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Antioxidants not key to anti-ageing

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Antioxidants have formed a staple ingredient in anti-ageing creams and dietary supplements for some time, however, researchers claim they may not be the miracle cure we believed them to be.

A study in 1956 concluded that ageing was caused by naturally occurring free radicals (reactive forms of oxygen), which caused molecular damage to the skin. In turn, it was believed that anti-oxidants could work against free radicals, which led to them being included in many different generations of anti-ageing creams and ointments, as well as diet pills and supplements.

A team from the University College London, however, believe experiments they have done on Nematode worms disprove this.

Nematode worms are often used in scientific experiments as they share many genes with humans and also have lifecycles of only a few days, allowing quick results.

In this case, the worms were given powers to 'mop up' extra free radicals, which should, in theory, have prolonged their lifespan. Instead, they lived for the same amount of time as regular Nematode worms leading the scientists to conclude that free-radical damage to the skin may not be the major cause of ageing after all.

'The fact is that we don't understand much about the fundamental mechanisms of ageing - the free radical theory has filled a knowledge vacuum for over 50 years now, but it doesn't stand up to the evidence,' Dr David Gems tells Genes and Development journal.

'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.'

A spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, however, has urged people not to drop antioxidant-rich vegetables from their diets, pointing out it's still important to eat a varied diet.

'All the evidence has come from epidemiological studies looking at the whole diet - where there was some sign of benefit to people who ate diets with antioxidants, but also who ate lots of other good things,' said the official.

'What this shows is that there is likely to be no one 'magic bullet' in terms of diet and health - the important thing is still achieving a healthy balance.'

Monday 1 December 2008


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i completely agree..

what antioxidants do in normal terms is to reduce the damage casued by internal factors and stress, this in turn slows down the process of cell-turnover and helps in slowing down the process of ageing.

antioxidants boost our energy levels and reduce radical damage, thus slowing down the appearance of 'veinous and tentacles' on skin i.e. the hardending of skin in low-fat areas due to veins sticking out.

we should be greatful that these molecules help us in bringing more oxygen to the skin and fight to keep our skin soft and supple. as far as anti-ageing goes, what would we all do without the anti-ageing creams in the market..???

cheers.!
Comment by shweta sukumar on December 01 17:54

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