How to Slow Aging, Part II
Stopping Oxidation

Healthy Aging

Oxygen is our friend… and our foe

For five weeks, we are covering the peer-reviewed Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism paper highlighting the most exciting avenues that scientists are pursuing to slow aging and help us enjoy more healthy years.

This week, let’s talk about oxidation.

While we all know that we need oxygen to live, did you know that oxygen also causes our cells to age, leading to our inevitable demise?

Similar to an apple slice turning brown after leaving it on the counter for a few hours, oxygen causes our cells to age and break down over time. This process is called oxidation. Interestingly, the types of fats that make up our cell membranes determine how much our cells oxidize, how long cells function, and even how long we live.

So, which fats are most resistant to oxidation?

It is well known that polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3s, are particularly fragile and susceptible to oxidation. This is why many omega-3 fish oils add the antioxidant Vitamin E – to counter oxidation driven by omegas.

On the other hand, healthy saturated fats, like C15:0, are remarkably sturdy and resistant against oxidation. Studies have even shown that C15:0 can help repair fragile cells.

What does this mean to my long-term health?

As we age, our C15:0 levels tend to decline, and a growing body of science supports that declining C15:0 levels may contribute to our increased risk of oxidation and cell breakdown with age. This implies that we need C15:0 in our cells – even more than omega-3s, especially as we age.

In fact, A.J. Hulbert introduced the Membrane Pacemaker Theory of Aging, where he shows that long-lived mammals have cell membranes containing a higher amount of sturdier, higher-saturated fats – which correlated with lower oxidative stress. In comparison, short-lived mammals have higher levels of fragile polyunsaturated fatty acids, which correlate with higher oxidative stress.

So, what’s the take home point? Nature’s trick to slowing oxidation and (truly) living longer is to build cells with sturdier fats. Go nature.