:: June 2009

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Highlighted Article

Antioxidants Are Unlikely To Prevent Aging, Study Suggests “"Superoxide" free radicals – oxygen molecules that have an imbalance of electrons to protons – are generated in the body through natural processes such as metabolism. These free radicals can cause oxidation in the body, analogous to rust when iron is exposed to oxygen. Biological systems, such as the human body, are usually able to restrict or repair this damage. In 1956, Denham Harman proposed the theory that aging is caused by an accumulation of molecular damage caused by "oxidative stress", the action of reactive forms of oxygen, such as superoxide, on cells. This theory has dominated the field of aging research for over fifty years. But now, a study published online today in the journal Genes & Development suggests that this theory is probably incorrect and that superoxide is not a major cause of aging. … "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," he says. "But there is no clear evidence that dietary antioxidants can slow or prevent aging. There is even less evidence to support the claims of most anti-aging products." “

Guidelines

See Internet Sites

Internet Sites

Featured site

NIH - Antioxidants

NCI FACT SHEET: Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention

NIH - Antioxidants Resources

NIH - Antioxidants with Concurrent Cancer Therapies: To Use or Not to Use?

NIH - FREE RADICALS: THE PROS AND CONS OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Related Topics - Highlighted Articles

Aging and Anti-Aging

[Increasing oxidative stress in aging] (Nippon Rinsho. 2005) "Oxidative stress in aging relates not only direct organ damage but also induce risk factors for vascular damage such as metabolic syndrome."

Cancer - General

Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage by particulate air pollution. (Mutat Res. 2005) "Exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM) is associated with pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The mechanisms of PM-induced health effects are believed to involve inflammation and oxidative stress. ? Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage appears to an important mechanism of action of urban particulate air pollution. Related biomarkers and personal monitoring may be useful tools for risk characterization."

In this newsletter:

General Information

	General Information
Antioxidant Supplements Blunt Exercise-Induced Improvement of Insulin Sensitivity “Comment: Surprisingly, use of antioxidant supplements blunts the beneficial effects of regular exercise on insulin sensitivity, even though diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables (and, thus, contain high concentrations of antioxidants) lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Overall, little evidence of benefit from regular use of vitamin C or E supplements exists, and this study offers one reason to discourage their use and to encourage diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables.” Semen Quality May Depend Upon Antioxidants In Man's Diet “Low antioxidant intake is associated with low reproductive capacity in semen. This is the finding of a new study carried out in two infertility centres in Spain (in Alicante and Murcia) and which has been published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility. "Our previous research study, published in March, showed that men who eat large amounts of meat and full fat dairy products have lower seminal quality than those who eat more fruit, vegetables and reduced fat dairy products. In this study, we have found that people who consume more fruits and vegetables are ingesting more antioxidants, and this is the important point", Jaime Mendiola, lead author of the article and a researcher at the University of Murcia, tells SINC. “