Anti-aging medicine is an evolving medical research branch aiming to extend lifespan, improve health, and help maintain youthful function as we age.^[1]

A related field to anti-aging medicine is regenerative medicine. It is a branch of medicine that develops methods to regrow, repair or replace tissues and organs damaged by age, disease, or trauma. Stem cell therapy is a popular treatment option in regenerative medicine^[2].

Anti-aging doctors often have access to advanced testing and treatments that may help to:

• Identify underlying causes of accelerated aging in each individual. These can be due to genetics or lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, hormonal imbalances, or medical conditions. 
• Improve or manage age-related issues, including slow and, in some cases, reverse biological age.
• Reduce the risk of age-related disease with preventive medicine strategies.
• Promote a youthful appearance via aesthetic medicine procedures (surgical or non-surgical) or internally with diet, supplements, hormone replacement therapy, and others.

Potential risks: Anti-aging medicine is a field that is constantly evolving. Many treatment options are relatively new, with a limited amount of long-term studies. Always discuss the benefits vs. risks with your doctor to see whether a treatment option is a good fit for you.

Like other branches of medicine, doctors often undergo diverse medical training from different institutes. With anti-aging medicine being an emerging field, there may be fewer options.

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) is one of the most known institutions specializing in anti-aging medicine training.

The two most common board Certifications through A4M include:

• ABAARM Certification – for doctors with MD or DO degrees
• ABAAHP Certification – for other health practitioners.

It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor about their medical background and how long they have been in practice after completing their training.