus that activates telomerase in cell culture. Marketed as TA-65 at extremely high prices. A 2024 pilot study found modest increases in telomere length in older adults after 12 months. However, telomere lengthening raises theoretical cancer risk, and no long-term safety data exists. The anti-aging claims far outpace the evidence.

Dose: 5–25 mg/day cycloastragenol; TA-65 branded product is extremely expensive (approximately 100 USD/month)