Research

Hormonal

Low-level oxidative stress (ROS) acts as a beneficial signaling molecule that extends healthspan and lifespan, whereas the traditional view that ROS is purely damaging is an oversimplification.

Do not assume that eliminating all oxidative stress is the goal for longevity. The body requires a baseline level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to trigger protective signaling pathways (like SIRT1 and autophagy). Extreme antioxidant supplementation may interfere with these necessary signals and potentially increase health risks. Focus on maintaining metabolic health rather than chasing zero oxidative stress.

ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
recent studies have revealed that a low-level oxidative stress can even extend the lifespan of organisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling molecules... it seems that an optimal level of ROS is required for a successful aging process
Antero Salminen et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2013

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing multiple animal studies (C. elegans, mice, Drosophila) and human observational data, but notes conflicting results and lack of causal proof in some areas.

Source

Crosstalk between Oxidative Stress and SIRT1: Impact on the Aging Process

Antero Salminen et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2013

DOI 10.3390/ijms14023834

narrative_reviewCited 451×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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