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Rapamycin extends mouse lifespan 9–14%
NAD+ precursors reverse aging in humans
Blue-light glasses improve sleep quality
Walking 10 min after meals blunts glucose
Verdict change — caffeine half-life downgraded

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Do Antioxidants Cause Cancer? — Whalespan

Content›Video›Do Antioxidants Cause Cancer…

Do Antioxidants Cause Cancer?

Rhonda Patrick14m · 2014-08-05

Claims Made

32

Claims Supported

22

Support Rate

69%

Support rate

22 of 32 claims supported

22 supported10 partial / not

Claims from this content

29

✕Not SupportedSupplementing with vitamin E alpha-tocopherol above the Recommended Dietary Allowance is generally not necessary.◐Partially SupportedHigh-dose alpha-tocopherol supplementation in men with low selenium levels was associated with an increased incidence of prostate cancer.◐Partially SupportedApproximately 60% of the US population does not meet the RDA for vitamin E.✕Not SupportedSupplemental antioxidants, particularly vitamin E, may accelerate cancer growth in individuals who already have cancer.Partially Supported

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A. Volkovreader

4h

Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

◐

Vitamin E exists as alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol; alpha-tocopherol is the major plasma/tissue antioxidant, and gamma-tocopherol is an anti-nitration agent and anti-inflammatory.

◐Partially SupportedSupplements typically contain only alpha-tocopherol, and megadosing alpha-tocopherol can deplete gamma-tocopherol levels.

◐Partially SupportedSelenium is important for selenoprotein P, which eliminates damaging nitration species.

✕Not SupportedSupplemental antioxidants can prevent the activation of tumor suppressor genes by inhibiting DNA damage in individuals with existing cancer, thereby hindering the killing of cancer cells.

◐Partially SupportedIn mice without cancer, supplemental vitamin E at doses 5-50 times the RDA did not cause cancer and prevented DNA damage.

◐Partially SupportedDepleting gamma-tocopherol levels can have negative consequences due to its independent function.

◐Partially SupportedReactive oxygen and nitrogen species can damage cell membrane fluidity, making them more rigid and impairing the function of embedded proteins, transporters, and receptors.

◐Partially SupportedReactive oxygen and nitrogen species can damage proteins and hinder their clearance from the cell.

◐Partially SupportedSupplemental vitamins can be context-dependent, and large generalizations about their effects should be avoided.

◐Partially SupportedWhole foods such as almonds, pecans, and avocados are good dietary sources of all forms of vitamin E.

◐Partially SupportedThe body produces natural antioxidant compounds and enzymes like glutathione, CoQ10, and superoxide dismutase to bind and sequester reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

◐Partially SupportedPreventing DNA damage from sources like smoking is a key strategy for cancer prevention, and antioxidants may help.

◐Partially SupportedReactive oxygen and nitrogen species damage cellular components and contribute to aging diseases.

◐Partially SupportedProtein aggregates, formed due to compromised protein structure from reactive species, play a role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

◐Partially SupportedReactive nitrogen species are produced from immune cell activation and can form peroxy nitrite.

◐Partially SupportedRos/rns initiated dna damage can lead to mutations and chromosome damage, potentially inactivating tumor suppressor genes.

◐Partially SupportedGamma-tocopherol inhibits inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, and inflammation plays a role in cancer initiation.

◐Partially SupportedRigid cell membranes impair the function and structure of embedded proteins, affecting neurotransmission and cognitive function.

◐Partially SupportedAntioxidants protect DNA, proteins, and cell membranes from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS).

◐Partially SupportedMitochondria in individuals with metabolic syndrome or obesity are less efficient and produce more reactive oxygen species.

◐Partially SupportedEssential dietary antioxidants like vitamin C and E are required because the body cannot manufacture them.

◐Partially SupportedAcquiring a mutation that inactivates a tumor suppressor gene like p53 removes a critical protective pathway against cancer.

◐Partially SupportedTumor suppressor genes detect DNA damage and trigger cell death, preventing abnormal cell growth.

◐Partially SupportedVitamin E supplements should contain both alpha and gamma tocopherols, avoid megadosing, and stay around the RDA of 22.4 IU per day.

◐Partially SupportedReactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of normal mitochondrial metabolism and are involved in cellular energy production.