Niacin and free radicals - a source of longevity?
Monday, December 18, 2017
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Vitamin niacin (nicotinic acid, B3) prolongs life - proven on roundworms. Based on his new research, Michael Ristow, a professor at the Swiss Higher Technical School in Zurich, concluded that the use of active forms of oxygen for health. This position runs counter to the generally accepted view in science of the dangers of free radicals.
Niacin and its metabolite nicotinamide have a healing effect, promoting the formation of so-called free radicals. This is what strikes - usually active forms of oxygen are considered harmful. They cause damage to somatic cells - the so-called oxidative (oxidative) stress. Certain substances (antioxidants) contained in fruits, vegetables and certain vegetable oils neutralize these free radicals.
"The statement that antioxidants, especially in the form of tablets, strengthens health is not supported by scientific data," Ristov said. The scientist does not argue with the fact that fruits and vegetables are useful - but this can be due to other compounds, for example, polyphenols. "Fruits and vegetables are healthy foods. But contrary to antioxidants, "- says the professor. Based on this and previous studies, he came to a clear conviction that active oxygen forms (in small doses) and the oxidative stress caused by them bring health benefits. "Cells are able to cope with oxidative stress and neutralize its effects," says Ristov.
In studies conducted on people, Ristov demonstrated that power sports strengthen health precisely due to the enhanced synthesis of reactive oxygen species - and antioxidants destroy this effect. According to the latest research of the professor, niacin exerts the same effect on the body as physical exercises. "Niacin deceives the body, creating an illusion that it is engaged in sports," says Ristov. Such substances are called "exercise mimetics".
Swiss scientists conducted their experiments on Caenorhabditis elegans (pictured). This worm, just a millimeter long, lives one month, which makes it an ideal model organism for studying the aging process. Adding nicotinamide to the diet of the worm increased its life span by 10%.
According to Ristov, the results obtained can be valid also in relation to the human body. The metabolic pathway "included" by niacin in the lower and higher animals differs little. Now the scientist checks the effect of niacin on the life expectancy of mice.
Meat, liver, fish, peanuts, mushrooms and wheat bran are a natural source of niacin. But is enough (to prolong life) niacin enters the body with food - this issue requires additional research.
It should also be noted that niacin in nicotinamide is converted by a certain class of proteins - sirtuins. They also participate in the regulation of genes. But the effect of prolonging the life of sirtuins is not related to their "gene-regulating" role, as was previously thought, but solely due to the conversion of niacin to nicotinamide.
Gene-modified worms, unable to convert nicotinamide into certain metabolic products, lived no more than usual - even under the condition of overexpression of sirtuins. A similar overexpression with normal "treatment" of nicotinamide prolonged the life of worms.
"The statement that antioxidants, especially in the form of tablets, strengthens health is not supported by scientific data," Ristov said. The scientist does not argue with the fact that fruits and vegetables are useful - but this can be due to other compounds, for example, polyphenols. "Fruits and vegetables are healthy foods. But contrary to antioxidants, "- says the professor. Based on this and previous studies, he came to a clear conviction that active oxygen forms (in small doses) and the oxidative stress caused by them bring health benefits. "Cells are able to cope with oxidative stress and neutralize its effects," says Ristov.
In studies conducted on people, Ristov demonstrated that power sports strengthen health precisely due to the enhanced synthesis of reactive oxygen species - and antioxidants destroy this effect. According to the latest research of the professor, niacin exerts the same effect on the body as physical exercises. "Niacin deceives the body, creating an illusion that it is engaged in sports," says Ristov. Such substances are called "exercise mimetics".
Swiss scientists conducted their experiments on Caenorhabditis elegans (pictured). This worm, just a millimeter long, lives one month, which makes it an ideal model organism for studying the aging process. Adding nicotinamide to the diet of the worm increased its life span by 10%.
According to Ristov, the results obtained can be valid also in relation to the human body. The metabolic pathway "included" by niacin in the lower and higher animals differs little. Now the scientist checks the effect of niacin on the life expectancy of mice.
Meat, liver, fish, peanuts, mushrooms and wheat bran are a natural source of niacin. But is enough (to prolong life) niacin enters the body with food - this issue requires additional research.
It should also be noted that niacin in nicotinamide is converted by a certain class of proteins - sirtuins. They also participate in the regulation of genes. But the effect of prolonging the life of sirtuins is not related to their "gene-regulating" role, as was previously thought, but solely due to the conversion of niacin to nicotinamide.
Gene-modified worms, unable to convert nicotinamide into certain metabolic products, lived no more than usual - even under the condition of overexpression of sirtuins. A similar overexpression with normal "treatment" of nicotinamide prolonged the life of worms.
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