|
Ginger, the life-extensionist's spice
A diet that delivers a little bit of ginger every day may not only protect against chronic diseases, but also prolong life. This suggests an animal study, which South Korean researchers at Woosuk University will soon publish in Biomolecules & Therapeutics. In that study, worms lived twenty percent longer due to exposure to 6-gingerol, a substance in ginger.
Study
The Koreans extracted 6-gingerol from ginger, and put that substance in various concentrations in the culture medium for Caenorhabditis elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans is a worm that lives for a few weeks, and with which anti-aging researchers like to experiment.
Results
Exposure to 6-gingerol prolonged the lifespan of the nematodes by about twenty percent. In this respect 6-gingerol worked better than the antioxidant 4-hydroxy-benzoic-acid.
6-Gingerol inhibited the accumulation of the 'aging molecule' lipofuscin in the nematodes. The more lipofuscin there is in tissues, the harder it is for enzymes to rejuvenate and repair those tissues.
Administration of 6-gingerol increased the concentration of the detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase in the nematodes.
Conclusion
"Consequently, 6-gingerol prolonged the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans", write the Koreans.
"In addition, 6-gingerol decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipofuscin accumulation. Thus, 6-gingerol has the potential to be an effective anti-aging compound."
"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the lifespan effect of this compound. However, the present data are preliminary, and further research is necessary to determine the definite mechanism of 6-gingerol-mediated longevity."
6-Gingerol is not the only substance with a possible life-prolonging effect in ginger. In 2018 the Koreans published another study, in which anothere ginger compound, 6-shogaol, extended the life span of Caenorhabditis elegans worms.
Source:
Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2018 Mar 14. doi: 10.4062/biomolther.2017.215. [Epub ahead of print].
More:
One gram powdered ginger daily helps prevent almost every chronic disease 13.12.2017
Ginger and turmeric are effective painkillers 06.08.2015
The joint effect of strength training and ginger supplementation 27.07.2014
Archives:
Longevity
Ginger
 |
 |
 |
|
Omega-3 fatty acids extend your life span
People who consume a relatively large amount of omega-3 fatty acids have longer telomeres than people who consume few omega-3 fatty acids. But do you really see that anti-aging effect of omega-3 fatty acids when you look at the age that people actually are able to reach?
|
Longevity-factor Q10
Maybe athletes build up more muscles in the long term if they take a few grams of N-acetylglucosamine every day.
|
Potassium rich diet protects against stroke and reduces mortality risk
A relatively high potassium intake - potassium is found mainly in fruit, vegetables and other plant products - protects against strokes and reduces the chance of dying.
|
|
