f you're inclined to add some antioxidants to your diet in the hopes of staving off aging, don't delay. A new study found that acetyl-L carnitine and alpha lipoic acid boost strength and energy in middle age.
According to a press release,
The key to the work of anti aging supplements, such as acetyl-L carnitine and alpha lipoic acid, seems to lie at how such supplements affect the cell's powerhouses—the mitochondria. Acetyl-L carnitine, for instance, effectively aids in turning fat into energy. As it also passes the blood-brain barrier easily, it also protects cells from deterioration. Thus, Acetyl-L carnitine has been shown to enhance memory and boost energy. On the other hand, alpha lipoic acid protects cells from oxidative stress. When taken together, acetyl-L carnitine and alpha lipoic acid can effectively delay the manifestations of aging.
While older rats (corresponding to 80-year-old humans) didn't show better mitochondrial function with the supplements, they did show less damage from free radicals. It's possible that the rats' cells were already too damaged to benefit in other ways.
The study was done with rats, so take it with a grain of salt — or, even better, with a dose of vitamin C.