Nutrition senolytics - illusion or reality for cognitive ageing?

Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2022 Jan 1;25(1):7-28. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000796.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Cell senescence is implicated in numerous age-related conditions. Antiageing therapies and nutritional approaches have been researched for purposes of removing senescent cells (senolytics) to treat or prevent age-related diseases, such as cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. In this updated review, we examined the evidence from the last 18 months regarding nutrition senolytics, with a focus on cognitive ageing among older adults.

Recent findings: Overall, 19 systematic reviews and 17 intervention studies were included. Studies failed to provide evidence of nutritional senolytic agents or senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) suppressors, for oral supplements providing beneficial effects on cognitive ageing among older adults. The protective role of food sources such as berries and nuts, and dietary patterns of Mediterranean diet and Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet against cognitive decline or risk of dementia have been mostly supported by recent studies.

Summary: The present review gathered additional evidence for both oral supplements and foods/diets rich in nutritional senolytic agents or SASP suppressors on cognitive health among older adults. In pursuing antiageing strategies, the importance of whole foods and healthy diets should not be overlooked, future studies are warranted on long-term effects and cytotoxicity of nutritional senolytics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cognition
  • Diet, Mediterranean*
  • Humans
  • Illusions*
  • Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype
  • Senotherapeutics

Substances

  • Senotherapeutics