Have Antioxidants for Antiaging Been Proven in Trials?

by Brent
(Orlando, Florida, USA)

I have heard that the only proven antiaging technique is calorie reduction diets. The proof here is clinical trials, which resulted in a lower mortality rate, fewer incidences of cancers and other serious diseases and a clear difference both visually and statistically between control animals and test subjects.

I know certain humans have been involved in these type of tests and that monkey subjects have recently been the subject of published results showing these trends and factors 'proving' that the anti-aging factors are in play.

My question is given this level of proof is there a similar study or studies with so called anti-oxidant products which yields similar results (also showing proof of anti-aging)?

It is easy to claim results but I'm interested in if there are rigorous studies with similar test/control subjects which show clear anti-aging benefits such as mortality and disease incidence bias when taking these types of supplements?

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Aug 22, 2009
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Scientific Proof for Antioxidants
by: George Parigian Jr.

Hi Brent,

Thanks for submitting a great question. For the answers to your question, I am going to refer you to the Life Extension Foundation site, which is www.lef.org . They are THE authority on pertinent research involving antioxidants .

I am aware of the research with caloric restriction, and yes it has demonstrated positive effects in research animals. We know from research that greater insulin sensitivity correlates with longer lifespan, since insulin is “pro-inflammatory.”

Although the exact mechanism in caloric restriction that results in the antiaging effects is not known, it is suspected that maintaining the integrity of intercellular signaling is a factor in increased longevity. In other words, less food, less insulin production, and better cell signaling.

Where there is a lack of scientific studies on antioxidant nutrients, remember that these large-scale studies cost a lot of money to do, and if it cannot be recovered in sales of patented items, there is no motivation for a company to undertake the expense.

Large-scale studies get done on prescription drugs because they are so profitable a company can recoup the money they spend when the revenues from drug sales come in.

Since oxidative stress and the accompanying DNA damage are known factors in the aging process, it logically follows that nutrients that prevent or reduce oxidative stress and free radical damage will prevent chronic disease and lengthen life span.

I recently asked a doctor (M.D.) about the efficacy of an antioxidant product he recommended to his patients called OPC-3. I asked him why he felt it was effective.

He explained that since we know that inflammatory processes are involved in all chronic disease, we measure an inflammatory marker called c-reactive protein to gauge the level of systemic inflammation in a patient.

He said that he measured the c-reactive protein levels of the patients in question, then had them take the OPC-3 supplement, and followed up several months later testing the c-reactive protein levels again.

In every case he reported the levels declined significantly, indicating that systemic inflammation was reduced in those patients.

While this is not a double blind placebo controlled study, it is a clear indicator that the product was having a beneficial effect on the patient.

I think it only fair to mention that I do have a financial interest in the OPC-3 product, because I am a distributor.

You can find out more about OPC-3 and the scientific evidence for its effectiveness at this link:

OPC Scientific Studies

Good Luck and Good Health,

George

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