Aging is an inevitable process, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be unnecessarily accelerated. While we can’t escape aging, we can ensure that we age healthily. Ensure that we age in a way that protects our longevity and promotes our health span. As such, researchers are looking into compounds that can combat the degenerative aging process, such as fisetin.
What Is Fisetin?
Fisetin is a flavonoid and anti-aging compound that we should all know, especially because of its role as an antioxidant.
A powerful antioxidant
Antioxidants are important for health, especially because they help to protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in the body. Unfortunately, as we age, the levels of glutathione in our bodies decline. This then increases the risk of chronic diseases and illness.
That said, research has indicated that fisetin may promote levels of glutathione. Research has found that fisetin may help maintain levels of glutathione in the body. Additionally, fisetin possesses antioxidant properties on its own, and this may be the reason behind its many longevity benefits.
The longevity benefits of Fisetin
Its senolytic properties extend the lifespan
When a cell becomes old or defective, it’s supposed to die off and make room for newer and healthier cells. Unfortunately, with aging, the cells become “zombie cells” instead, refusing to die. These zombie cells then emit toxic compounds that affect the health of nearby cells, which in turn can cause health issues. These zombie cells are known as senescent cells, and they’ve been found to promote age-related diseases.
With cellular senescence being at the core of anti-aging research, scientists are looking for ways in which these cells can be destroyed. One of these is senolytics, which have been found to selectively clear senescent cells. As for which senolytic is the most effective at doing this? Fisetin, of course.
According to a study published in EbioMedicine, out of 10 flavonoids tested, fisetin was the most potent senolytic. The same study also found that exposure to fisetin resulted in mice living 10% longer and experiencing fewer age-related issues than the control group, even at an older age.
Prevents Obesity
Over a billion people are expected to be obese by 2030, but fisetin might help mitigate that risk.
According to pre-clinical research, fisetin regulates obesity by targeting mTORC1 signaling. mTORC1 signaling is responsible for telling the brain when it is hungry, and the study suggests that this suppression may allow fisetin to be used to manage diet-induced obesity.
Diabetes management
Over 420 million people worldwide have diabetes, and poorly managed diabetes can increase the risk for complications, such as heart disease, as well as eye, foot, nerve, and kidney damage.
However, research suggests that fisetin may help assist in the management of the disease. In a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, fisetin was found to alleviate risks associated with diabetes.
Neurological benefits
According to research published in Brain Plasticity, fisetin was found to be effective at preventing the development as well as the progression of neurological disorders. These neurological disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic), and traumatic brain injury. Additionally, the data also found that fisetin was found to reduce age-associated changes in the brain.
Chemotherapeutic
Cancer treatments, particularly radiation therapy and chemotherapy, are intended to destroy cancer cells. However, they end up destroying both cancer and healthy cells. This can then cause serious side effects. That said, recent research has suggested that certain therapies may help mitigate the side effects of cancer treatments.
Photo by Artur Rutkowski on Unsplash
According to a study published in Nutrients, fisetin has the potential to become a complementary drug in the prevention and treatment of cancerous conditions. Fisetin may help increase apoptosis in cancer cells, and inhibit cancer cell migration, cancer metastasis, and cancer-cell survival.
Where can I get fisetin?
As mentioned, fisetin is a flavonol, and it can be found in several plant-based foods. These include:
- Strawberries
- Berries
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Grapes
- Scallions
- Apples
Additionally, fisetin is also available in supplement form, but it should be pointed out that there have yet to be studies on the benefits, as well as the side effects, of the supplements.
Should I take fisetin for longevity?
Admittedly, research into the benefits of fisetin has mostly been done in animals, with studies in humans being limited. However, as animal and laboratory studies do show promise, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add some strawberries to your diet.
References
Dong, W., Jia, C., Li, J., Zhou, Y., Luo, Y., Liu, J., Zhao, Z., Zhang, J., Lin, S., & Chen, Y. (2022). Fisetin Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy-Induced Podocyte Injury by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 783706. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.783706
Jung, C. H., Kim, H., Ahn, J., Jeon, T. I., Lee, D. H., & Ha, T. Y. (2013). Fisetin regulates obesity by targeting mTORC1 signaling. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 24(8), 1547–1554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2013.01.003
Kubina, R., Krzykawski, K., Kabała-Dzik, A., Wojtyczka, R. D., Chodurek, E., & Dziedzic, A. (2022). Fisetin, a Potent Anticancer Flavonol Exhibiting Cytotoxic Activity against Neoplastic Malignant Cells and Cancerous Conditions: A Scoping, Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, 14(13), 2604. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132604
Maher P. (2021). Preventing and Treating Neurological Disorders with the Flavonol Fisetin. Brain plasticity (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 6(2), 155–166. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-200104
Wu, S. J., Huang, W. C., Cheng, C. Y., Wang, M. C., Cheng, S. C., & Liou, C. J. (2022). Fisetin Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Bronchial Epithelial Cells. Nutrients, 14(9), 1841. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091841
Wu, Y., Shen, S., Shi, Y., Tian, N., Zhou, Y., & Zhang, X. (2022). Senolytics: Eliminating Senescent Cells and Alleviating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 10, 823945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.823945
Yousefzadeh, M. J., Zhu, Y., McGowan, S. J., Angelini, L., Fuhrmann-Stroissnigg, H., Xu, M., Ling, Y. Y., Melos, K. I., Pirtskhalava, T., Inman, C. L., McGuckian, C., Wade, E. A., Kato, J. I., Grassi, D., Wentworth, M., Burd, C. E., Arriaga, E. A., Ladiges, W. L., Tchkonia, T., Kirkland, J. L., … Niedernhofer, L. J. (2018). Fisetin is a senotherapeutic that extends health and lifespan. EBioMedicine, 36, 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.09.015
