Comments on: The Science Word 08_12_18 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/ The world according to a hula hooping, TKD black-belt wearing, radio show producing physiologist with aspirations to science journalism Tue, 22 May 2012 03:34:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: grimatongueworm http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3847 grimatongueworm Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:03:41 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3847 prrrrrrrrrrrr... brains + beauty prrrrrrrrrrrr… brains + beauty

]]> By: Thor http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3831 Thor Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:23:16 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3831 EDIT: I meant TWIS. woops! EDIT: I meant TWIS. woops!

]]> By: Thor http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3830 Thor Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:21:13 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3830 Dr. Kiki, I have a few concerns regarding your comments on antioxidants. 1) The paper you cite (Genes Dev. 2008 Dec 1;22(23):3236-41) illustrates that the manipulation of superoxide-dismutase (SOD) does not alter lifespan. You conclude that this rains on the antioxidant--anti-aging parade, implying that consumption of antioxidants is now less important. I think you may be taking it a bit too far. The authors conclude only that SOD "is not a major determinant of aging in C. elegans", nothing more. That's a wise interpretation of their data b/c the complexity of biology may provide other process to protect against oxidative stress in those mutant worms...processes in which anti-oxidant nutrients may be involved. 2) Anti-oxidants HAVE been shown to extend worm lifespans. In the most recent article on the subject (Free Radic Biol Med. 2009 Feb 1;46(3):414-21. Epub 2008 Nov 5.) the authors show "Under oxidative stress, EGCG could improve the mean longevity of C. elegans by 172.9%", and that "significant longevity-extending effects of EGCG on C. elegans could be attributed to its in vitro and in vivo free radical-scavenging effects and its up-regulating effects on stress-resistance-related proteins, including superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD-3) and heat shock protein-16.2 (HSP-16.2)" 3) The article in #2 implicates the role of superoxide-dismutase in longevity, but lets consider that this enzyme is NOT important. The importance of "antioxidants" is still not diminished as implied. The food-derived polyphenols (often called antioxidants) play important roles in a variety of physiological contexts. Using EGCG as an example again, it is involved in modulating the activity of important neuronal kinases (Biochemistry. 2006 Oct 3;45(39):12011-9), in this case, alleviating the learning deficits of Down syndrome. In summary, the paper you cite does not diminish the importance of "antioxidant" nutrients, and I hope your viewers continue to maintain a healthy diet as you mentioned. -Thor p.s. I enjoy this site and TWIG, keep up the good work! Dr. Kiki,
I have a few concerns regarding your comments on antioxidants.
1) The paper you cite (Genes Dev. 2008 Dec 1;22(23):3236-41) illustrates that the manipulation of superoxide-dismutase (SOD) does not alter lifespan. You conclude that this rains on the antioxidant–anti-aging parade, implying that consumption of antioxidants is now less important. I think you may be taking it a bit too far. The authors conclude only that SOD “is not a major determinant of aging in C. elegans”, nothing more. That’s a wise interpretation of their data b/c the complexity of biology may provide other process to protect against oxidative stress in those mutant worms…processes in which anti-oxidant nutrients may be involved.

2) Anti-oxidants HAVE been shown to extend worm lifespans. In the most recent article on the subject (Free Radic Biol Med. 2009 Feb 1;46(3):414-21. Epub 2008 Nov 5.) the authors show “Under oxidative stress, EGCG could improve the mean longevity of C. elegans by 172.9%”, and that “significant longevity-extending effects of EGCG on C. elegans could be attributed to its in vitro and in vivo free radical-scavenging effects and its up-regulating effects on stress-resistance-related proteins, including superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD-3) and heat shock protein-16.2 (HSP-16.2)”

3) The article in #2 implicates the role of superoxide-dismutase in longevity, but lets consider that this enzyme is NOT important. The importance of “antioxidants” is still not diminished as implied. The food-derived polyphenols (often called antioxidants) play important roles in a variety of physiological contexts. Using EGCG as an example again, it is involved in modulating the activity of important neuronal kinases (Biochemistry. 2006 Oct 3;45(39):12011-9), in this case, alleviating the learning deficits of Down syndrome.

In summary, the paper you cite does not diminish the importance of “antioxidant” nutrients, and I hope your viewers continue to maintain a healthy diet as you mentioned.

-Thor

p.s. I enjoy this site and TWIG, keep up the good work!

]]> By: Dave Friedel http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3810 Dave Friedel Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:44:43 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3810 What about the impact of Telomere theory? What happens societally if we discover how to stop aging? What if people could be 500 years old or more? Would my parents actually get on Facebook by then? These and other questions should be answered in the next episode. ;) What about the impact of Telomere theory? What happens societally if we discover how to stop aging? What if people could be 500 years old or more? Would my parents actually get on Facebook by then?

These and other questions should be answered in the next episode. ;)

]]> By: Dana http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3779 Dana Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:10:54 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3779 Dr. Sanford, You just reminded us that cramming IS a method that lets us poor students remember information long enough for our tests. I'm soooo going to reference you from now on. Few things bug me more when people say cramming doesn't work (when it clearly can). Dr. Sanford,
You just reminded us that cramming IS a method that lets us poor students remember information long enough for our tests. I’m soooo going to reference you from now on. Few things bug me more when people say cramming doesn’t work (when it clearly can).

]]> By: juli http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3777 juli Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:13:36 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3777 what a good looking doctor.... what a good looking doctor….

]]> By: David Boring http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3774 David Boring Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:29:38 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3774 I heart Dr. Kiki. I heart Dr. Kiki.

]]> By: Nicholas McDowell http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3773 Nicholas McDowell Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:14:25 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3773 Awesome. Thank you. Love the out takes. Adds personality. Awesome. Thank you. Love the out takes. Adds personality.

]]> By: Rick http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3771 Rick Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:59:07 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3771 Hi, Kirsten, I've been listening to TWIS for about 6 months now, and just found this site through the Skeptiblog. You're probably sick of hearing this, but you rock! The way you make science accessible is fantastic. Thanks for all of your efforts to help clear away the fog of ignorance that has settled over this country in the last 8 years. Very sincerely, Rick T. Tampa, FL Hi, Kirsten,
I’ve been listening to TWIS for about 6 months now, and just found this site through the Skeptiblog. You’re probably sick of hearing this, but you rock! The way you make science accessible is fantastic. Thanks for all of your efforts to help clear away the fog of ignorance that has settled over this country in the last 8 years.

Very sincerely,
Rick T.
Tampa, FL

]]> By: Ben http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3762 Ben Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:17:29 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2009/01/15/the-science-word-08_12_18/#comment-3762 And I was SURE my life would be extended by consuming 1 lb of dark chocolate per day! In any case, if oxidation causes disease, I find it hard to believe there's much that can stop this, given that we are surrounded by and filled with the stuff (oxygen, that is). And I was SURE my life would be extended by consuming 1 lb of dark chocolate per day!

In any case, if oxidation causes disease, I find it hard to believe there’s much that can stop this, given that we are surrounded by and filled with the stuff (oxygen, that is).

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