A dietary supplement ubiquinone, also known as Coenzyme Q10, is believed to function as an antioxidant, protecting cells against damage from free radicals.
But a new study by scientists at McGill University finds that ubiquinone is not a crucial antioxidant -- and that consuming it is unlikely to provide any benefit.
Antioxidants Speed Lung Cancer Growth in Mice Suggests Research
People who smoke or have lung cancer should think twice about taking vitamin supplements, suggests a Swedish study that showed certain antioxidants may make tumors grow faster.
Advertisement
The findings, by a team led by Professor Siegfried Hekimi in McGill's Department of Biology, are published today (March 6) in Nature Communications.
Ubiquinone is a lipid-like substance found naturally in all cells of the body. Cells need it to produce energy from nutrients and oxygen - a function performed by tiny structures, known as mitochondria, within cells. Because it was also thought to function as an antioxidant, ubiquinone has been recommended for a variety of ills and as an anti-aging supplement; global sales of the substance are estimated to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
![New Antioxidant can Keep Skin Looking Younger and Fresher for Longer Period of Time]( "New Antioxidant can Keep Skin Looking Younger and Fresher for Longer Period of Time")
Newcastle University researchers have found that antioxidant Tiron can provide total protection against sun damage.
"Our findings show that one of the major anti-aging antioxidant supplements used by people can't possibly act as previously believed," Hekimi says. "Dietary supplements cost a lot of money to patients throughout the world - money that would be better spent on healthy food. What's more, the hope for a quick fix makes people less motivated to undertake appropriate lifestyle changes."
In order to study how energy metabolism affects aging, the McGill researchers created the first strain of mice in which scientists are able to gradually eliminate ubiquinone - and then to restore it at will to normal levels. Because of ubiquinone's role in energy production, loss of the substance in the mice led to severe sickness and early death.
But the researchers were surprised to find no signs of elevated oxidative damage to cell membranes or DNA from free radicals, the sometimes-harmful molecules created by the oxygen chemistry during metabolism. The team also determined that this unexpected lack of damage didn't stem from deployment of some other antioxidant strategies by the animals.
At the same time, the research yielded new insights into the importance of ubiquinone in helping mitochondria produce energy. "Many patients are sick because their mitochondria don't work properly, including because they don't contain enough ubiquinone," Hekimi says. "We'll be using the results of this study to devise ways, and possibly new drugs, to boost ubiquinone levels or help residual ubiquinone to function effectively in defective mitochondria." To that end, his research team recently received a grant from MitoCanada, a charity that seeks to help patients with mitochondrial diseases.
Source: Medindia
New Antioxidant can Keep Skin Looking Younger and Fresher for Longer Period of Time
Newcastle University researchers have found that antioxidant Tiron can provide total protection against sun damage.
Advertisement
"Our findings show that one of the major anti-aging antioxidant supplements used by people can't possibly act as previously believed," Hekimi says. "Dietary supplements cost a lot of money to patients throughout the world - money that would be better spent on healthy food. What's more, the hope for a quick fix makes people less motivated to undertake appropriate lifestyle changes."
In order to study how energy metabolism affects aging, the McGill researchers created the first strain of mice in which scientists are able to gradually eliminate ubiquinone - and then to restore it at will to normal levels. Because of ubiquinone's role in energy production, loss of the substance in the mice led to severe sickness and early death.
But the researchers were surprised to find no signs of elevated oxidative damage to cell membranes or DNA from free radicals, the sometimes-harmful molecules created by the oxygen chemistry during metabolism. The team also determined that this unexpected lack of damage didn't stem from deployment of some other antioxidant strategies by the animals.
At the same time, the research yielded new insights into the importance of ubiquinone in helping mitochondria produce energy. "Many patients are sick because their mitochondria don't work properly, including because they don't contain enough ubiquinone," Hekimi says. "We'll be using the results of this study to devise ways, and possibly new drugs, to boost ubiquinone levels or help residual ubiquinone to function effectively in defective mitochondria." To that end, his research team recently received a grant from MitoCanada, a charity that seeks to help patients with mitochondrial diseases.
Source: Medindia
Acne Treatment With New Antioxidant Found in Grapes
Resveratrol, an antioxidant derived from grapes and found in wine, works to inhibit growth of the bacteria that causes acne, found UCLA researchers.
Advertisement
 Research Finds Antioxidants can Protect Against Omega 6 Damage or Promote ItResearchers are examining the role that antioxidants play in blocking the harmful effects of omega 6 fatty acids, found in many cooking oils. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Diet & Nutrition News
Experts believe it is unlikely that information about the health benefits of whole grains alone can boost whole grain consumption to the recommended level.
When comparing plant-based and dairy yogurts, almond milk yogurt was identified as the nutritionally superior option.
Health supplements offer no benefits and are merely profit-driven schemes by drug companies, says a leading UK scientist.
Study has revealed that despite the rising popularity of avocado oil, nearly 70% of private-label avocado oil is found to be rancid and adulterated with other oils.
Impact of plate size on meal intake and weight loss efforts is underscored by experts as they advocate for the benefits of choosing smaller plates.