This is FACT.
Did you know that your cells can grow senile? As we age, so do our cells, and those that don’t degenerate and die as they are supposed to, accumulate together to form a population of senescent cells. They aren’t harmless. Senescent cells are pro-inflammatory, and as such contribute to countless degenerative diseases, including organ decay. Now, the immune system is built to sweep away these degenerative cells automatically, but alas, the immune system succumbs to age as well, and cannot keep up with the accumulation of senescent cells over time. Fortunately, studies are showing that the plant flavonoid quercetin has the ability to clear these senescent cells from the body without harming healthy cells, and in doing so assists in decelerating aging.
Quercetin’s Age-Defying Nature
Studies indicate that quercetin can help protect against accelerated aging and diseases of the brain, heart, lungs, bones, and intestinal tract. Exciting new research from the Mayo Clinic demonstrates the promising potential of quercetin as an anti-aging nutrient. Expanding on the heels of past research that showed how quercetin can remove 30% of senescent cells, researchers tested 46 compounds known to help trigger cell death. They were left with two potentials: the chemotherapy drug dasatnib and quercetin, which delivers the benefits without the toxins. When human cell cultures were treated with quercetin, senescent cell numbers decreased, suggesting that quercetin slows aging and possibly increases life span.
Quercetin slows aging by activating the enzyme SIRT1, which inhibits the pro-inflammatory effects of senescent cells, thereby neutralizing their toxicity and possibly forestalling aging. Using animal models, researchers have found that activating SIRT1 increased longevity and reduced age-related diseases.
Quercetin has also been shown to protect against cardiovascular aging. It helps to relax the blood vessels, which reduces heart attack and stroke risk…it helps increase levels of the paraoxonase-2 (PON2) enzyme, which in turn shields fat molecules from the oxidation that causes plaque to develop on the arteries and reduce blood flow…it protects against platelet clotting…and it helps defend against metabolic syndrome and brain aging.
Adding Quercetin to Your Diet
Quercetin is found in apples, red onions, black and green tea, red grapes, raspberries, cranberries, citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables. Experts recommend supplementing with between 150 to 500 mg of quercetin a day, taking the higher dose for a few months, and then the maintenance dose of 150 thereafter.
