Antioxidants do not slow aging

Results of a recent study of nematode worms has found  that antioxidants have no effect on lifespan, thus suggesting that the free radical theory of aging may well be wrong.

David Gems and colleagues at University College London genetically engineered nematode worms to have either heightened or reduced antioxidant protection against the superoxide free radical. If the free radical theory of aging is correct, raising antioxidant defenses should increase lifespan whereas lowering them should shorten lifespan. However, neither raising nor lowering antioxidant defenses had any impact upon lifespan. These findings, together with similar findings from a study on mice conducted at the University of Texas, imply that the free radical theory of aging is incorrect.

The authors say that their findings suggest that taking antioxidant dietary supplements and using cosmeceuticals in an attempt to combat aging may well be worthless. "It's clear that if superoxide is involved, it only plays a small part in the story. Oxidative damage is clearly not a universal, major driver of the aging process. Other factors, such as chemical reactions involving sugars in our body, clearly play a role," said Dr Gems in a news release. "A healthy, balanced diet is very important for reducing the risk of developing many diseases associated with old age, such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. But there is no clear evidence that dietary antioxidants can slow or prevent ageing. There is even less evidence to support the claims of most anti-aging products."

News release: Anti-oxidants are unlikely to prevent ageing, study suggests.  Wellcome Trust. December 1st 2008.