Life Extension: Science Fact or Science Fiction?This page by the National Institute on Aging gives the official U.S. FDA approved view -- more testing is needed, nothing has been proven, it is all very expensive and of dubious value. It is always good to know what the Devil's Advocate view is. Regarding anti-oxidants this site says: The National Academy of Sciences is a nongovernmental group of experts involved in scientific research. They recommend what vitamins and minerals you need in your diet and how much of each. They say that there is no proof that large doses of anti-oxidants will prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or cataracts. Of course unproven and it's just a theory arguments have been used by religious zealots to support creationism over evolution too. Regarding dietary supplements this site says: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not oversee most of these products. So you can’t be sure that a supplement’s health claims are true or that they are safe to take for a long period of time. You cannot even be sure that the preparations are pure or consistent from bottle to bottle, or manufacturer to manufacturer. I think the numerous recalls and about-face stands of the FDA show you can not trust products they do oversee either! The viewpoint on this site is worth noting, though it wouldn't carry much weight among knowledgeable scientists who make aging and longevity their life's work. A brain surgeon once stated that all of the neurosurgeons he knew used anti-oxidant supplements because they knew what oxidents could do to the brain (never mind the rest of the body!) Some anti-aging treatments are speculative, but dismissing the entire field is literally throwing the baby out with the bathwater. |
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