Increased antioxidant capacity reverses some effects of agin

[Jacob]

HOUSTON -- (April 12, 2006) -- Decreasing oxidant levels by increasing the amount of an antioxidant enzyme can reverse declining memory skills and other pathological effects of old age, say researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The findings are reported in today's Journal of Neuroscience.

"This is one of the first studies showing that a genetically engineered mouse that overexpresses an antioxidant enzyme actually performs better when they age with respect to memory," said Dr. Eric Klann, principal investigator of the study and professor of molecular physiology at BCM.

The study is one of the first experiments to assess memory performance among aging mice genetically engineered with an abundance of an antioxidant enzyme called extra cellular superoxide dismutase. As this group of mice aged, they performed better on memory tasks and demonstrated cellular improvements in the hippocampus, a part of the brain required for memory.

Conversely, the same experiments in younger mice showed that high levels of the antioxidant were detrimental to memory function.

Previous studies have concluded that oxidative stress contributes to aging and aging-related impairments in memory. Klann conjectures that high antioxidant levels, within reason, could promote longevity and reduce the risk of dementia associated with normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Klann's study advances the debate over the utility of antioxidant supplements, which some claim eliminate hazardous free radicals from the body and reduce the risk of cancer, among other disorders. On the other hand, recent reports claim that excessive intake of vitamin and mineral supplements pose no benefit and can even do harm in some cases.

"The balance of oxidants is very important," said Klann. "In animal studies, it's bad to have too much or too little. That could be part of the reason for conflicting findings on antioxidant supplements in humans."

Klann says further research in mice will be necessary to approximate ideal antioxidant levels and whether antioxidant enzymes can prevent dementia and other aging-related impairments.

Daoying Hu and Dr. Faridis Serrano at BCM and Dr. Tim D. Oury at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also contributed to this paper. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation.

[Jacob]

I wonder if some of these guys who are taking a long list of supplements are doing more harm than good. Is it possible the dreaded shed some are experiencing is caused by too many vits/mins/antioxidants? Or that they shock the body when they first shove them in their systems?

Even too much of lignans is bad.

At high dosesand no one knows how much is too muchlignans might turn into cancer promoters. Indeed, some animal studies have found that high doses of plant estrogens can cause cancer cells to proliferate. We have no idea where that linebetween enough and too muchmight be drawn. All we can do is wait for further developments.

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsFlaxseed.php (and other sources)

No one knows how much is too much? Oh great. I'd like to see what the HMRligan folks say.

[HairLossFight.com]

I believe the old adage of "everything in moderation" is very sound when it comes to taking supplements.