The role of antioxidants in anti-aging
There is so much hyperbole about the usefulness of antioxidants in our diets. The scientists only give us a reductionist view of one of many billions of different chemical reactions in the body. And the vitamin resellers will write whatever they think will sell the most vitamins.
Antioxidants reduce free radical damage, but there aren't just free radicals in our digestive systems... You also have to have good circulation to move them around the rest of the body.
Unless you're a smoker or heavy drinker, most free radicals are produced within each cell in our bodies as part of our normal metabolic function. These damage the powerhouses of our cells (mitochondria) which Vitamins E, C, Alpha/Beta-Carotene, Lycopene & PCO cannot penetrate. Co-Enzyme Q10 and Ginkgo Biloba are two antioxidants which are reputed to enter mitochondria.
Life extension experts Durk Pearson & Sandy Shaw say that these vitamins don't stay in our bodies more than a few hours. Therefore you either need to take them several times a day, or take them an hour before exercise/smoking/drinking.
Latest research: calorie restriction is preventative. The main effects are in protecting against current threats. (Yes, you need a registration)
Eukarion hold 5 patents on synthetic catalytic scavenger (SCS) compounds, reputed to be very powerful anti-oxidants, whilst fuelling fears that de-aging technlogies will be limited to the richest.
And, the more you eat, the more energy you have to metabolise which means you produce more free radicals. This is why the caloric restriction diet is popular among life extension enthusiasts.
Yet apparently some free radicals are good for us and so consuming too many antioxidants is just as bad as not taking any. For further information: