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Does Oxygen Contribute to Aging? The Paradoxical Role of Reactive Species

Oxygen is fundamental for aerobic life, yet its metabolism produces reactive byproducts that have long been theorized to drive the aging process. The question of **does oxygen contribute to aging** is complex, centering on the delicate balance between oxygen's life-giving energy and the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). This balance is now understood to be a key factor in how cells manage damage over a lifetime.