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Denham Herman, Pioneer of Free Radical Theory of Aging, Dead at 98

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By: TOM BRANNA

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Dr. Denham Herman, pioneer of research on aging, passed away at the age of 98. He developed the “Free Radical Theory of Aging” in 1954. His hypothesis however, did not attract any serious consideration from the medical community for almost 30 years.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules generated in normal chemical processes in the body, cause aging and disease through their destructive actions on cells and tissues, resulting in aging, and ultimately death. Free radicals have now become part of research into cancer, cardiovascular, strokes and Alzeimer’s diseases. Dr. Herman believed that the aging process could be slowed by reducing the production of free radicals with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and taking certain vitamins. However, long-term studies have not supported his claim that antioxidants slow aging. Some studies have suggested that antioxidant supplementation can even be harmful.

Dr. Herman’s views were well ahead of their time and they will continue to be researched further into global anti-aging research laboratories. —Dr. Navin Geria

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