Antioxidants: Do They Really Slow Aging?

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##### A growing body of research suggests that antioxidants may promote longevity and health. And while promising, they're not cure-alls, says Maret Traber, PhD, principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and co-author of "The Antioxidant Vitamins C and E." "The notion that consuming lots of antioxidants will protect you from everything is a fallacy," she says. The health benefits of antioxidants — small compounds in a variety of foods that prevent cellular damage — remain under study. However, emerging research links certain foods and beverages with potential health benefits. - Berries and grapes: improved brain function - Tomato products: improved prostate health - Black and green tea: improved heart health - Spinach and eggs: maintenance of healthy vision Why We Age Our bodies are made up of millions of atomic particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. As we function, our normal biological processes result in unpaired electrons called free radicals. "A free radical's whole function in life is to find or steal an electron from another molecule to stabilize itself," explains Diane McKay, PhD, a scientist with the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. In search for stability, free radicals will scavenge the body for a partner, leaving damaged cells and tissues in their wakes. "The changes that free radicals cause in your body can lead to the development of certain chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, aging and macular degeneration," McKay says. Exposure to external factors — such as alcohol, cigarette smoke, fatty foods, ultraviolet light, X-rays and automobile exhaust — can also cause the production of free radicals to spike. What About Supplements? Antioxidants neutralize free radical damage, but early tests on their efficacy stem from test tube research. It's unclear how the body metabolizes and absorbs isolated antioxidants found in supplements, if at all, Traber says. Even so, Traber and McKay agree that a multivitamin with the recommended intake for vitamins and minerals probably doesn't hurt. Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables provide good dietary sources of free radical fighters — they're not harmful and they offer a nutrient-dense source of fiber. Adds McKay: "Mother Nature got it right through combining different antioxidants in certain foods." Fight Aging Through Food Your best bet for cutting down free radical damage could be as simple as following these practical steps, according to Traber and McKay. - Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds - Switch to healthful, unsaturated fats - Take a multivitamin with mineral supplement - Exercise and maintain a healthy weight #####
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