Senolytic Supplements: The Longevity Hack Everyone’s Talking About

Growing older is inevitable, but that doesn't mean we can't take charge of our healthy aging journey. If you're reading this blog, there's a good chance you probably know the basics: eating a healthy diet, engaging in routine exercise, practicing self-care, and sticking to good sleeping habits.

Want to take things to a more advanced level? Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of senolytics. These plant compounds help support your body's natural pathways for clearing out cells. These are cells that have naturally deteriorated due to aging and are just serving as excess baggage, getting in the way of optimal function.

Mature individuals aren't the only ones who have these cells: when you're young, the body normally clears these senescent cells out as they become unfit for the job. But as we age, our bodies become less effective at doing so. Senolytics help the body "take out the trash."

You probably get some small amount of senolytics in your diet, but a more intentional way to get them is with supplements. The most popular options include:

• Quercetin
• Fisetin
• Theaflavins

Here's everything you need to know about choosing a senolytic supplement, how they work in the body, and how they fit into your overall healthy aging strategy.

What are the benefits of senolytic supplements?

There are a number of reasons why people add senolytics to their supplement routines:

1. Cellular "housekeeping"

   : Senolytic supplements are designed to help support the body's ability to remove senescent cells. By doing so, these supplements could help support healthy aging so we can "age like a fine wine" over time. While senescence is a naturally occurring process, it's good to supplement with compounds that may help counteract this.

2. Overall healthy aging benefits

   : Some senolytics contribute to additional benefits that promote healthy aging. Take quercetin, for example, which can also help support already-healthy blood pressure and provides antioxidant support. In fact, quercetin is well-known in healthy aging circles because of its myriad health benefits. The catch is that quercetin is not easy to absorb, but scientists have got this covered (more on that later).

3. A healthy diet isn't enough

   : While these nutrients can be found in food, you are unlikely to get enough from your diet alone. Let's check out some math (quick, I promise!). Strawberries are one of the highest food sources of fisetin, bringing in about 160 micrograms per gram of dry weight (and strawberries are ~90% water). That means you need to eat a whopping thousand grams of dried strawberries just to get 160 milligrams of fisetin. Fisetin, like quercetin, is also not easily absorbed, so you would need to eat even more than that. Every. Single. Day. (Don't fret! This is where supplements come in. With a high-quality supplement, you can easily get your daily dose of fisetin.)

How do senolytics work?

Senolytic compounds may promote the body's natural processes for clearing senescent cells, which is key to aging gracefully. Remember from earlier that cellular senescence is a natural part of the aging process in which cells no longer function optimally. When these senescent cells accumulate over time, they affect the day-to-day function of the healthy cells around them. Ever heard the saying "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch?" Yeah, it's a bit like that.

So, it's important to give our bodies senolytic compounds to equip them with the right tools for the task at hand. If your room was filled with piles of unsorted clothes, you'd need some baskets or boxes to make sense of the mess. The same applies here: we're simply trying to give our cells what they need to make their job easier.

Top Senolytic Ingredients and What They Do

We've covered senescence and what senolytics do; now it's time to dive deep into the most widely available nutrients that have been researched for their senolytic properties. Without further ado, it's the senolytic supplement showdown!

Some of these ingredients are hard to absorb alone, so look for formulas that contain ingredients that offer enhanced bioavailability. Life Extension's Senolytic Activator^® contains specially formulated quercetin and fisetin that is up to 62 times and 25 times more bioavailable, respectively, compared to unformulated forms. This way you can get the most out of your supplements!

Senolytic supplements vs. other healthy aging compounds

Senolytics are not the same as other healthy aging compounds, like NAD+ boosters or antioxidants; these supplements are not interchangeable because they serve different purposes. (In the case of antioxidants, this can get a little confusing, because some senolytics, like quercetin, have antioxidant properties—but that's not always the case.)

Think of senolytics as one piece of the puzzle in healthy aging. Ever finished a puzzle only to realize you're missing just one piece? Talk about unsatisfying! It's important to incorporate senolytic supplements into your routine to support healthy aging. Let's see how they compare to other healthy aging compounds.

• Senolytics

  – These are compounds that help support your body's natural pathways for clearing out senescent cells.

• Antioxidants

  – Our bodies are constantly working and, as a result, are subject to a lot of oxidative stress. Antioxidants help combat this oxidative stress to keep your body in balance. Strong antioxidants include nutrients like resveratrol, other plant polyphenols, and vitamin E. (Think of it like a sword and shield, where senolytics are your body's sword and antioxidants are your body's shield: Senolytics help support your body's natural pathways for clearing out cells; antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress.)

• NAD+ boosters

  – NAD+ is a coenzyme vital to many biochemical processes and cellular energy generation. NAD+ levels decline with age, which contributes to our aging. The way to fight back is with NAD+ boosting nutrients like nicotinamide riboside (NR). In fact, NR has been shown to significantly increase levels of NAD+!

• Vitamins and minerals

  – Think of vitamin C, vitamin D, and magnesium: these are your quintessential healthy aging compounds because they are vital to life, playing a direct role in things like metabolism and whole-body health. (To make things confusing again, like senolytics, vitamins can also be antioxidants. And, the NAD booster NR is a form of vitamin B3. But the important point is that each of these nutrients can play one or more roles in healthy aging.)

When should you start taking senolytics?

Generally, people begin to take these around middle age when senescence begins to catch up to us. That said, starting earlier is not a bad idea! Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before adding any additional supplements to your routine.

Pairing senolytics with a healthy lifestyle

Remember that puzzle we talked about earlier? Well, there are a few key pieces that we would be remiss to not discuss. At the end of the day, it's important to have a well-rounded approach that not only includes supplements but also healthy lifestyle habits.

• Healthy diet

  – We are what we eat. A healthy diet is the foundation of our health journey. Think of ways of eating incorporate healthy fats and proteins, like the Mediterranean diet. Numerous studies have associated this diet with heart and metabolic health.

• Exercise

  – I know, I know…it can be hard to fit exercise into an increasingly busy schedule. But, you'll thank yourself if you do. Exercise can help you with weight management and has tons of benefits, ranging from cardiovascular health to joint health. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like brisk walking or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise like running each week. To get the most out of it, add in muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week.

• Hydration

  – Our bodies are approximately 60% water, so it is no surprise that staying hydrated is key for a healthy life. Staying hydrated supports the health of every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. Plus, water has no calories, so replacing sugary drinks can reduce caloric intake.

• Sleep

  – We spend a lot of time sleeping, and for good reason. Getting enough sleep can support your whole-body health from head to toe. It's important for weight management, a healthy mood, immune health, cognition, and more. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Setting a bedtime routine devoid of screen time on electronics can help you maintain a consistent schedule and improve sleep quality.

FAQs: Senolytic Supplements

Can I take senolytics every day?

This depends on the formula! Many senolytics are fine to take daily, but some formulas are created with a weekly dosing regimen. Your best bet is to follow the product label and consult with your healthcare provider before adding supplements to your routine.

Who should not take senolytics?

Senolytics are generally well-tolerated, but if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, then you need to speak with your doctor before adding these to your routine.

How long before I notice the effects?

This varies on the formula and ingredient. You should continue to take them long-term to get the most value.

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