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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| The free radical theory of ageing | | Author(s) | Susan van Rensburg, F C V Potocnik |
| Journal title | Southern African Journal of Gerontology, vol 7, no 2, October 1998 |
| Pages | pp 36-36 |
| Keywords | Biological ageing ; Nutrition ; Endocrine systems ; Theory. |
| Annotation | The free radical theory of ageing hypothesises that ageing is a consequence of incomplete activation of certain harmful toxins (called reactive oxygen species, or ROS) by the body's defence systems. ROS are produced by the body as a direct consequence of its need for oxygen to survive. They are produced either accidentally in the process of energy production, or deliberately, to annihilate bacteria and viruses. ROS produced in excess damage cell membranes, proteins and even DNA. It is hypothesised that the damage cannot always be reversed, and hence causes the deterioration seen in the body during ageing. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-990206213 A |
| Classmark | BH: CF: BKH: 4D |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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