Recently I read some very interesting literature on a highly unusual form of carbon, C-60. I have been on a quest to find out as much as I can. The research is not well publicized. Information is rather limited. It is.very possible that findings have led to special interests and research maybe happening in fields outside of public access or query.
Here is what I know so far:
CARBON 60
The possibility of a carbon molecule existing in this form was mentioned and then predicted in 1965-1970. The molecule may exist in a sphere form, elliptical, tubular or many other forms but the common theme seems to be that it exists as a closed structure.
Usual carbon molecule with bonds to other compounds.
Carbon 60:
Robert Curl and Richard Smalley from Rice University, discovered C60. In 1996 along with Kroto they were awarded the Nobel prize in chemistry.
It was after the hypothesis and final discovery of C-60 molecules ( also known as FULLERENES) in the labs that they were found to exist in nature.
In 1992, fullerenes were found in a family of minerals known as Shungites in Karelia, Russia. To this day, Karelia remains the most abundant natural source of C-60 for public purchase. They come to you in the form of powdered rocks or rocks. These are known as SHUNGITE
Somehow somewhere research on health benefits of C60 started. There is a very famous study on mice published in 2011 and other studies published thereafter. Next pic is a snapshot of one of these studies.
There was then great interest on mechanisms of the anti aging and protective effects of C 60. Here is one research:
This post mentions the following:
“Novel mechanism of antioxidant activity of buckminsterfullerene C60 based on protons absorbing and mild uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration and phosphorylation was postulated. In the present study we confirm this hypothesis using computer modeling based on Density Functional Theory. Fullerene’s geroprotective activity is sufficiently higher than those of the most powerful reactive oxygen species scavengers. We propose here that C60 has an ability to acquire positive charge by absorbing inside several protons and this complex could penetrate into mitochondria. Such a process allows for mild uncoupling of respiration and phosphorylation. This, in turn, leads to the decrease in ROS production.”
These and other studies have led to companies selling FULLERENES, mainly in olive oil.
It would be great if we could prolong our life spans by simple consumption of C60.
Not all looks great. There are theoretical studies suggesting great harm to DNA.
A human population based study is unlikely to come by ( due to theoretical damage)except perhaps in the terminally ill. There will likely remain great uncertainty to the risk/benefit ratio.
There are some great posts on the subject at the following website. For those interested in Fullerenes, I am suggesting that the reader make a personal and informed decision.
http://www.anti-agingfirewalls.com
You must know the risk of harm before you do it.
As far as I am concerned, I am disclosing my persuasions. Instead I thought you might enjoy a random picture from my kitchen counter.
See you at 50 or 120.
Happy living.