Figure 4.
Effects of dietary vitamins and minerals on aging. (A) Vitamin C and vitamin E affect aging by acting as anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS) agents, which in turn decreases or increases lifespan in a context-dependent manner. In the case of minerals, supplementation with selenium (Se4+) delays cellular senescence, whereas dietary Se4+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mn, and Zn confer short lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans and/or fruit flies. (B) Implications for vitamins and minerals in human aging. Vitamin A increases the level of inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis. Vitamin E increases blood pressure in patients with type II diabetes. Supplementation with vitamin E and C reduces insulin sensitivity by decreasing oxidative stress.