Health

Aging Not Slowed By Antioxidants, 50 Year Old Theory Debunked

by Terri Potratz | December 2, 2008 at 01:01 pm

512 views | 32 Recommendations | 8 comments

UK researchers have discovered that antioxidants do not actually slow or stop the aging process, disproving the 50-year old free radical theory which claims that these molecules stall or temporarily eliminate oxidation (which releases free radicals and damages cells.)

Superoxide free radicals are a natural byproduct of metabolism. They are essentially unstable oxygen molecules with too many electrons that go in search of compounds they can bond with that are happy to accept their extra electrons. This process is similar to when iron becomes rusty and turns into iron oxide, except that in the human body, biological mechanisms exist that can stop or reverse it.

In 1956 the biogerontologist Denham Harman proposed that aging was the result of an accumulation of "oxidative stress" such as that inflicted on cells by free radicals. Gems and colleagues now suggest this theory is not correct and that superoxide is not a major cause of aging.

Gems said the free radical theory of aging, which has dominated the field for over 50 years, "just doesn't stand up to the evidence."

While oxidative damage may play some small role in the aging process, other chemical reactions are more likely to blame for the degeneration of cells.

These findings also disprove any claims that beauty products containing antioxidants will combat the aging process, regardless of whether the products are topical or dietary.

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Cypresso

at 16:33 on December 2nd, 2008

Most interesting! Thanks for this story.

Dave Keating

at 00:18 on December 3rd, 2008

interesting news

sara star

at 08:12 on December 3rd, 2008

There always seems to be some "miracle cure" advertised. Like some fad. Antioxidants made a splash and now the public finds out they bought snake oil all these years.

liyenfoong

at 08:27 on December 3rd, 2008

This is an antioxidant meal prepared by Chef Goh- the best homecook chef in the world! :)

liyenfoong has contributed a photo to this story.

danesller0127

at 13:43 on December 3rd, 2008

Well, have we got good news for you? Free radicals are natural enemies of antioxidants, The function of antioxidants is to destroy harmful free radicals...Interesting! Thanks for sharing...

orchiditis 2000

at 17:58 on December 3rd, 2008

This particular plant thrives well in Hawaii and the fruit is being process and sold as Nonee juice, sold by the bottle at approximately $30 per bottle. It is believed to cure certain cancer. For all I know it is called Apatot in our native language, scientifically I don't have any information. If there's anyone who know the scientific name i would like to know.
orchiditis2000

orchiditis 2000 has contributed a photo to this story.