Nutraceuticals for Antiaging

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon in which structural and functional changes take place over time in a living organism. The relationship between diet and aging is quite interesting. Antioxidants and decrease in caloric intake help in slowing the aging phenomenon. Oxygen plays many significant roles in the body. First and foremost it is required to sustain life. However, oxygen also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is injuri-ous to health and one of the major factors responsible for aging. Healthy food and lifestyle, in addition to dietary antioxidants, are required to increase quality of life and slow the aging process. Dietary antioxidants (adaptogens, coenzyme Q10, isoflavones, anthocyanins, probiotics, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E) and microelements such as manganese, zinc, selenium, and iron help in slowing the aging process because of their ability to reduce the amount of ROS in cells, which ultimately results in an increase in life span of organisms. The objective of this chapter is to highlight the importance of antiaging nutraceuticals and to discuss modern theories of aging. Further, the role of antiaging nutraceuticals as antioxidants is described along with mechanisms to increase lifespan.