IUBio

Reduced caloric intake and lifespan

Jo Robinson jor at teleport.com
Fri Dec 8 12:08:16 EST 1995


Charles Carter (ccarter2 at mustang.uwo.ca) wrote:
: Hi Jo,

:   I read somewhere (recently) that the anti-aging effects of Melatonin 
: are primarily the result of its powerful free-radical scavenging 
: abilities.  Has anyone done an experiment which takes this seemingly 
: confounding factor into consideration?
:   
: Just wondering..
:   
: Chuck
	Chuck -  I'm hoping you read about melatonin's free-radical
scavenging, anti-aging properties in our book....
	In our book, we mention six reasons why melatonin might 
extend life, beginning with the one we believe to be most influential:
	1. Reducing free radical damage.
	2. Stimulating an aging immune system
	3. Protecting the cardiovascular system
	4. Stabilizing the body's circadian rhythm
	5. Restoring the nightly cycle of rest and repair
	   by preserving slow wave sleep
	6. Stimulating the production of growth hormone.

	I'm a bit confused as to why you call melatonin's "free-radical
scavenging" ability a confounding factor. Free-radical scavenging" means
 eliminating free radicals.  Currently, the free radical theory of aging
has the most adherents.  You might want to check out the following 
references:

[ "Free Radical Theory of Aging" Mutation Research 1992; 275:257-66.
  And the book "Free Radicals and Aging" Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993.
  Unfortunately, this book is expensive, around $100.]
	
	As for experiments which specifically address melatonin's
free-radical scavenging prowess, Reiter has performed dozens of them, although
not in the context of an anti-aging study.  There are some interesting
human studies, however, that show that older people produce more free
radicals than younger ones.  Furthermore, most degenerative disease are
now believed to be linked in some manner with free radical damage.  THe list of
free radical-mediated conditions and diseases includes ulcers, diabetes,
cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, coronary
artery disease, atherosclerosis, scleroderma, arthritis, herpes zoster, 
cataracts, macular degeneration -- in short, if old people got it, free
radicals are somehow involved.
	Jo
--
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
                       Jo Robinson    jor at teleport.com
 Co-author, with Russel J. Reiter- MELATONIN: Your Body's Natural Wonder Drug
          For a melatonin FAQ, go to: http://www.teleport.com/~jor
     (Note: I have no financial connection with any melatonin supplier.)
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+




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