Spermidina & the other molecules against the « zombie » aging cells
Nutrigenomics can face what is called « oxidative dystress »
Take an apple, peel it and leave it in the air. After a few minutes he will begin to become dark, to present various brown spots. What caused the color change? It is the consequence of the oxidation of the pulp that came into contact with the oxygen present in the air. In the same way, over the years our body also reacts like the apple: it oxidizes. Oxidation is, in fact, one of the main mechanisms that leads to our aging. « As the darkening alters the quality of the apple, so the oxidative processes caused by the action of free radicals wears our body, damaging fabrics such as the skin, organs such as the brain, apparatuses such as cardiovascular, molecules such as DNA, that » instruction booklet « that regulates the functioning of our body », explains Damiano Galimberti, anti-aging dietician and nutritionist. of the Italian Medici Anti-Aging Association and Author of the Book Longe, healthy and happy (Harpercollins). « This oxidative stress, also comparable to the rust that corrodes iron, is inevitable, but can be more or less intense according to the environmental conditions and lifestyle ».
Not all oxidative stress, however, is harmful. In small doses it can even have a charity role, activating cellular responses of adaptation. It is when you exceed a critical threshold that we speak of « oxidative distress »: it is an excess of free radicals that triggers chronic inflammation processes, that fire burning in the body that burns slowly in a persistent way and which gradually undermines the tissues, promoting the development of chronic-degenerative pathologies typical of advanced age, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic.
But there is an aspect of our aging that seems to have come out of a science fiction film and from which we must protect yourself: the « zombie cells ». That’s right, they live within us and increase as the years pass, they don’t die, but they don’t even work. The « zombie cells » are, in scientific terms, senescent cells that feed the cell aging process. « They lose the ability to divide, but remain metabolically active, » continues the expert. «They occupy living space, preventing younger and functional cells from proliferating and, as if that were not enough, produce metabolic toxins and feed chronic inflammation. Among the mechanisms that mark the passing of the years there is also the progressive loss of efficiency of the autophagy systems, those cellular cleaning processes that allow to eliminate debris and to recycle damaged components, a real « mobile cutting ». Over the years, however, the cleaning capacity is reduced and the cell swallows debris, damaged organes and proteins no longer functional. Another distinctive sign of aging is the shortening of the telomers. These are the structures that protect the ends of the chromosomes. Telomers work as protective caps that preserve genetic information during cell division. However, every time a cell is divided to renew organs and fabrics, a small portion of the telomers is lost. Over time, the telomers progressively shorten and, when they become too short, the cell enters a state of senescence, then transforms « zombies » ».
How much genes weigh
All these processes do not act on their own, but intertwine and feed each other, creating vicious circles that it is important to hinder To promote healthy aging. As? What are the news that come from scientific literature? Galimberti is also president of the Internazional Longevity Science Association which combines science and longevity, dissemination and research. A recent study by the University of Oxford on a large cohort highlighted how genes affect only 2 percent on aging. Consequently, the senescence process is not written in our DNA, but it is above all conditioned by the exposure, a term that derives from the English Exposome, which in turn is composed of Exposure (Exhibition) and Ome (from the Greek « Together » or « Totality »).
The concept of Espostoma was introduced in 2005 by the British epidemiologist Christopher Wild and refers to the set of environmental exhibitions and their impact on the body. « In recent years, the concept of exposure has been established as a fundamental interpretative key to understanding how external and internal environmental factors to the body interact with the individual genetic heritage, influencing the biological processes that regulate aging and the appearance of chronic diseases », comments Galimberti. «The real secret to slowing down aging is to act on modifiable factors, therefore on how we live, what we eat, how much we move and how we protect ourselves from external aggressions. In addition to deepening the mechanisms underlying the aging process, studying the influences of the expanding is today one of the most important challenges of scientific research, together with the development of epigenetic watches: they are tools capable of estimating the biological age and the aging speed of an individual and, above all, to identify the subjective and modifiable factors that influence it. It is a real scientific revolution. Epigenetic watches help us understand not only what we are getting old, but also how to do it better, identifying the most effective interventions to slow down the process and encourage healthy longevity. The next step is, in fact, to identify the personal markers of aging, that is, those biological signs that reveal our state of aging, and then understand how to influence and manage them. The most promising strategies include nutritional and nutraceutical interventions, capable of modulating the mechanisms underlying senescence ».
Out of the « dietary gossip »
Today you can no longer limit yourself to the usual concepts of healthy nutrition and of regular physical activity. It is necessary to go further, leaving the « dietary gossip » centered only on the calculation of incoming and outgoing calories. « We do not ingest only calories, but above all molecules, which can interact with our DNA by conditioning the ignition or silence of its genes and, therefore, influencing the functioning of the entire body », explains Galimberti. « That’s why concepts such as nutrigenomics, molecular diet, regenerative medicine are the basis of the new therapeutic objectives, oriented to improve the ability to repair damaged DNA, contain the silent inflammation and regenerate the » zombie cells « . Selectively eliminating these cells (senolithic action) and/or being able to block their ability to produce inflammation (senomorphic action) are the principles behind regenerative medicine. A fundamental role in this context play the nutraceuticals that a doctor can advise. They are designed to counter the aging process, encourage longevity and improve general health. They are now called geroprotectors and activate signals for cells and, more generally, throughout the body, able to start biochemical and biological mechanisms of protection and repair. The removal of senescent cells can improve cardiac function, reduce physical fragility and encourage neurological function, mitigate or delay the onset of pathologies such as osteoporosis and metabolic diseases, reduce inflammation, contributing not only to the duration of life, but also to its quality « .
Among the most promising natural compounds in the fight against aging is spermidine, a molecule with powerful senoterapeutic properties, with senolithic and senomorphic action. It is found in foods such as amaranth grains, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, shiitake mushrooms and, in particular, in the nitto, a traditional Japanese food obtained from the fermentation of soy beans. « It is a natural polyamine whose intracellular concentration tends to decrease with advancing age and its reduced quantities in the body are related to the physiological deterioration typical of aging », explains the nutritionist. «This molecule acts mainly by stimulating autophagy, the fundamental cell cleaning process to maintain homeostasis, preventing the accumulation of damaged proteins and mitochondria. In addition, research has shown that spermidine can help reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, enhancing the ability to repair oxidative damage to DNA « .
Many suggestions to improve our well -being come from the Italian centenaries that Galimberti himself is studying in the context of a national project on longevity centered precisely on the search for the positive phenotypes of Italians who live longer. «Our centenarians represent a successful aging model, thanks to the combination of several factors. Among these, a positive mentality stands out, oriented towards sociality and conviviality: being with others, maintaining the ability to smile and laugh, cultivate significant relationships and not isolation « , concludes Galiberti. «To this is added a frugal Mediterranean diet, the real one, rich in antioxidants and precious nutrients. Another secret is the adaptation to the biorhythms: a abundant breakfast and a light dinner, consumed as soon as possible and regular times. Often the centenarians reside in hilly or mountain areas and more floors houses, so it can be said that throughout their lives they have always been in exercise. It would be enough today to climb the stairs more often and walk to work, at least for part of the journey ».
