The family member of a patient asks if vitamin C will prevent aging. In formulating an appropriate response, the nurse considers the:

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The free radical theory posits that aging is a result of random damage from free radicals. Research is ongoing on the ability of substances with antioxidant effects to counter the actions of free radicals. For many years it was thought that consumption of supplemental antioxidants, such as vitamin C, could delay or minimize the effects of aging. However, it is now known that the intake of supplemental antioxidants can be deleterious to one's health. The autoimmune theory posits that the cells of the immune system become progressively more diversified with age and lose self-regulatory ability. The use of vitamin C is not associated with this theory. The wear-and-tear theory posits that cellular errors are the result of wearing out over time due to constant use. The continuity theory is a sociological theory that deals with the tendency of individuals to develop and maintain consistent patterns of behavior throughout their lives.

The Family Member of a Patient Asks If Vitamin C