Vitamin Cocktail for Healthy Aging

HAMILTON, OntarioA combination of nutritional ingredients appears to bolster mental and physical capacity in aging mice, according to a research team at McMaster University. CBC News reported David Rollo, a professor of biology, developed a mix of 30 ingredients including B vitamins, vitamin D, ginseng and garlic, after reviewing research studies suggesting single vitamin or antioxidant pills were ineffective in fighting aging.

Instead, administering the combination formula to the mice doubled their activity levels and brain function. According to Rollo, when the animals brains were examined, there was less evidence of free radical generation.

Whether the results are applicable in humans is still unknown, Rollo said, as the nutrient interactions could have different effects. For now, the McMaster team is using crickets to determine the mechanism of action of each ingredient. So far, crickets fed the combination supplement have had twice the normal lifespan.