February 27, 2009 – “Should we forget about antioxidants? This is the question posed by researchers at McGill University who claim to have discovered that aging may not be attributable to the oxidation of our cells.
In a recently published study1, they challenge the theory of oxidative stress. 40 years old, it states that the accumulation of particles of oxygen and peroxide – called free radicals – in the cells of our body would prevent them from regenerating, thus contributing to their aging.
To do this, they used Caenorhabditis elegans, worms frequently used in the laboratory. They neutralized the ability of these worms to remove ROS molecules – toxic molecules – from their bodies.
In principle, this “paralysis” should have led to premature death in invertebrates, due to the strong presence of ROS molecules, proof of increased oxidative stress in the organism.
However, not only did the worms not die prematurely, but some even lived longer than un “paralyzed” worms.
“In other words, oxidative stress could just as easily be the result of aging as its cause,” explains one of the study’s authors, Dr.r Siegfried Hekimi, in a press release2.
This conclusion made him say that the virtues which one attributes to antioxidants to slow down aging would be overrated.
Beware of “irresponsible messages”
For biochemist Richard Béliveau, the discovery of McGill researchers is undoubtedly interesting from a scientific point of view. But the underlying message “borders on irresponsibility,” says the one who also holds the Chair in cancer prevention and treatment at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).
“The notion of aging is not the same, depending on whether it is approached at the systemic level (all physiological functions) or at the cellular level – which is the case in the present study”, he adds.
According to him, this study does not question the harm that oxidative stress can cause on health in general. “Oxidative stress is directly associated with the aging of brain functions as well as the onset of certain cardiovascular diseases”, illustrates Richard Béliveau.
In addition, he severely judges the generalization that researchers make of the results obtained from invertebrates in the laboratory. “Worms are useful study models, but humans are not worms. Extrapolations of this kind are always lame, ”he says.
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“Plant-based antioxidants have a positive impact on overall health and not just at the molecular level. As long as you favor fruits and vegetables over supplements. ” – Richard Béliveau |
Overall health above all
In addition, Richard Béliveau agrees with McGill researchers who question the relevance of taking antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin E or coenzyme Q10 in very high doses, to prevent aging.
“Antioxidant supplements have no impact on human health and are not worth fruits and vegetables – the benefits of which far exceed those provided by their antioxidants,” he insists.
According to him, the best way to optimize your overall health is to change your lifestyle. “We must avoid the crutch reflex that constitutes taking supplements,” concludes Richard Béliveau.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Hemiki S, Van Raamsdonk JM, Deletion of the Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase sod-2 Extends Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans, PLoS Genetics, February 2009, Vol. 5, No 2, e1000361.
2. Should we forget about antioxidants? Press release issued by McGill University on February 17, 2009.
