What is the oxidative theory of aging?
First proposed by Denham Harman in the 1950s, the oxidative theory of aging, also known as the free radical theory, posits that the gradual accumulation of cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a primary driver of the aging process. This damage, which affects critical macromolecules like DNA, proteins, and lipids, contributes to the progressive decline in function observed with advancing age.