Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion General Science Discussion Forum Role of ROS in mammalian longevity

Accumulation of oxidative damage over time is thought to result in pathologies associated with aging, including arteriosclerosis, neoplasia, and cataracts. Overexpression of the antioxidant protein thioredoxin was reported to increase mean and maximum life span in a short-lived strain, but the specific agents that limited life span were not identified. The study published in the journal Science supports the free radical theory of aging and reinforce the importance of mitochondria as a source of these radicals and an important limiting factor in determining mammalian longevity.

http://aims-today.blogspot.com/2005/07/role-of-ros-in-mammalian-longevity.html

Antioxidants are the secret to keeping plastics together. If you've ever owned polypropylene sportswear, you know it lasts forever until the first wash. Wash out the antioxidant package and the polymer turns brittle and to dust.

The human antioxidant package is Vitamin C (water) and Vitamin E (oil). Beta-carotene is a free radical trap, but you don't want it flooding your body. About 500 mg of C and 400 IU of E, eaten after dinner every day past puberty for your whole life, is a really good idea barring medical counterindications (e.g., oxalate kidney stones).

Oxygen metabolism is reactive and toxic. Breeding to boost endogeneous levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and other enzymes protective against aerobic metabolism byproducts is remarkably effective at prolonging the lives of short-live mammals.

Turn on general somatic telomerase, add dietary C and E, mop up after toxic aerobic metabolism, and you're in business to be around more than a century no sweat. Will there be anything around you worth living for when you arrive?