There are many factors that contribute to the aging process, many of which we are still yet to discover. What we do know is that aging begins during the time in the womb and continues to accumulate over time.
One of the factors we do have a better understanding of is cellular senescence which it the natural process of cells cease to replicate which is known as the Hayflick Limit or Replicative Senescence. The problem arises when this natural process is disrupted and the damaged cells continue to replicate. These cells are referred to as senescent (senile) cells and not only lead to accelerated aged but also many degenerative disorders including cancer.
To add insult to injury the increased presence of various detrimental stimuli (such as ultraviolet radiation, electromagnetic radiation, oxidation, and environmental toxins) adds to the rate and degree of degeneration and disrupts normal cellular senescence.
Researchers have been developing technologies to remove or neutralize these senile cells. The goal is to selectively target and remove senescent cells without damaging healthy cells which is no easy task. During the process of this research scientists have discovered that the plant flavonoid quercetin has the unique ability to selectively remove old cells without harm to normal, actively dividing cells.
Previous research has indicated that clearing away just 30% of senescent cells produced profound improvement in age-related signs and symptoms. In the quercetin study when human cell cultures were treated with quercetin they found about a 50% reduction in numbers of senescent cells with no effect on healthy cells. This is a significant reduction and has also been seen in animal studies.
The mechanism by which quercetin appears to achieve its effects appears to be through multiple pathways. One such mechanism through the enzyme SIRT1, which has been well researched including resveratrol ability to also activate the SIRT1 enzyme. Recent studies show that activated SIRT1 can suppress the pro-inflammatory signaling of senescent cells, thereby reducing their toxicity and potentially slowing aging.
Quercetin has been shown to make more resveratrol available to the body. It does this by reducing the rate of resveratrol degradation in the liver and enhancing its bioavailability. Combining quercetin and resveratrol produces a synergistic effect, meaning that the combination provides benefits that are greater than the simple sum of each nutrient’s effects together. Studies show that quercetin and resveratrol work together by multiple, complementary mechanisms.
Quercetin is a low-cost supplement that not only has anti-aging abilities but also has other health promoting properties in the heart, brain, and other systems. Doses of 150 mg per day have demonstrated significant benefits in human studies and might be a good maintenance dose. Furthermore, higher dose amounts of 500 to 1,000 mg per day are generally recognized as safe based upon current data, especially over the short term, and thus higher dosing in this range may be considered based upon individual health needs.
A prudent course to follow might be to take 500-800 mg per day of quercetin for three months to purge accumulated senile cells and then stay with a maintenance dose of 150 mg each day thereafter.
Note: For those individuals taking warfarin, please check with your physician before using quercetin.