Vitamins are
nutrients that when synthesized or assimilated in the right quantities support
our health and well-being. A new review suggests that a set of known and newly
categorized vitamins can help prolong a person's lifespan, and promote health
well into old age.
The review, recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, was conducted by Dr. Bruce Ames, Senior
scientist at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) in Oakland,
CA.
This work analyzes the results of numerous studies conducted in
Dr. Ames's CHORI laboratory, as well as those carried out by researchers from
other institutions.
In the published paper, Dr. Ames identifies a set of vitamins,
which he calls "longevity vitamins." He contextualizes the importance
of these nutrients by suggesting that people can classify the proteins (or
enzymes) that they need to stay healthy as either "survival proteins"
or "longevity proteins."
While all these nutrients are essential for well-being, they
play different roles. The scientist explains that "survival proteins"
support our basic processes for survival and reproduction, whereas
"longevity proteins" play an additional role in protecting against
further damage to the human body.
When nutrients are deficient, Dr. Ames says, the body tends to
favor the production of "survival proteins," which can lead to a
decrease in "longevity proteins," and thus to a heightened risk of
disease.
"Longevity vitamins," according to the researchers,
are the nutrients which support the function of "longevity proteins,"
and allow the human body to remain healthy, and live for an extended period.
Over 30 vitamins sustain longevity
Dr. Ames explains that these key nutrients — which include
vitamin K, vitamin
D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium,
and selenium —
contribute to the processes that keep the cells in our bodies healthy.
These nutrients play many roles in the body, including repairing
DNA, maintaining cardiovascular health, and preventing cellular damage due to
oxidative stress,
the scientist argues.
"The prevention of the degenerative diseases of aging is a
different science than curing disease: it will involve expertise in
metabolism, nutrition,
biochemistry, and genetic regulatory elements and polymorphisms," he
writes.
"This approach is critical for lowering medical costs. It
has been estimated that the [European Union] would save 4 billion euros [$4.6
billion] from osteoporosis alone
by utilizing vitamin D and calcium supplementation,"
the researcher further notes.
In the current
review, Dr. Ames argues that 30 known vitamins and essential minerals, taken at
adequate doses, can help extend a person's lifespan and ensure healthy aging.
To these, he adds 11 compounds, which, although not currently
categorized as "vitamins," Dr. Ames thinks fit in with the concept of
"longevity vitamins" as described in his review.
These substances include taurine, ergothioneine,
pyrroloquinoline quinone, queuine, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene,
alpha-carotene, beta-carotene,
beta-cryptoxanthin, and astaxanthin.
Source: Medical News Today
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