What is C60? C60 is a fullerene of 60 carbon atoms bonded to form a hollow cage in the shape of a soccer ball, made up of twenty hexagons and twelve pentagons. It is a black powder that when dissolved in edible oils forms a powerful antioxidant.

C60, short for Carbon 60 or C60 fullerene, is a relatively newly discovered form of carbon. It captured the attention of scientists, researchers, and health enthusiasts alike due to a research study in 2012 [1], now known at the Baati rat study, that showed when dissolved in olive oil and given to rats, their life span was almost doubled. C60 continues to be researched and the health and fitness community use C60 for its potential health benefits.
C60 Antioxidant Properties
Carbon 60 is a powerful antioxidant, research studies suggest that it has ‘an antioxidant efficacy several hundred-fold higher than conventional antioxidants’, such as vitamin C [2]. Antioxidants support to neutralise free radicals that if allowed to build up in the body, lead to oxidative stress.
Unlike almost all antioxidants C60 is not inactivated once it has neutralised a free radical and can reset itself allowing it to act against them again and again. So much so that it has been given the name ‘free radical sponge’. This unique attribute has ignited interest into C60’s health benefits.
Brief History of C60’s Discovery
The tale of C60’s discovery reads like a captivating scientific adventure. In 1985, the efforts of Robert Curl, Harold Kroto, and Richard Smalley led to a revelation of this extraordinary molecule. It’s structure, reminiscent of architect Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, earned it the moniker ‘Buckminsterfullerene’. The disocvery marked a monumental achievement, culminating in the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. Since then, C60 has intrigued researchers, prompting investigations into its potential applications accross diverse fields.
References:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22498298/ The Prolognation of the lifespan of rats by repeated oral administration of [60] fullerene.
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4124742/ The applications of buckminsterfullerene C60 and derivatives in orthopaedic research.