It is estimated that by 2050 there will be 1.6 billion people over the age of 65 worldwide. Advances in healthcare are extending global life expectancy, but this is leading to an increased incidence of the effects of ageing and age-related diseases. A growing number of research teams around the world are investigating the causes of ageing and searching for the key to revitalising ageing tissues in order to prolong health and active years of life.
In order to maintain our health in old age, we must first understand how our cells function, especially the changes that occur in them during this period and threaten our vitality. I invite you to join me in exploring the world of zombie cells – worn-out, ageing cells, scientifically known as senescent cells – and learn how to remove them. The number of senescent cells in the human body increases with age. Around the age of 60, they begin to accumulate in individual organs of the body, contributing to a weakened immune system. This in turn affects resistance to stress or diseases such as cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, but also recovery from injuries or learning new things.
Scientists have discovered that the cause is damaged, old, dysfunctional senescent cells that secrete powerful toxins that disrupt neighbouring healthy cells. Similar to a single mouldy fruit, if not removed, it gradually damages the entire bowl of fruit, a relatively small number of ageing cells in various organs of our body persist and spread inflammation that damages neighbouring cells. These senescent cells form throughout our lives as a result of DNA damage and telomere shortening, and are closely linked to the dysfunction of mitochondria, which are responsible for essential cell recycling processes.
So we certainly understand that it is necessary to remove these damaged cells from circulation as soon as possible, to eliminate them, to destroy them. But how? Through surgery?
This path is not realistic. Nature provides us with a more subtle, targeted solution. Like autophagy – a self-cleaning process within cells. This interesting-sounding word comes from Greek and consists of two words: auto (self) and phagein (to eat). It follows that autophagy literally means “self-eating“, which we now know to be a universal weapon against age-related diseases.
Autophagy is not about weight loss; autophagy is about the health of our cells. It helps at every age, in youth, adulthood and old age. Under normal circumstances, autophagy is triggered by the body:
1. when cells are under stress, when they detect a lack of nutrients
2. when the cell is filled with waste (damaged or deformed proteins).
Essentially, it is classic recycling: digestion – consumption – devouring of our own cells. Let us imagine it as recycling waste. Damaged or non-functional components of our own cells are reused. This provides healthy cells with building material for their continued existence. How fascinating!
This phenomenon was discovered by Belgian cytologist and biochemist Christian René Marie Joseph de Duve. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1974 for his discoveries in the field of structural and functional organisation of cells. Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2016 for his theory of the mechanism of autophagy. The discovery led to an understanding of how cells recycle their own contents. He proved that less frequent food intake allows the body to destroy its own damaged cells without damaging healthy cells.
So how can we naturally get rid of ageing – senescent – zombie cells?
Scientific studies have shown that calorie restriction, exercise, and natural substances – phytochemicals – can help us. Let’s explore how each method works.
Why? Let’s remember that every time we eat, our immune system reacts, specifically with silent inflammation, which is insidious in that we don’t feel it at all. So the more often we eat, the harder it is for the immune system to stop the inflammatory response. And it is precisely these hidden chronic inflammations that are the beginning of most of our diseases.
Fasting has become a cornerstone of improving health because it prevents inflammation and directly influences many of the hallmarks of ageing. During fasting, several biological pathways are activated, including those that can delay ageing. In addition, fasting triggers the process of cellular recycling, autophagy, which helps the body remove worn-out, damaged cells, including ageing cells.
Autophagy is in our hands.
1. How? Let’s not snack all day long, let’s eliminate snacks, afternoon tea, second dinner, as well as night-time food and drink intake. Let’s set ourselves up for three meals a day within an 8-hour window. Through these meals, let’s provide our bodies with all the necessary nutrients. Let’s treat ourselves to wholesome food focused on the quality and quantity of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Let’s avoid semi-finished products or fast food. So, with taste and love, let’s consciously help our bodies. After all, we live with them our whole lives. I recommend that we do not hesitate and do something beneficial for ourselves as soon as possible.
2. Why? Autophagy is triggered when our pancreas (the gland below the stomach) does not produce the hormone insulin, which occurs after digestion is complete. In other words, insulin suppresses autophagy. Let’s consider autophagy a fascinating process taking place in our bodies. From a molecular biologist’s point of view, it corresponds to catharsis (internal cleansing), which fasting people often talk about. Moreover, autophagy is a universal weapon against age-related diseases. It is irreplaceable and vital. The proof is that it is practised by all organisms, from simple yeast cells to humans.
Exercise has countless health benefits, and studies suggest that it also plays an important role in modulating cellular ageing. In a 2016 publication in AGE, the authors report that a 12-week exercise programme in older adults reduced biomarkers associated with cellular ageing. This observed beneficial effect of exercise occurred through an increase in age-related autophagy suppression, improved immune clearance of ageing cells, and a reduction in pro-inflammatory factors secreted by these cells, commonly referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
As a result, nutraceuticals that kill zombie cells are entering the market. Among the most promising senolytic compounds are curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), sulforaphane, and urolithin A, a postbiotic nutrient produced by our gut microbiota after ingesting polyphenols in foods such as pomegranates, berries, and nuts. Preclinical studies conducted to date indicate that urolithin A has a positive effect on cell ageing.
The revolutionary anti-ageing potential of sulforaphane
How does sulforaphane combat ageing? What do we know about it so far? Preclinical studies have shown that sulforaphane is an effective senolytic agent and prolongs healthy active life by 15 per cent. By modulating various biological pathways, it is an effective compound that promotes healthy ageing. Research studies have confirmed that the primary effect of sulforaphane is the activation of a protein called Nrf2. This special protein is found in every cell of our body. When activated, Nrf2 binds to ARE (Antioxidant Response Element), which is a switch that controls the production of antioxidants in the body. So when Nrf2/ARE is activated, our body starts producing glutathione and other antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. These enzymes work to neutralise reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other harmful molecules that accumulate in our cells during ageing and are a key driver of ageing. This reduces dangerous chronic inflammation, protecting the body from age-related diseases. But that’s not all. Sulforaphane:
By strengthening the body’s natural defences against oxidative damage and inflammation, Nrf2 activation via sulforaphane offers a compelling approach to prolonging life and health. These findings on sulforaphane, which is found in everyday cruciferous foods (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, etc.), are particularly interesting in that it is known to be safe for use in human treatment.
Are there any side effects of sulforaphane?
Sulforaphane in nutraceutical form is generally considered safe and well tolerated. The recommended dosage should always be followed, as high, inappropriate doses may cause the following in some individuals:
Before taking sulforaphane nutraceuticals, it is essential to consult a doctor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medication.
Call
I recommend asking Sulforaphane Extra users to write about their own experiences with health improvements, backed up by medical examinations before and after at least 4 months of use.
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