Researchers More than Double Worms Lifespan with Co Q Deprivation

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Researchers More than Double Worms Lifespan

Researchers have more than doubled the lifespan of worms by simply depriving

them of a micronutrient called coenzyme Q. Drs. Pamela L Larsen and

F e found that adult worms fed on a coenzyme Q diet lived 59%

longer than those fed a normal diet. Coenzyme Q is an antioxidant that helps

to transport electrons during cellular respiration, however Larsen and

e say that their results suggest that the substance may also have a

" pro-oxidant " effect. If this is true, reducing the animals' consumption of

coenzyme Q may extend lifespan by lowering oxidative damage to cells.

However, the researchers say that it is not possible to lengthen the

animals' lifespan simply by feeding them a coenzyme Q-free diet from birth,

as worms fed such a diet were found to be significantly more likely to

develop reproductive defects.

SOURCE/REFERENCE: Science 2001; 295:120-123