Cellular senescence is a process of biological aging that occurs when a cell stops replicating due to damaged DNA. This process is believed to inhibit the growth of cancer in young people. But as people age, it is thought that this process might actually cause tumor growth. These senescent cells are cleared away at an increasingly slower rate as we age. As a result, the cells accumulate in the body, causing low levels of inflammation and the release of enzymes that, over time, cause tissue degradation. A recent study identified specific flavonoids—a diverse group of plant chemicals found in almost all fruits and vegetables—with the most potent effects against this process. The researchers of the study found that fisetin, a polyphenol found in foods such as apples, strawberries, persimmons, onions, and cucumbers, reduced the burden of damaged cells and extended the lifespan of aging mice. The effect was also seen in human tissues.

SOURCE: Yousefzadeh MJ, Zhu Y, McGowan SJ, et al. Fisetin is a senotherapeutic that extends health and lifespan. EBioMedicine. 2018 Oct;36:18–28. NHR