The Role of Antioxidants in Longevity and Age-Related Diseases

The average life expectancy has increased worldwide in the recent decades. This has presented new challenges as old age brings the onset of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies and research have shown the potential preventive and therapeutic roles of antioxidants in aging and age-related diseases by inhibiting the formation or disrupting the propagation of free radicals and thus increasing healthy longevity, enhancing immune function, and decreasing oxidative stress. This has made an antioxidant rich diet of increasing importance in battling the detrimental effects of the aging process. “ The Role of Antioxidants in Longevity and Age-Related Diseases ” is the book that compiles research on antioxidants and their biological mechanisms that mediate age-related diseases. This book covers the major issues linked to antioxidants, aging, and age-related diseases, including changes in organ systems over the lifespan, age-related oxidative stress-induced redox imbalance, inflammaging, implications of inflammation in aging and age-related diseases, and the important role of antioxidant-rich foods in their prevention and treatment of various age-related diseases. For researchers seeking a comprehensive single source on antioxidants and their roles in aging and age-related diseases, this novel text provides an up-to-date overview. Preface 5 Contents 7 Chapter 1: Introduction and Background 10 References 13 Chapter 2: Changes in Organ Systems over the Lifespan 16 2.1 Changes in Nervous System 16 2.2 Changes in Cognitive Function 17 2.3 Changes in Skin 21 2.4 Changes in Cardiovascular System 22 2.5 Changes in Renal System 24 2.6 Changes in Gastrointestinal System 25 2.7 Changes in Neuroendocrine Response 26 References 26 Chapter 3: Age-Related Oxidative Stress-Induced Redox Imbalance 35 3.1 Aging and Oxidative Stress 35 3.2 Redox Imbalance in Diabetes 37 3.3 Redox Imbalance in Neurodegenerative Disease 37 3.4 Redox Imbalance in Cancer 38 3.5 Redox Imbalance in Cardiovascular Disease 39 References 40 Chapter 4: Chronic Inflammation and Aging (Inflammaging) 46 4.1 Sources of Chronic Inflammation during Aging 47 4.1.1 Immunoglobulin or Cell Debris Production 49 4.1.2 The Microbiota and Gut Mucosa in Elderly 50 4.1.3 Cell Senescence 50 4.1.4 Immunosenescence 51 4.1.5 Coagulation and Fibrinolysis System 51 References 53 Chapter 5: Implications of Inflammation in Aging and Age-Related Diseases 58 5.1 Obesity 58 5.2 Neurodegenerative Diseases 60 5.3 Atherosclerosis 63 5.3.1 NADPH Oxidases 64 5.3.2 Xanthine Oxidase 65 5.3.3 Mitochondria 65 5.3.4 Dysfunctional, “Uncoupled” Endothelial NO Synthase 66 5.4 Cancer 67 5.5 Diabetes 69 5.6 Osteoporosis 71 References 74 Chapter 6: Antioxidant and Age-Related Diseases 88 6.1 Antioxidant 88 6.2 Natural Antioxidants 89 6.3 Mechanism of Action of Antioxidants 94 6.4 Reversal of Age-Related Changes by Antioxidants 97 6.5 Natural Products as a Protective Agent against Age-Related Diseases 100 6.5.1 Fruits and Vegetables 101 6.5.2 Whole Grains 105 6.5.3 Milk and Dairy Products 108 6.5.4 Olive and Fish Oils 111 6.6 Dietary Antioxidants and Age-Related Diseases 113 6.6.1 Curcumin 113 6.6.2 Epigallocatechin Gallate 124 6.6.3 Resveratrol 131 References 139 Chapter 7: The Role of Antioxidant on Health and Age-Related Diseases in Aging 164 7.1 Low Molecular Weight Antioxidant 164 7.2 Glutathione 165 7.3 Polyphenol 170 7.4 Carotenoids 189 7.5 Dietary Minerals 201 7.6 Ascorbic Acid 210 7.7 Vitamin E 219 7.8 Ubiquinone 224 7.9 Organosulfur Compounds 232 7.10 Ergothioneine 237 7.11 Betalains 240 7.12 Carnosine and Anserine 244 References 248 Chapter 8: Summary and Future Prospects 284 References 286 Conclusion 287 Index 288