What alternative medicine is
Alternative medicine refers to health practices used *instead of* conventional, evidence-based treatment; when used *alongside* it, the same practices are usually called complementary medicine (together: CAM). The category is broad — from nutrition and mind-body practices to remedies with little or no scientific support.
Why it matters for longevity
The longevity field sits at a busy intersection of real science and aggressive marketing. Some interventions marketed as “alternative” have genuine, if modest, evidence; others rest on anecdote alone. Distinguishing the two is central to making good decisions — and to reading clinic offerings critically.
What the evidence shows
Evidence is highly heterogeneous. A few complementary approaches have reasonable support for specific uses; many do not, and some carry real risks or interact with medication. “Natural” and “ancient” are not evidence, and the absence of large trials is not proof of effect.
Bottom line
Treat any longevity intervention — conventional or alternative — by the same standard: what is the evidence, what are the risks, and who benefits from selling it?