Due to the strong correlation between oxidative stress and aging, as well as a number of age-related diseases, it makes perfect sense to target free radicals as a means to slow aging. Almost all anti-aging strategy for the past 30 years have included high doses of antioxidants as a central ingredient.
The problem is that although the idea of antioxidants is a sound, long-term effects on health and longevity has yet to realize or understand.
Unambiguously, a diet naturally high in antioxidants can extend life ii reduce the effects of aging and done for centuries. However, with few exceptions, clinical trials with antioxidant supplements showed no advantage of food sources. Indeed some antioxidants have been proven to be harmful to human health.
First, the antioxidants commonly used in clinical trials (vitamins A, C, E and carotene) are not very selective in their actions and other effects on the human body, especially in large doses. Some may actually generate free radicals!
Second, most studies were not specifically conducted in individuals with high levels of oxidative stress. It is possible that participants in these experiments had used only because of reduced antioxidant defense was not their problem.
Thirdly, it is possible that other components of the diet naturally rich in antioxidants contribute to their benefits. This may involve a number of polyphenols and put intermediates, such as lycopenes. May it also be that different dietary elements have a greater impact when combined together. Indeed, one of the fundamental principles of traditional medicine is that the complex conditions best manage complex medication. To capture the different defenses and safeguards, "brew" often contains excerpts from a variety of sources. In the same way, the health benefits of tomatoes more than the sum of its lycopenes. Citrus is not only vitamin C, and rutin, bioflavonoids and other antioxidant variety of other ingredients.
Finally, it may be too much to ask that the amendment would in any cell, and especially every mitochondria of each cell, to reduce levels of ROS. Neither vitamin A, C and E actually inhibits the production of ROS. They just clean up after the fact, and by then the damage May have already done or molecules are formed that are immune to the cleansing effects of these antioxidants. For this purpose, more specific interventions to reduce the radicals, such as selenium supplements, may prove more useful than non-specific 'after' vultures.
Later we will look in detail at the most common antioxidants that are available as supplements and the evidence for and against his actions to slow aging. No information available about where the best of these many antioxidants when taken as a supplement. Each of these will have its fans. It is possible that, like computers, we'll kick for not investing earlier. Likewise, a May turn out to be a waste of money.