The theory that aging is a consequence of molecular damage caused by reactive oxygen species has been around for 50 years. Antioxidants are thought to help the body rid itself of free radicals, thereby slowing down the aging process.
Despite all the advances in recent years, scientists still know surprisingly little about the intricacies, according to David Gems and colleagues.… And the theory of free radicals has never been convincingly proven. New experiments conducted by David’s team have shown that the significance of damage caused by reactive oxygen species is minimal, and the answer to the mystery of aging must be sought elsewhere.
What did the scientists do? They genetically modified nematode worms (one of the favorite experimental subjects of biologists, convenient due to their short lifespan) in such a way that they themselves began to suppress free radicals in their bodies. In theory, this should have given the worms an advantage in terms of life, compared to ordinary individuals. But the experimenters did not find any difference.
Thus, oxidative stress is a minor factor in cell and tissue aging, the scientists concluded. This contradicts the data of a number of previous studies that somehow managed to find such a relationship.
James stated that a healthy, balanced diet is important for reducing the risk of many aging diseases, but there is no clear evidence that antioxidant intake can slow or prevent aging, and even less evidence that “antioxidant” pills and creams.
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