No link between antioxidants and anti-ageing

Claims that antioxidants can slow down the ageing process have been cast into doubt, following he findings of a new study.

The compounds, which are commonly used in anti-ageing creams may have no anti-ageing benefits after a team from University College London found there was “no clear evidence” that they could slow down ageing.

Antioxidants have long been seen to minimise oxidative stress, which can cause ageing. This assumption is based on a dominant theory that has been around since the 1950s.

However the UCL study, in which scientists genetically manipulated the nematode worm to see if antioxidants prolonged their lifespan, showed that the worms lived just as long as non-manipulated variants, suggesting that oxidative stress plays less of a dominant role in the ageing process as previously thought. The research has also been supported by the Wellcome Trust.

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) has responded by saying the study is not necessarily applicable to humans and that by law cosmetic companies have to substantiate any claims made.

“Findings on the genetics of a particular nematode worm may not be directly relevant to the complex process of ageing as it happens in higher animals such as the human,” commented CTPA director general, Dr Chris Flower. “Claims made for cosmetic products are subject to strict advertising controls overseen in the UK by the Advertising Standards Authority and by Clearcast, which pre-clears all television advertising in the UK, as well as legal requirements under the European Cosmetics Directive.”