Research
Mixed
Antioxidant supplementation does not increase maximum lifespan in vertebrates, whereas caloric restriction extends longevity by decreasing mitochondrial ROS production at complex I.
Do not rely on antioxidant supplements to extend your maximum lifespan. Instead, focus on interventions like caloric restriction, which have been shown to extend longevity by reducing mitochondrial ROS production at complex I.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
Available studies do not support the hypothesis that antioxidants control the rate of aging because: (a) they correlate inversely with maximum longevity in vertebrates, and (b) increasing their concentration by different methods does not increase maximum lifespan. On the other hand, comparative studies consistently show that long-lived mammals and birds have low rates of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production... Furthermore, caloric restriction, which extends longevity, also decreases mitochondrial ROS production at complex I and lowers mtDNA oxidative damage.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of comparative physiology, transgenic models, and caloric restriction studies, though definitive proof is stated as lacking.
Source
Is the Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging Intact?
Alberto Sanz et al. · Antioxidants and Redox Signaling · 2006
DOI 10.1089/ars.2006.8.582
narrative_reviewCited 242×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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