WHAT IS C60?
C60 is one of the most powerful antioxidants ever discovered.
TOP 10 Health Benefits of Carbon 60 by Ken Swartz, MS, Co-founder, Chairman Emeritus, and former Chief Science Officer at C60 Power.
What is C60?
C60 is the single-most powerful antioxidant ever discovered—a naturally occurring molecule that may be the most amazing chemistry discovery of the century.
“C60” is short for Carbon 60. It’s a molecule with 60 tiny atoms shaped like a hollow soccer ball and characterized by those who’ve studied it as a “free radical sponge”. Not only is it several hundred times more powerful than conventional antioxidants, it can actually “reset” itself. So, while typical antioxidants can only neutralize one free radical at a time, C60’s free radical neutralizing power never diminishes.
History and Discovery of Carbon 60
The C60 molecule was originally hypothesized to exist by Buckminster Fuller, in 1979. He predicted that the existence of the C60 carbon molecule would revolutionize medicine. And he was right. Because the three scientists who ultimately discovered it in 1985, Robert Curl, Harold Kroto, and Richard Smalley, were awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1996. They named the molecule, in Fuller’s honor, calling it a “Buckminsterfullerene.” Or “buckyballs” for short.
Composed of 60 carbon atoms forming something that looks like a hollow soccer ball, C60 is the only molecule of a single element to form a spherical cage, giving it unparalleled physical and chemical properties. That’s the primary reason it’s been the focus of extensive biomedical research.
Where does C60 come from?
Not only is C60 found in nature, but it very likely predates life on Earth. It is produced by dying stars, called red giants, and it can be found in meteor impacts, lightning strikes, and very tiny amounts can be found in the burnt wicks of candles. It is probable that buckyballs have existed for a very long time in nature. The incredible versatility and resilience of C60 has led some to suggest that C60 may have played a part in the formation of life itself. High purity C60 (99.99%) is produced in a laboratory for human and animal consumption (no, they don’t harvest it in outer space).
Why Do People Take C60?
People use C60 to support their overall well-being in many ways. C60 works at the cellular level to lift the oxidative burden while neutralizing free radicals. Many people are interested in C60’s ability to help optimize mitochondrial function, and its ability to promote a balanced immune response. People who are noticing age-related memory loss appreciate C60, especially for its ability to help promote energy and mental clarity. Many athletes note benefits to performance and decreased recovery times. C60 may promote skin vitality and hair growth and may lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when applied topically. People also use C60 for their pets to support longevity, a healthy immune response, and overall wellness.
C60 Health Benefits
C60 is characterized as a free-radical sponge and works at the cellular level by lifting the oxidative burden. C60 helps to optimize mitochondrial function by enhancing energy production in the cells. Most people note an increase in energy and mental clarity after consuming C60 on a daily basis for 30 days or more.
How can you find quality C60?
What sets apart some C60 manufacturing processes from others is the method used to purify the C60. Not all C60 purification methods are created equally. Most companies use the “vacuum oven-baked” method which involves the use of toxic solvents, like toluene. Look for sublimated C60 instead - you’ll pay a little more for it - but is a much cleaner product. Sublimation uses no solvents at any point during the purification process.
Also, be sure to only buy 99.99% pure C60 - this is the highest grade C60 available. If a company says their C60 is 99.9%, or 99.95%, - that is considered lower-grade C60 that has not been fully purified - so there is a good chance that solvents are remaining in the C60.
Our C60 products are made with 99.99% pure, sublimated Carbon 60 - never exposed to solvents. All of C60 Power’s products are also third-party tested for purity, quality, concentration, and bioavailability.
Not only are C60 Power’s products made with 99.99% pure, sublimated C60, but our C60 is fully dissolved in and made with 100% organic, farm-direct oils: organic extra virgin olive oil, organic avocado oil, and organic MCT coconut oil. This means you can ensure you’re getting the best possible C60 in the industry today.
HOW MUCH C60 SHOULD YOU TAKE?
C60 should be taken regularly for best results. If you are new to C60, incorporate it into your daily routine by taking a serving size of one or more teaspoons in the morning with water. Eat food within the hour for better absorption. Some C60 users report noticeable effects after just 30 days.
Sources:
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- Andrievsky, Grigory V., et al. "Pharmacokinetics and Antioxidant Properties of C60 Fullerene in Rats." Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, vol. 16, no. 5-6, 2008, pp. 577-586. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19755733/
- Quick, Kevin L., et al. "Carboxyfullerene SOD Mimetic Improves Cognition and Extends Lifespan in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis." Neurobiology of Aging, vol. 33, no. 7, 2012, pp. 1418-1428. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20036139/
- Chen, Liang-Ju, et al. “Fullerene Nanomaterials Inhibit the Allergic Response.” Journal of Immunology, vol. 179, no. 1, 2007, pp. 665–672. https://journals.aai.org/jimmunol/article/179/1/665/80873/Fullerene-Nanomaterials-Inhibit-the-Allergic
- Markovic, Zoran, et al. "C60 Fullerene in Orthopaedics: Cartilage and Bone Regeneration." Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 4, 2013, p. 175. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4124742/
- Chistyakov, V. A., et al. "Feasibility of the C60 Fullerene Antioxidant Study in a Model of Peritoneal Inflammation." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol. 147, no. 6, 2009, pp. 726-729. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Feasibility-of-the-C60-Fullerene-Antioxidant-Study-Chistyakov-Smirnova/627cd9f80521f8bdf8752e8ba7ce8952268053c2
- Dugan, Laura L., et al. "Buckminsterfullerenol free radical scavengers reduce excitotoxic and apoptotic death of cultured cortical neurons." Neurobiology of Disease, vol. 3, no. 1, 1996, pp. 129-135. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9173920/
- Tykhomyrov, Alexander A., et al. "Fullerene C60 Prevents Neurotoxicity Induced by Intrahippocampal Injection of Amyloid-β Peptide." Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, vol. 8, no. 10, 2008, pp. 5403-5412. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19223242/
- Nakamura, Eiji, et al. “C60 Carboxyfullerene Exerts a Protective Activity Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 282, no. 3, 2001, pp. 704–709. C60_Carboxyfullerene_Exerts_a_Protective_Activity_against_Oxidative_Stress-Induced_Apoptosis_in_Human_Peripheral_Blood_Mononuclear_Cells
- Ali, Sameh S., et al. "A Biologically Effective Fullerene (C60) Derivative with Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Properties." Free Radical Biology and Medicine, vol. 37, no. 8, 2004, pp. 1191-1202. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15451059/
- Injac, Radmila, et al. "Protective Effects of Fullerenol C60(OH)24 against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity in Rats with Colorectal Carcinoma." Biomaterials, vol. 30, no. 6, 2009, pp. 1184-1196. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19028561/