Preserving Cellular Youth: The Power of Antioxidants and Natural Anti inflammatories

Cellular aging is often seen as an inevitable part of the natural aging process. We  resign ourselves to the idea that our cells will simply wear out over time. But what if  we told you there's more to the story? What if there was something you could do to  potentially support cellular health and promote longevity? Natural life extenders exist,  capable of activating pathways that decelerate the cellular aging process. But first,  let’s look at what cellular ageing is. 

Cellular Ageing 

Cellular aging is a natural, complex process that occurs as we grow older and is  influenced by various factors, including oxidative stress, telomere shortening, chronic  inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence. These factors  gradually impair cellular function, leading to the decline of organ systems and overall  health.  

5 Processes that Impact Cellular Ageing 

1. Free Radical Damage and Oxidative Stress: 

At the core of cellular ageing lies the relentless assault of free radicals,  unstable molecules with unpaired electrons (can you remember that from your  high-school chemistry days?). These highly reactive molecules are natural by products of cellular metabolism. While they serve essential roles in cellular  signalling and defence mechanisms, an excess can wreak havoc, causing  damage to cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA, resulting in  oxidative stress. This oxidative stress accumulates over time contributing  significantly to cellular ageing. 

2. Mitochondrial Dysfunction:  

As you might (or might not, depending on your cellular ageing) remember,  mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for energy  production. As cells age, mitochondria can accumulate damage and become  less efficient at generating energy. This dysfunction leads to increased free  radical production and further oxidative stress.

3. Chronic Inflammation 

Inflammation is actually a protective response against harmful stimuli, but it  takes on a sinister role in the context of cellular ageing when it becomes  chronic and dysregulated. Chronic inflammation induces cellular damage,  disrupts tissue homeostasis, and impairs regenerative capacities, fuelling the  ageing process and predisposing individuals to various age-related diseases. Moreover, it fuels the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, perpetuating a  vicious cycle of inflammation and cellular degeneration (Bektas). 

4. Cellular Senescence 

Cellular senescence is a term that you will hear more and more about. It has  become recognized as a cornerstone biological process driving the aging  journey and is increasingly linked to the development of various age-related  conditions. It is a process by which a cell ages and permanently stops dividing  but does not die. Over time, large numbers of old (or senescent) cells can  build up in tissues throughout the body. These cells remain active and can  release harmful substances that may cause inflammation and damage to  nearby healthy cells. Senescence may play a role in the development of  cancer and other diseases (6,7). 

5. Telomeres and Cellular Integrity: 

Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, serve as  guardians of genomic stability. With each cell division, telomeres undergo  progressive shortening, like a molecular clock, eventually reaching a critical  threshold that then triggers cellular senescence. Dysfunctional telomeres  aren't just a sign of cellular aging, they also play a role in the development of  age-related diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Maintaining  telomere length and integrity, with the added benefit of dampening inflammation and senescence, emerges as a promising avenue for  interventions aimed at mitigating cellular ageing (7). 

How to Preserve Cellular Health 

As you can see, there is a complex interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation,  telomere integrity, mitochondrial function, and cellular aging. As you can imagine, 

antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients can offer a simple way we can support  cellular health and promote longevity. Let’s look at a few of the standouts. 

Antioxidants 

Several studies show that antioxidants play a crucial role in shielding us from  oxidative stress. Resveratrol and quercetin, both showing powerful antioxidants and  anti-inflammatory properties, have gained recognition for their impressive protective  abilities. They work by neutralizing free radicals, and regulating inflammation,  preventing cellular damage, and promoting overall well-being. (1,4,9). 

1. Resveratrol: Found abundantly in red grapes, resveratrol boasts numerous  benefits, from cardiovascular health to potential anti-cancer properties. The  antiaging mechanisms of resveratrol are ameliorating oxidative stress,  relieving inflammatory reaction, improving mitochondrial function, and  regulating apoptosis. Resveratrol could be an effective and safe compound for  the preservation of cellular health along with the prevention and treatment of  aging and age-related diseases.  
2. Quercetin: A flavonoid, widely present in fruits and vegetables has anti inflammatory properties and can inhibit the production of inflammatory  cytokines. Quercetin also possesses antioxidant activity, protecting cells from  oxidative damage and potentially preserving telomere length. 

Natural Anti-inflammatories 

Inflammation, as discussed above, is a vital response to injury or infection, but can  become chronic and detrimental to cellular function. Numerous studies have  illustrated that curcumin and PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide), have natural anti inflammatory compounds, offer a promising avenue for mitigating inflammation and  supporting cellular longevity (1,3). 

1. Curcumin: Renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin, the  active compound in turmeric, can modulate inflammatory pathways, reducing  chronic inflammation and associate cellular damage. Curcumin has also been  studied for its potential to enhance telomerase activity, which could help  maintain telomere length and cellular health.
2. PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide): Is an organic compound found in the human  body and is also made by fungi and bacteria. It can be found in small  quantities in certain food products (like chocolate, legumes, and eggs), and  especially foods that have been fermented (natto). It can target receptors  involved in inflammation and pain modulation. By reducing inflammation, PEA  may help alleviate oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction associated with  aging, promoting longevity and cellular health. 

The Drawbacks 

Before you get too excited though…. Despite their benefits, resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin and PEA suffer poor bioavailability when delivered orally due to it being  rapidly metabolised by the microbiota and first pass metabolism in the liver (3,8). This makes it difficult to deliver a high concentration therapeutic dose. It is for this  reason that scientists have developed Liposperse and Phytosome Technology. This  technology offers a promising solution by enhancing the solubility of the above  nutrients, ensuring better absorption and bioavailability. 

Bioavailability and Absorption 

To achieve optimal bio-absorption, natural derivatives must have a balance between  hydrophilicity, for dissolving in gastrointestinal fluids, and lipophilicity, facilitating  passage through lipidic bio-membranes. 

Therefore, it's not just about delivering a certain quantity of the active principle into  the body; it's about optimising bio-absorption to ensure that natural compounds  release their full potential in terms of health benefits while maintaining the original  phytochemical profile of the selected derivatives. How do we do that? 

Lipisperse technology and the Phytosome system have demonstrated promising  outcomes in bioavailability and absorption across multiple pharmacokinetic studies.  They serve as functional solid dispersions, offering food-grade delivery mechanisms  for natural compounds to efficiently interact with the gut ecosystem, enhancing  absorption and microbiota interaction.

LipiSperse coats the lipophilic (oil-attracting) crystals, altering their surface to  become hydrophilic (water-attracting). This transformation enables the coated  crystals to effortlessly disperse in water, while the Phtyosome technology binds  curcumin to phospholipids, enhancing the body's absorption capacity while providing  a safeguard against the acidic conditions of the stomach, allowing it to avoid  immediate breakdown (1,3,4,5,8,9).  

Cellular longevity 

• LipiSperse Resveratrol 150gm: offering twice the absorption than standard  resveratrol (3,9). 
• LipiSperse Quercetin 400mg: offers up to 2.3-fold absorption compared to  standard form (1,8). 

Inflammation Modulator 

• Meriva Curcumin Phytosome 500mg: The superior formulation ensures  optimal absorption (up to 3 times), exceptional tolerability, and safety, even  during extended periods of use. (1,5,8) 
• Levagen+ PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) 300mg: using the LipiSperse  technology,been shown to be absorbed within 45 minutes while offering x1.75 better absorption than standard PEA (3,8).  

Synergistic Effects 

The combination of antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories creates synergistic  effects, strengthening our cellular defences against oxidative stress and  inflammation. By working in tandem, these compounds optimize cellular function,  promoting longevity and overall well-being. 

Practical Applications 

Antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories such as resveratrol, quercetin,  curcumin, and PEA offer promising avenues for preserving cellular youth and  promoting longevity. Embracing Liposperse and Phytosomal technologies ensures  optimal absorption and bioavailability, maximizing the benefits of these potent  compounds.

By combating oxidative stress, inflammation, telomere shortening, mitochondrial  dysfunction, and cellular senescence, these compounds contribute to overall cellular  health and may delay the onset of age-related diseases. Incorporating them into a  balanced diet or as supplements could potentially support healthy aging, improve  quality of life, and preserve cellular youth.  

 

Written by, Lyndall Wright.

 

REFERENCES 

1.Alessio Danilo Inchingolo, Inchingolo, A. M., G Malcangi, Avantario, P., Azzollini,  D., Buongiorno, S., Fabio Viapiano, Campanelli, M., Anna Maria Ciocia,  Nicole De Leonardis, Elisabetta de Ruvo, Ferrara, I., Garofoli, G.,  Montenegro, V., Netti, A., Palmieri, G., Mancini, A., Patano, A., Piras, F., &  Marinelli, G. (2022). Effects of Resveratrol, Curcumin and Quercetin  Supplementation on Bone Metabolism—A Systematic Review. Nutrients,  14(17), 3519–3519. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173519 

2.Bektas, A., Schurman, S. H., Sen, R., & Ferrucci, L. (2018). Aging, inflammation  and the environment. Experimental Gerontology, 105, 10–18.  

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2017.12.015 

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4.Cui, Z., Zhao, X., Amevor, F. K., Du, X., Wang, Y., Li, D., Shu, G., Tian, Y., &  Zhao, X. (2022). Therapeutic application of quercetin in aging-related  diseases: SIRT1 as a potential mechanism. Frontiers in Immunology, 13.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.943321 

5.Cuomo, J., Appendino, G., Dern, A. S., Schneider, E., McKinnon, T. P., Brown, M.  J., Togni, S., & Dixon, B. M. (2011). Comparative Absorption of a  Standardized Curcuminoid Mixture and Its Lecithin Formulation. Journal of  Natural Products, 74(4), 664–669. https://doi.org/10.1021/np1007262 

6.National Institute on Aging. (2021, July 13). Does cellular senescence hold secrets  for healthier aging? National Institute on Aging.  

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/does-cellular-senescence-hold-secrets healthier-aging 

7.Pole, A., Dimri, M., & P. Dimri, G. (2016). Oxidative stress, cellular senescence  and ageing. AIMS Molecular Science, 3(3), 300–324.  

https://doi.org/10.3934/molsci.2016.3.300 

8.Subramanian, P. (2021). Lipid-Based Nanocarrier System for the Effective Delivery  of Nutraceuticals. Molecules, 26(18), 5510.  

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185510

9.Zhou, D.-D., Luo, M., Huang, S.-Y., Saimaiti, A., Shang, A., Gan, R.-Y., & Li, H.-B.  (2021). Effects and Mechanisms of Resveratrol on Aging and Age-Related  Diseases. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, 1–15.  https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9932218