Hi
I just started reading the melatonin story from Jo Robinson and it's very
good. I don't know if it has been mentioned before but I have two questions for
Jo or anyone else.
Firstly, when the Italian group found an extension of the life span, was it an
extension of the mean or the maximum lifespan ? Only if the maximum lifespan is
increased one can speak of an retardation of the ageing process. Most treatments,
except for dietary restriction, only increase the mean lifespan.
Secondly the antioxidant capacity of melatonin. Even if it is the most potent
antioxidant I don't think it can cause its effects through its antioxidative
properties. As mentioned it is also one of the most potent hormones having still
an effect on the picogram scale. If it is present in so minute quantities in the
bloodstream its antioxidative effect can only be small.
Axel Kowald
