Vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D and E, beta carotene, folic acid, ginkgo biloba, green tea extract, need we go on! These are just a few of the ingredients being tested by a research team at McMaster University studying a supplement cocktail that is thought to fight aging. The diet they are recommending is believed to add 10 to 15 years to your life, and slow the onset of chronic diseases. Too good to be true? Well it has not been tested on humans yet, just mice and crickets, but it increased the life span in these two critters. The researchers found that the supplements, which contain around 30 ingredients, altered the mitochondria, the energy houses of the body, ultimately leading to a decrease in free radical production. As you may know, free radicals can damage cells in the body leading to aging.
Some time ago, resveratrol, an extract from red wine, was reported to be a potential wonder anti-aging ingredient by researchers from Harvard. Previous to this discovery, resveratrol was thought to be beneficial to the heart, but in high concentrations it may also slow the aging process. However, the level of resveratrol in a glass of red wine is likely too miniscule to have an affect on aging. So, resveratrol in a supplement form has been created. The very nature of taking a supplement that has not yet been proven to slow aging in humans seems rather expensive to us. However, for a society that prides itself on youthfulness and beauty it may create a sense of hope that one day a proven anti-aging supplement may exist.
As for the general supplement debate, we decided to list some pros and cons. Some of the points we came up with are listed below:
PROS
- It can be difficult to obtain all of the nutrients we need with our busy lives, budgets, and food availability, so maybe taking an all-in-one supplement would be beneficial.
- Some vitamins, like vitamin D, may be harder to obtain in the winter, so supplements may be advantageous (depending on age, gender, race).
- Supplements may increase the likelihood that one is meeting daily recommendations of nutrients (particularly micronutrients)
- Some populations may benefit from taking supplements, such a pregnant women (folic acid) or a person with a medical condition.
CONS
- What ever happened to eating a well balanced diet? Do people that try there best to eat a well balanced diet have age related benefits? It has been found that people who consume more fruits and vegetables are less likely to develop a chronic disease, like heart disease. So why should a healthy individual need supplements?
- Some supplements are very expensive and not ‘proven’ to work, so you could be wasting your money. It may also be more cost effective to make a healthy meal.
- Overdose may occur, especially for fat soluble vitamins (ex. vitamins E, K) because they are stored in the body longer than water soluble vitamins.
Certain vitamins and minerals may block the absorption of others into the body. For example, zinc may interfere with the absorption of iron. Additionally, some foods and beverages taken with supplements may alter their absorption by the body.
In a society where convenience dominates could a magical supplement cocktail be the fountain of youth?
The complete list of ingredients in the supplement cocktail included: Vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D and E, Acetyl L-carnitine, Alpha-lipoic acid, Acetylsalicylic acid, Beta carotene, Bioflavonoids, Chromium picolinate, Folic acid, Garlic, ginger root extract, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Green tea extract, L-Glutathione, Magnesium, Manganese, Melatonin, N-acetyl cysteine, Potassium, Rutin, Selenium, Cod liver oil (Omega 3), Coenzyme Q10, Flaxseed oil.
Check it out:
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/yourhealth/agingwell/article/770382--you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu87vid-uK8&feature=related
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