Update on research into ageing
““ This chronic low-grade inflammation occurring in the absence of overt infection, has been defined as ‘inflammaging’ and represents a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the elderly” ”
The main focus of research into inflammaging has been the strong evidence of cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction. It has been demonstrated there is a strong association between chronic diseases that exacerbates during ageing, the dysfunction of mitochondria and cellular degradation, and the resulting by-products of this process is called cellular senescence.
So What is cellular senescence?: in medical terms it is when proliferating cells become resistant to growth-promoting stimuli.
In everyday terms; it’s when the everyday occurrence of cells being replaced in the body, does not go according to plan.
Why does this matter? Because the cell debris from these senescence cells release damaging pro-inflammatory particles called SASP – senescence-associated secretory phenotype.
Senescence cells occur throughout the life span but become increased in number after the age of 65 and are associated with the chronic diseases of ageing.
This is an area of both medical as well as lifestyle interventions, that will become a prominent focus of healthy ageing.
Cellular senescence occurs in response to both external (eg. environment, toxins) and exogenous (telomere shorting & DNA damage, chronic stress) and results with a low grade chronic inflammation reaction in the tissues. This has a flow on effect to cells around the damaged cells, eventually affecting entire tissues and organs.
All cells have a life span and are replaced. The usual and healthy process is called apoptosis. Apoptosis is a well-controlled process and all the by-produces of the dead cell are removed by both immune and circulatory systems.
A Senescence cell is a damaged cell that is still ‘active’ but is
producing inflammatory mediators that increase the risk of cancer and chronic tissue damage (in old age, this is called inflammaging)
Prevent removal of the damaged cell but continuously activates the immune system
Are strongly associated with the development of chronic disease of old age
Care has to be taken as senescence has a beneficial role in tissue remodelling, cancer prevention, and wound healing. It is the build-up of senescent cells and the resulting inflammation that results with the ageing and damaging effects.
Senotherapeutics:- the study of lifestyle interventions to improve the negative effects of senescence. It’s the old favourites and daily ‘do-able’ interventions.
Exercise. Improve tissue circulation of oxygen and nutrients in and carbon dioxide and metabolic waste out.
Nutrition: note: there is not a SUPER food that will reverse this process. A good Mediterranean diet with fresh fruit and lots of coloured vegetables, some but a little meat and protein from legumes and beans. (Take care with the promotion of ‘super foods’ – it’s the combination of healthy foods on a daily basis that makes the difference).
Fluid: clean water as your main drink. NO soft drinks on a daily basis. I will be doing a blog shortly on water balance in the older person.
Equanimity: daily practice of gratitude, acceptance and social interaction.
Future directions: Senolytics – pharma-biological agents that will be used to remove senescent cells from the body. This is an area of significant research money and effort at present.
Mitochondrial control of Inflammation: The role of mitochondria in health is also an expanding field of research. Another blog on this subject to follow.
