Old mice run faster with supplements

March 3, 2010

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PICTURE

Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton have developed a cocktail

of ingredients that forestalls major aspects of the aging process in mice.

Generally, aging diminishes the mind and compromises physical capacity.

David Rollo, a professor of biology at McMaster has found a cocktail of 30

dietary supplements such as B vitamins, vitamin D, ginseng and garlic

counteracts symptoms of aging in mice.

The experiment was prompted by research that suggests single vitamin and

antioxidant pills don't work. The researchers wondered if mixing the

ingredients would.

Rollo said the results were profound, as not only were the mice twice as

active, they also seemed to get smarter.

When researchers examined the animals' brains, they found the cells were

generating fewer of the free radicals that cause aging â€” evidence that they

say shows the supplements make a difference.

" You donâ€™t know what the interaction effects might be, " in humans, Rollo

cautioned. It will take years of clinical trials to determine if the

supplement is safe and effective for people.

The team is now using crickets to try to figure out what role each of the

30 ingredients plays. So far, crickets that were fed the supplements have

double the normal lifespan.

Click on the top right to watch the difference in activity levels between

a brown mouse fed the supplement and a grey, balding one fed a regular

diet. The mice are the same age.

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