Rankings / Longevity — Supplements
ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril)
Longevity · RAAS inhibitor / repurposed cardiometabolic
Also known as: Micardis ·Cozaar ·Vasotec ·Diovan ·lisinopril ·valsartan ·candesartan ·ramipril ·sartan ·ARB ·ACE inhibitor
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) as B- (6.3/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
The other big 'cardiometabolic drug repurposed for aging' class alongside SGLT2 inhibitors — and among the cheapest, most accessible geroprotector candidates.
Typical use: Oral once daily (telmisartan 40-80 mg, losartan 50-100 mg, enalapril 5-20 mg) — Rx.
What this is
The other big 'cardiometabolic drug repurposed for aging' class alongside SGLT2 inhibitors — and among the cheapest, most accessible geroprotector candidates. Angiotensin II is a core driver of vascular aging, inflammaging and senescence; long-term RAAS blockade extended healthspan/lifespan in several rodent models (enalapril, captopril), and high-dose ARB can regress age-related kidney and vessel sclerosis independent of blood pressure (Yang & Fogo, Kidney Int Suppl 2014). Telmisartan uniquely activates PPAR-gamma (a metabolically active ARB); losartan lowers TGF-beta and improved aged-muscle regeneration (Burks, Sci Transl Med 2011). Observational cohorts link ARB/ACE-inhibitor use to lower dementia risk. The hard human outcomes (mortality, stroke, HF, CKD) are proven in disease populations via HOPE, ONTARGET, SOLVD and others; the healthy-longevity benefit is extrapolated, not yet tested in a healthspan RCT.
Mechanism
Block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system — ACE inhibitors stop angiotensin II formation, ARBs block its AT1 receptor. Chronic angiotensin II drives oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence, so blocking it is a recognized geroprotective pathway; telmisartan adds PPAR-gamma agonism, losartan lowers TGF-beta
Dose & route
Oral once daily (telmisartan 40-80 mg, losartan 50-100 mg, enalapril 5-20 mg)
Citations
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Common questions
- Does ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.3/10). The other big 'cardiometabolic drug repurposed for aging' class alongside SGLT2 inhibitors — and among the cheapest, most accessible geroprotector candidates.
- Is ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) safe?
- ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx (FDA-approved generics for hypertension, heart failure, CKD; off-label as geroprotectors). This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril)?
- Oral once daily (telmisartan 40-80 mg, losartan 50-100 mg, enalapril 5-20 mg)
- How does ACE inhibitors / ARBs (telmisartan / losartan / enalapril) work?
- Block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system — ACE inhibitors stop angiotensin II formation, ARBs block its AT1 receptor. Chronic angiotensin II drives oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence, so blocking it is a recognized geroprotective pathway; telmisartan adds PPAR-gamma agonism, losartan lowers TGF-beta
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.