83-Year-Old Triathlete Shares the Six Daily Supplements He Swears By

An 83-year-old doctor and triathlete, who waited until he was in his 40s to get healthy, shared with Business Insider the six daily supplements he swears by.

Joseph Maroon, a neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, began taking low-risk supplements the year he turned 40. He was looking to relieve feelings of depression after his divorce and the death of his father, and wanted to improve his fast food-heavy diet. It was the first step in a lifestyle evolution for Maroon. He went on to compete in his first triathlon at age 53, and has participated in seven more since.

The six daily supplements that Maroon relies upon to stay healthy and strong are: fish oil; turmeric; fisetin; resveratrol; trimethylglycine (betaine); and magnesium.

Fish oil has a number of benefits, including improving heart and brain function, while turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to assist with a variety of conditions like arthritis and allergies.

Fisetin and resveratrol are both antioxidants found in fruits and wines. Fisetin has anti-aging properties, while resveratrol helps regulate metabolism. The latter has been linked to an increased lifespan in studies on mice and yeast.

Your body already produces trimethylglycine, which promotes liver function and cellular reproduction. It can also be used to treat the overproduction of homocysteine, an amino acid which can increase the risk of dementia, heart disease, and stroke when present in high levels.

As for magnesium: “I work out hard,” Maroon explained to Business Insider. “So I need supplemental magnesium.” Magnesium improves muscle strength, and some studies have shown that the more you exercise, the more magnesium your body requires.

Maroon recently shared his diet tips with the outlet, spilling the secrets of how he’s managed to stay in triathlon shape. The octogenarian says that in addition to the above supplements, avoiding fatty acids and ultra-processed food, as well as sticking to a Mediterranean diet, can elongate your life and promote good health.