Hobamine supplement studied for combatting oxidative stress

2-Hoba is a dietary supplement containing hobamine (2-HOBA, patented and marketed as part of the global fight against the effects of ageing. A significant new hope in the field of anti-ageing, it is the subject of numerous scientific studies because of its potential effects on oxidative stress, and its direct impact on ageing.

It forms part of our Anti-ageing category, an essential element of the SuperSmart catalogue.

What accounts for the benefits of this hobamine supplement?

A compound naturally present in Himalayan Buckwheat, 2-HOBA has been shown in in vitro studies to offer benefits in combatting oxidative stress (1).

Unlike antioxidants, which neutralise the free radicals responsible for oxidative stress, hobamine directly targets the adverse effects of that oxidative stress.

Several studies (2-3) suggest it affects products of lipid peroxidation (a process involved in oxidative stress) called IsoLGs, a family of γ-ketoaldehydes. Particularly harmful, these by-products react almost instantly with proteins, DNA and other cell components, resulting in pathophysiological changes to cells, and gradually affecting every essential function in the body.

Its approach complements that of antioxidants, but importantly, it has a different focus. Antioxidants target free radicals indiscriminately, but these reactive molecules sometimes play a beneficial role in the body, and will never go on to cause oxidative stress.

What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS or free radicals) and the body’s antioxidant capacity to defend itself. ROS are toxic by-products of normal metabolism, though they can be useful for cell signalling and regulation when their numbers are controlled.

Ultimately, this imbalance leads to an accumulation of cell damage(4), which can precipitate the onset of metabolic, cardiac and neurodegenerative disorders and accelerate the ageing process.

This process is exacerbated when the DNA at the root of the antioxidant and repair systems is itself compromised: once this crossroads is passed, deterioration in cell function is the likely outcome. In other words, the body’s finite capacity for withstanding oxidative stress having been exhausted, accelerated ageing is inevitable. A truly vicious circle.

A state of oxidative stress can have several causes: an external stressor (smoking, regular alcohol consumption …), antioxidant deficiency, chronic lack of sleep, heavy metal poisoning, depletion of the body’s reserves for fighting oxidative stress …