Antioxidants: Good, Bad, or Ineffective in Terms of Aging and Lifespan? It Depends

Abstract

The problem of antioxidant efficiency in terms of their impact on “normal” aging and age-related diseases is discussed. It is emphasized that for many years antioxidants were considered the most promising geroprotectors (anti-aging drugs) capable of slowing down aging, treating age-related diseases and increasing both the average and maximum lifespan of animals and humans. However, as noted, in recent years the situation has begun to change dramatically. The methodological aspects of this problem are considered—in particular, the complexity of the correct selection of effective concentrations of such drugs in experimental gerontological studies on both multicellular organisms and cell cultures is emphasized. The literature data is analyzed, indicating that, in many cases, antioxidants, unfortunately, can even be harmful to the body, causing “paradoxical” oxidative stress and suppressing some important physiological functions.