What happens to your cells as you age?

Cell health and aging are an intertwined process – and one that scientists haven’t 100% figured out yet. A long-held belief in the scientific community has been that aging results from cells, tissues and organs deteriorating. In recent years, researchers have found that aging is also influenced by genetics.

From this perspective, aging doesn’t change organs, tissues and cells – it's the other way around: changing organs, tissues and cells can lead to an aging domino effect. Many complicated functions are constantly occurring within your cells to help keep them healthy and keep your body running as it should. A complex communication system exists within your cells which controls your body’s aging process. If your cells aren’t functioning properly, your body’s aging process can be implicated.

Why do cells deteriorate with age?

It’s a big question – and one that scientists are still trying to fully answer. What they know so far is that stress plays a big role in aging. How do they know this? Researchers have found that telomeres – a portion of DNA found in your chromosomes – can give them an idea of a person’s biological age. Telomeres act as a protective cap which shields your DNA from damage, and the longer your telomeres are, the more protection they can give. As your cells replicate, the telomeres get shorter, this is a natural process in the body and nothing to be alarmed about. The more you age, the more cellular replications you have gone through, and the shorter your telomeres become. While it’s natural that telomeres shorten with age, accelerated telomere shortening in humans can lead to impaired longevity and scientists have shown that stress can have an impact on telomere length.

Another area of cell science that has been linked to aging and longevity is autophagy – your body’s way of clearing out damaged cells. If this process is working properly, experts believe it’s then easy for your body to create new, healthy cells. But if it isn’t working properly, your cell health – and therefore your body’s aging process – can become compromised.

Finally – there's your mitochondria: the power packs within your cells. Mitochondria provide your cells with energy and naturally produce antioxidants needed to combat free radicals – rogue molecules that, left unchecked, can damage your cells. As you age, your mitochondria stop producing as many antioxidants and it becomes much easier for your cells to experience free radical damage – which then speeds up the body’s aging process. The good news is, MitoQ was created for this reason – it's a molecule that helps to replenish a mitochondria’s antioxidant supply so that your cells are supported in all of the jobs that they do – including controlling your body’s healthy aging process.

At what age do cells stop regenerating?

In the wise words of Integrative Physician and MitoQ advocate Dr. Mark Menolacino, “age is just a number. It’s how your body and your cells are aging that makes the difference.”

There are many theories about at what age the decline of cellular health begins.. But the reality is, it’s different for everyone. Lifestyle factors, fitness levels, diet, how much time you spend in the sun – all of these things can add up to cause cell stress, which ultimately leads to cell death or a cell being unable to continue generating new cells. Researchers believe this typically happens after a cell has regenerated around 50 times.

What can you do to support healthy aging?

The short answer is, you want to support the health of your cells s for as long as possible. There are a few scientifically proven ways to look after your cellular health:

Take MitoQ

Independent clinical research has found that MitoQ significantly combats oxidative stress – something which damages your cells and is believed to play a huge role in the shortening of telomeres (remember those DNA portions that, when long, are indicators of health and longevity?). Taking MitoQ is a daily ritual that, by combating oxidative stress and cell stress, supports the health of your mitochondria, cells and telomeres – ultimately supporting your body and mind in aging healthily.

You can learn more about how MitoQ can be used as a tool to positively intervene in your body’s aging process in the video below.

Eat a healthy diet

Research has shown that a diet high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains is linked to healthier cells and longer telomeres. You’ll also want to avoid eating too much sugar, sodium and processed meats.

Don’t smoke or vape

Multiple studies have documented the detrimental impact of cigarette smoking on mitochondrial and cell health. Now, vaping has also been found to be just as damaging. Scientists have found that just 30 minutes of vaping can cause a dramatic increase in cellular oxidative stress. So, if you want to take care of your cells and age healthily – quit now or don’t start.

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