It is generally believed that free radicals cause aging, while antioxidants, by suppressing the reactivity of these molecules, on the contrary, slow down the process.

An international group of scientists has shown that not everything is as simple as the Internet publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. Net In the course of the study, nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans, whose organism produced more free radicals by itself or in connection with the use of the corresponding herbicides, lived longer than usual. Moreover, when these mutants began to be stuffed with antioxidants, the effect evaporated, and the worms lived as long as the worm should live.

Siegfried Hekimi of McGill University (Canada) believes that free radicals (more precisely, active forms of oxygen) are part of the normal stress reaction of the body and have a beneficial effect on certain levels.

"Perhaps the reason for the correlation between free radicals and aging is due to the fact that their appearance in the mitochondria is caused by a reaction to damage as a result of the aging process," the scientist argues. "With their help, the body tries to fight".

Specialists also offer a partial explanation of the usefulness of physical exercises: they lead to a slight increase in the level of reactive oxygen species.

In addition, researchers suspect that the positive effect of moderate alcohol consumption does not come from antioxidants in red wine, but because of mild oxidative stress caused by drinking.

This does not mean that free radicals are unconditionally useful. They have a beneficial effect on health only at a normal level, and in the case of severe stress or a progressive disease, the damage they cause is superior to the positive effect.

Barry Halliwell of the National University of Singapore believes that active oxygen species probably contribute to the progress of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, despite the positive effect at lower levels. They are probably the cause of wrinkles on the skin.

The mechanism by which free radicals prolong life, remains unexplored. It is also worth noting that increasing life expectancy does not necessarily mean improving its quality.

The new point of view calls into question the idea of ??an antioxidant tablet, which should slow the aging process and protect against diseases, writes compulenta. "If you carry out clinical trials of such a drug, there will be no effect," Mr. Hekimi.

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