The Anti Oxidant Theory and Practice of Life Extension

As a secondary benefit the therapies used in integrative medicine automatically slow down the aging process in my patients, especially if they open their eyes and see the possibility – and thus begin to contribute their own efforts of time and money, plus a discipline in terms of diet and life-style modifications. Personally, I would not presume to call such indirect help “Anti Aging Medicine”, although I have a certificate hanging on the wall in my reception area stating that I am certified to do so because I have passed the necessary tests and exams that would allow me to practice “Anti Aging Medicine” proper. However for my taste, the label “Anti-Aging” smacks a bit too much of a marketing ploy.

To not be aging is not natural for the body. No “anti-aging” effort will ever prevent it from aging. – What such effort can achieve, however, is contribute to slowing down the inevitable. It may thus allow us to age more gracefully. Which is a worthy goal in itself – and of real advantage to the individual.

When I share my views on the subject with my friends, some of them initially display signs of discomfort, especially when I mention that detoxification and the intake of a certain regimen of anti oxidant nutrients can potentially add years their life. One of the common objections then is, “But why should I extend my life if I most likely will spend my last years incapacitated, disabled or bed-ridden?” Some even venture to say, “I prefer to die young rather than continue to hang on to life like a vegetable.”

But, of course, this is not the issue here nor is it the point that I am trying to make. Integrative medicine does not just add years to life but likewise quality to those years. That is the point.

Much has been written about the genetic dispositions for aging, but as a matter of fact our genes play a relatively minor role in the process. We really don’t exactly know why we age. Do our brains have an “aging clock”? Or is each cell genetically programmed to “self-destruct” at a certain point in time? Theories abound but solid answers do not exist.

On the other hand, one thing is for certain: most of the diseases that shorten our lives and/or make them miserable are not at the effect of our genes. Rather, our own bad habits are the culprit. Therefore, if our own bad habits are the cause for our aging, or premature aging then it is also in our hands to do something about it. We decide, through our actions and lifestyles, how we are going to age and how we are going to experience the last years of our life.

A few decades ago, the biochemist Denham Harman introduced the “free radical theory of aging” stating that, in the words of Lester Packer, “Aging is caused by the cumulative damage to the cells and tissues inflicted over many decades by exposure to free radicals.” He then continues, “The free radical theory of aging could just have easily been called the anti oxidant theory of longevity.” In other words, if free radicals make us old, their antidote, anti oxidants, can rejuvenate us. Hence, the title of this posting: “The Anti Oxidant Theory and Practice of Prolonging Life”. Integrative medicine uses anti oxidants as some among many therapeutic agents and approaches designed in a two-step process, to first reduce the total load of toxins and stress factors in body and mind and then, add the nutrients that create balance and vigor.But how do we know that anti oxidants contribute to prolonging life? Nature is telling us. For example, mammals with a low level of anti oxidant protection have a short life span; whereas mammals with high anti oxidant defense system live much longer. Mice and other rodents have only low levels of anti oxidants. Consequently, their life is short. In elephants and humans anti oxidant activity reaches a high level; they live much longer than mice. Packer continues, “In studies of human cells, we have solid evidence that anti oxidants can prevent aging at the cellular level, where the aging process begins. Numerous studies conducted in my lab and others have shown that anti oxidants can prevent many of the telltale signs of aging.”

With the help of anti oxidants cells live longer. In the Packer laboratory researchers doubled the life span of human cells simply by adding vitamin E to their culture.
Anti oxidants slow down the accumulation of an age pigment called lipofuscin. Lipofuscin builds up especially in the brain and heart and therefore can destroy the tissue in these organs, over time. Slowing this build up down, anti oxidants can keep the cells youthful longer.
Anti oxidants prevent the formation of ‘advanced glycation end products’. Glycation leads to the cross-linking of proteins as well as the formation of free radicals. Heart disease cataracts, arthritis and even Alzheimer’s disease have been associated with the cross-linking of proteins. Lipoic Acid and other anti oxidants have been found to prevent the formation of ‘advanced glycation end products’ (AGE).

Packer concludes, “I believe that there is no better way than extend life than to keep your anti oxidant defense network strong… I have been taking anti oxidants for several decades, and although I have reached the age at which many Americans retire from their careers, I personally have not experienced the mental slowdown that has become associated with midlife and beyond. In fact, some of my most creative work in terms of unraveling the mysteries of the anti oxidant network were performed when I was in my sixties. I still write books, lecture, attend international conferences, do research, run a laboratory, and have enough stamina left over to go sailing on the weekends…”