What is C60?

C60 is found in nature and in the atmosphere of giant red stars. It’s considered to be one of the most powerful antioxidants known.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.

How to use this website:

Below, you will find information regarding C60 research. As you review this information, it is important to note that only singly dissolved molecules of C60 (in oil) are useful for human and animal consumption. The research studies listed in the top section of this page (noted under the headline listed in blue), are relevant studies using C60 that is safe for human and animal consumption. The research studies listed towards the bottom of this page (noted under the headline listed in red), are not useful or relevant for human or animal consumption. These studies used either particles or nanoparticles of C60, not singularly dissolved molecules of C60. As mentioned above, only singularly dissolved molecules of C60 (in an oil) would have health benefits and would be safe for human and animal consumption. C60 is not water soluble unless polyhydroxylated, and studies suggesting C60 was suspended in water, unless using polyhydroxylated C60, would not be useful for human or animal consumption. It is also important to note the distinction between Liposomal C60 and Polyhydroxylated C60 (singly dissolved molecules of C60).

• Both of these methods are only delivery systems of C60. The C60 molecule must disassociate from the oil and the hydroxyl radicals must be fully shed from the C60 before they become biologically active. 

 It is important to note the difference between particles of C60 verses singly dissolved molecules of C60.

• Only single molecules of C60 have been found in scientific studies to have any positive biological benefits. Studies using particles of C60 have only had negative effects. 

C60 Research

The C60 in the studies below have been dissolved in an oil or polyhydroxylated solution. While studies using polyhydroxylated C60 are relevant to the kind of C60 used for health benefits, this form of C60 is cost-prohibitive and not available to the consumer market. Both of these methods are only delivery systems of C60. The C60 molecule must disassociate from the oil and the hydroxyl radicals must be fully shed from the C60 before they become biologically active.

C60 Research Studies showing benefits of singly dissolved molecules of C60:

C60 + Longevity

The 2012 Paris Baati study is probably the most famous C60 experiment. It showed that C60 was not only non-toxic, but it increased the lifespan of rats by 90%. Rats were given measured amounts of C60 in olive oil every day. The prolongation of the lifespan of rats by repeated oral administration of [60] fullerene

• Study strengths: The amount the C60 the rats received daily was exactly measured.
• Study weaknesses: After the last control rat died, C60 administration was stopped for the remaining rats. So the full potential benefit of the C60 over a longer duration of time was not explored.
• Other findings:
  • This study suggests that the increase in lifespan was due to C60’s ability to reduce age-associated oxidative stress.

In a 2008 study, C60 improved cognition and extended the lifespan of mice. A carboxyfullerene SOD mimetic improves cognition and extends the lifespan of mice

• Study strength: This study was done in vivo, in living mice.
• Study weakness: Polyhydroxylated C60 was administered in the drinking water of the mice, so the exact amount of ingested C60 was unknown.

C60 is non-toxic

In this study, rats were given 1 gram of C60 per kilogram of body weight and no toxicity was found. Sub-acute oral toxicity study with fullerene C60 in rats

• Study strengths: This study was done in vivo, in living mice. The amount of C60 administered to the test rats in this study was approximately 10,000 times the amount used in previous studies that found C60 to be beneficial. Even at this extreme amount, C60 was found to have no toxicity.
• Study weakness: This study was done on test animals, not humans.

C60 + Aging

In this 2010 double-blind, human study, it was found that when applied topically, C60 was effective at reducing wrinkles. Fullerene is effective against wrinkles

• Study strengths: This double-blind study was done on humans and was the first human study showing the health benefits of topically applied C60.
• Study weaknesses: None.

C60 may be effective at combating hair loss. In this 2009 study, C60 was found to promote hair growth. Researchers believe it does this by protecting the cells around hair follicles from oxidative damage. Fullerene nanomaterials potentiate hair growth

• Study strengths: Topically applied C60 was shown to promote hair growth.
• Study weaknesses: However, C60 did not appear to stimulate inactive hair follicles.

In 2010, C60 was found to protect human skin cells against UV damage. Fullerene-C60/liposome complex: Defensive effects against UVA-induced damages in skin structure, nucleus and collagen type I/IV fibrils, and the permeability into human skin tissue

• Study strengths: C60 was shown to prevent the breakdown of collagen type I/IV, DNA strand cleavage, and pyknosis/karyorrhexis.
• Study weakness: This study was done with human skin cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + Scavenger of Free Radicals

C60 is characterized as a “free radical sponge” with an antioxidant efficacy several hundred-fold higher than conventional antioxidants. The Applications of Buckminsterfullerene C60 and Derivatives in Orthopedic Research

• Study strengths: This study reviewed a large number of previous research studies showing that C60 had beneficial effects in a wide range of applications.
• Study weakness: None.

C60 was found to be protective against free radical damage caused by induced toxins. C60 Carboxyfullerene Exerts a Protective Activity against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

• Study strengths: C60 showed a strong protective effect.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + Immune Response

C60 was found to enhance the production of immune cells, such as lymphocytes (white blood cells). Immunostimulatory properties and enhanced TNF- alpha mediated cellular immunity for tumor therapy by C60

• Study strengths: Significantly increased human immune cells production.
• Study weakness: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 was found to promote a healthy inflammatory response. Fullerene Nanomaterials Inhibit the Allergic Response

• Study strengths: Moderated release of histamines from human Mast cells.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + Inflammatory (Allergic) Response

In a 2007 study, C60 was found to inhibit allergic response, and researchers believe it may play a role in controlling allergy-related inflammatory conditions. Fullerene Nanomaterials Inhibit the Allergic Response

• Study strengths: C60 may be useful in controlling allergies and cytokine storms in humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

A 1996 study found that C60 Fullerenes are biological antioxidant compounds that can reduce the body’s response to allergies. Buckminsterfullerenol free radical scavengers reduce excitotoxic and apoptotic death of cultured cortical neurons

• Study strengths: C60 prevented death in nerve cells.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + Cognitive Function

In a 2001 animal study, C60 showed strong neuroprotective properties. Fullerene-based Antioxidants and Neurodegenerative Disorders

• Study strengths: Strongly protected nerve cells.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done in vivo, in living mice.

C60 prevented cognitive decline in mice. A carboxyfullerene SOD mimetic improves cognition and extends the lifespan of mice

• Study strengths: C60 prevented cognitive decline in mice.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done in vivo, in living mice. As the

Polyhydroxylated C60 was administered in the drinking water of the mice, the exact amount of ingested C60 was also unknown.

C60 + Antimicrobial Properties

C60 was found to be an antimicrobial agent for group A streptococcus. Inhibition of Group A Streptococcus Infection by Carboxyfullerene

• Study strengths: C60 inhibited disease causing bacteria.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done in vivo, in living mice.

C60 was found, in a 2013 study, to effectively combat the flu virus. C60 compounds can help inhibit Influenza A

• Study strengths: Found anti-flu effects
• Study strengths and weaknesses: Had compounds attached to the C60 molecule. This study was done in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + UV Damage and Other Ionizing Radiation

C60 protects skin cells from UV damage. Fullerene-C60/liposome Complex: Defensive Effects Against UVA-induced Damages in Skin Structure, Nucleus and Collagen Type I/IV Fibrils, and the Permeability Into Human Skin Tissue

• Study strengths: C60 strongly protects human skin cells.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 protected mice from ionizing radiation. The Polyhydroxylated Fullerene Derivative C60(OH)24 Protects Mice From Ionizing-Radiation-Induced Immune and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

• Study strengths: It was found that 2-week C60 pretreatment effectively reduced whole body irradiation-induced mortality without apparent toxicity.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with mice.

C60 + Metabolism and Weight

This 2010 study found that C60 prevents cells from turning into fat cells, in both mice and humans and may effectively help prevent weight gain. The effect of squalane-dissolved fullerene-C60 on adipogenesis-accompanied oxidative stress and macrophage activation in a preadipocyte-monocyte co-culture system

• Study strengths: C60 worked in both animal and human cells.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 + Nerves

Nerves can die from oxidative stress and overstimulation. In this study, C60 protected nerves from dying due to “overwork” in cell cultures. Buckminsterfullerenol free radical scavengers reduce excitotoxic and apoptotic death of cultured cortical neurons

• Study strengths: Strongly protected human nerve cells from oxidative stress and overstimulation.
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 protects neurons from SOD, a reactive oxidative species (free radical), associated with tissue injury and inflammation. SOD activity of carboxyfullerenes predicts their neuroprotective efficacy: A structure-activity study

• Study strengths: Theoretically C60 strongly protective.
• Study weaknesses: Computer simulation, no real experimentation.

C60 + Bones and Joints

C60 was found to maintain bone health and mineral density. Use of fullerenes for the treatment of mast cell and basophil-mediated disease 

• Study strengths: US Patent granted
• Study weaknesses: This study was done with human cells in vitro, in a test tube.

C60 protected cartilage cells from aging prematurely or dying off and increased cartilage production by reducing the enzymes that can destroy it. Water-soluble C60 fullerene prevents degeneration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis via down-regulation of chondrocyte catabolic activity and inhibition of cartilage degeneration during disease development

• Study strengths: They also found positive results when C60 was injected in rabbits. So likely positive results would be found in humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study found positive results with C60 in human cells (in vitro), not confirmed with living humans.

C60 Research Studies using particles of C60, and other non-beneficial forms and methods of C60:

DNA Damage from Particles of C60

Particles of C60 suspended in oil caused DNA damage in rats, changing the DNA expression of the lungs and liver. Oxidatively Damaged DNA in Rats Exposed by Oral Gavage to C60 Fullerenes and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

• Study strengths: None. Not relevant to C60 that would be consumed by humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study uses nanoparticles of C60, not singly dissolved molecules. Nanoparticles of C60 have never been shown to have any health benefits. In fact, nanoparticles of any substance can have negative effects on health. Only singly dissolved molecules of C60 are shown to be beneficial.

Toxicity from Particles of C60

This study found that sister chromatid exchange and micronucleation occur more often from particles of C60 — this can be a source of DNA mutation. In Vitro and In Vivo Genotoxicity Induced by Fullerene (C60) and Kaolin

• Study strengths: None. Not relevant to C60 that would be consumed by humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study uses nanoparticles of C60, not singly dissolved molecules. Nanoparticles of C60 have never been shown to have any health benefits. In fact, nanoparticles of any substance can have negative effects on health. Only singly dissolved molecules of C60 are shown to be beneficial.

In this study, C60 particles were sprayed directly into the lungs of rats and inflammation occurred. Eugenol mitigated acute lung but not spermatic toxicity of C60 fullerene emulsion in mice

• Study strengths: None. Not relevant to C60 that would be consumed by humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study uses nanoparticles of C60, not singly dissolved molecules. Nanoparticles of C60 have never been shown to have any health benefits. In fact, nanoparticles of any substance can have negative effects on health. Only singly dissolved molecules of C60 are shown to be beneficial.

In this study, particles of C60 suspended in water were absorbed by fish and provoked reproductive toxicity in the fish. Possible role of C60 fullerene in the induction of reproductive toxicity in the freshwater fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)

• Study strengths: None. Not relevant to C60 that would be consumed by humans.
• Study weaknesses: This study uses nanoparticles of C60 suspended in water, not singly dissolved molecules. Nanoparticles of C60 have never been shown to have any health benefits. In fact, nanoparticles of any substance can have negative effects on health. Only singly dissolved molecules of C60 are shown to be beneficial.

Questionable Funding Sources – Study Designed to Fail

In this study, C60 in olive oil was exposed to the equivalent of approximately 3-weeks of the blue/UV spectrum of sunlight, causing the oil to become rancid. Under the study’s protocol, there was no extension of the lifespan of the mice. C60 in olive oil causes light-dependent toxicity and does not extend lifespan in mice

• Study strengths: None. This study may have been funded by funding sources with a specific agenda intent on spreading misinformation about the benefits of C60.
• Study weaknesses:
  • This study used C57BL6/J mice (hybrid, baby mice) which are extremely susceptible to UV radiation and byproducts of UV radiation (i.e. rancid oil).
  • In the lifespan studies, aged CB6F1 hybrid mice were effectively given C60 only once every two weeks, whereas studies showing the extension of the lifespan of test animals were given C60 daily. Additionally, this study used aged CB6F1 hybrid mice whose chromosomes disintegrate at mid-age, so they are genetically programmed for early death. These mice were aged CB6F1 hybrid mice whose chromosomes were already disintegrating. Study clearly designed to produce negative results.

Found Protective Benefits of C60 Injected into Mice Brains, Except in Large Amounts

A study on injecting live mice brains with carboxy fullerene suggested it could be useful in preventing stroke, 20% of the mice that were injected with too much polyhydroxylated C60 died. Local carboxy fullerene protects cortical infarction in rat brain

• Study strengths: C60 was found to be useful in protecting against damage from strokes.
• Study weaknesses: Due to Polyhydroxylated C60 rapidly shedding its attached hydroxyl radicals, it can cause damage if injected in large amounts directly into the brain.

Computer Simulation Speculates Potential DNA Damage from C60

In a computer simulation with rigid RNA and DNA, C60 molecules fit in the groove of RNA and side groove of DNA. C60 binds to and deforms nucleotides

• Study strengths: None. This is not considered science at all.
• Study weaknesses: RNA and DNA are never rigid, but constantly vibrating in dozens of resonant nodes. This test is simulating something that could only occur at absolute zero temperature, not in the human body. No actual experimentation was done, this is solely a computer simulation.