Two of the effects of aging are the weakening of our immune systems capability to fight infection and tumor cells, and the reduction of our antioxidant capacity. The latter provides a defense against normally occurring oxygen radicals which destroy healthy tissue.

Scientists at the conference Towards Prolongation of the Healthy Life Span* revealed that Sea Cucumber, a kind of sea animal available in some supplements, results in an increase in our NK (Natural Killer) cells' defense against invasion and tumor cells. And, it increases our production of SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase), a powerful antioxidant.

S.O.D. was discovered by Dr. Joe McCord while a graduate doctoral student at Duke University. His achievement led to the subsequent explosion in the study of oxygen radicals throughout the scientific community, still continuing.

*From Annals of the N.Y. Academy of Sciences, 11-20-98, by Drs.Yong-Xing et al, Division of Aging and Anti-Aging, Institute of Gerontology of Shanghai Huading Hospital, Shanghai 200040, China.