Antioxidants 'cannot slow ageing'
Using Nematode worms, scientists found those given enhanced antioxidant powers to deal with tissue damaging "free radicals" did not live any longer.
Antioxidants are a staple of the beauty and health industries, based on the theory that ageing is caused by a build-up of molecular damage caused by reactive forms of oxygen, superoxides or free radicals, circulating in the body, causing oxidative stress. Antioxidants supposedly worked to mop up these free radicals, minimising their damage.
This new study, however, could explain why many studies aimed at proving the theory have been inconclusive.
Nematode worms, are useful tools for scientists who want to explore how our bodies work, because they share many genes with humans, and they have a lifespan measured in days, allowing scientists to get better clues about long-term changes.
The UCL team, led by Dr David Gems, genetically manipulated nematodes so that their bodies were able to "mop up" surplus free radicals. This is theory, should give them an advantage over normal nematodes in terms of ageing and lifespan. However, these worms lived just as long as the others, suggesting that "oxidative stress" is less of a factor in the ageing of our cells and tissues as some have suggested.
Dr. Gems stated that: "It is clear that if superoxide is involved, it plays only a small part in the story - oxidative damage is clearly not a universal, major driver of the ageing process."
He said a healthy, balanced diet was important for reducing the risk of many "old age" diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis, but there was no clear evidence that eating antioxidants could slow or prevent ageing, and even less evidence to support the claims made by antioxidant pills and creams.
I found this article interesting because we spent along time one class session, in association with a SNBAL, discussing free radicals and the theory of antioxidants. Also, preventing the looks of aging is a concern for many people, and while may not be the most pertinent to me or my peers right now, it will definitely become more relevant to us in the next decade or so.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7754644.stm
Antioxidants are a staple of the beauty and health industries, based on the theory that ageing is caused by a build-up of molecular damage caused by reactive forms of oxygen, superoxides or free radicals, circulating in the body, causing oxidative stress. Antioxidants supposedly worked to mop up these free radicals, minimising their damage.
This new study, however, could explain why many studies aimed at proving the theory have been inconclusive.
Nematode worms, are useful tools for scientists who want to explore how our bodies work, because they share many genes with humans, and they have a lifespan measured in days, allowing scientists to get better clues about long-term changes.
The UCL team, led by Dr David Gems, genetically manipulated nematodes so that their bodies were able to "mop up" surplus free radicals. This is theory, should give them an advantage over normal nematodes in terms of ageing and lifespan. However, these worms lived just as long as the others, suggesting that "oxidative stress" is less of a factor in the ageing of our cells and tissues as some have suggested.
Dr. Gems stated that: "It is clear that if superoxide is involved, it plays only a small part in the story - oxidative damage is clearly not a universal, major driver of the ageing process."
He said a healthy, balanced diet was important for reducing the risk of many "old age" diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis, but there was no clear evidence that eating antioxidants could slow or prevent ageing, and even less evidence to support the claims made by antioxidant pills and creams.
I found this article interesting because we spent along time one class session, in association with a SNBAL, discussing free radicals and the theory of antioxidants. Also, preventing the looks of aging is a concern for many people, and while may not be the most pertinent to me or my peers right now, it will definitely become more relevant to us in the next decade or so.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7754644.stm
posted by amanda hayley at 9:35 PM
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