Life can be sweeter if you cut out the sugar — and the vitamins:
The German team used a chemical that blocked the worms’ ability to process glucose in a treatment that extended their life span by up to 25 percent, the equivalent of 15 years in humans.The worms unable to depend on glucose increased energy power sources in certain cells for fuel. That activity produced more free radicals, which in turn generated enzymes that strengthened long-time protection against the harmful molecules, Ristow said.
However, antioxidants and vitamins given to some worms erased these benefits by neutralizing free radicals and preventing the body from generating the defenses, Ristow said.
“These latter findings tentatively suggest that the widespread use of antioxidants as human food supplements may exert undesirable effects,” the researchers wrote.
Living organisms are complex systems.