From the moment we arrive in the world, we are aging. Granted for our first couple of decades, aging takes the form of development – we grow into adulthood -- but, as time marches on, most of us do start to become aware of the downsides. Add a few milestones to the mix, like having kids or ‘hitting the Big 4-0’ and the idea of aging starts to become more daunting. Wrinkles may form, hair may thin and we may start to move a little slower or perhaps ache a bit more after a workout. Those ‘symptoms’ of aging, though disconcerting at first, are reminders that aging is a privilege that not everyone gets to share – so the first rule of Aging Club is gratitude. And the second?  To seek out ways to age as slowly and vibrantly as possible. In my practice, we get to do that every day, helping others to do the same.

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One thing that is truly wonderful about aging these days is, that unlike our parents and grandparents, we now have a phenomenal number of ways to help us slow the slide, support longevity and expand our healthspans -- the length of time we remain healthy. In other words, it’s actually an exciting time to be aging – and to be able to tap into many of the revolutionary longevity-supporting discoveries that have emerged in the past decade or so. Among the more interesting recent discoveries worth considering is one you may not be familiar with: fisetin. Though it’s a natural compound that’s been around for a long time (it’s surely older than the human species), only recently has it come to light as a promising longevity candidate. With its antioxidant properties and abundant potential health benefits, fisetin is an excellent addition to your age-defying toolbox. Here’s a look at what fisetin can do for you:

So, what is fisetin?

Fisetin belongs to the polyphenol family of compounds, specifically the flavonoids, which are found in a number of fruits and vegetables and give many of them their vibrant colors. The body loves flavonoids not only for their powerful antioxidant properties, but also because they help your body function more efficiently and offer protection from many of the potentially harmful pathogens, toxins and stressors that can trigger must-to-avoid inflammatory reactions.

How does fisetin hold back the years?

While there are a number of factors at play, in large measure, fisetin is thought to combat the effects of aging by helping to reduce the amount of free radicals in the body, and, an added bonus, may also help boost the effects of other antioxidants in the body. Those trouble-making free radical molecules can inflict oxidative harm on your cells and set the table for more rapid aging and many age-related illnesses – so the fewer free radicals on the loose the better. Fisetin fights back, scavenging excess free radicals, providing antioxidant protection for your cells which, in turn, helps slow down the aging process. What’s more, studies have shown that fisetin stimulates sirtuins, those essential proteins responsible for promoting cellular health and extending lifespan. By activating sirtuins, fisetin enhances natural cell repair processes to promote longevity.

Fisetin has got a lot to give in the youth-preserving department.

In the lab, multiple studies have looked at the anti-aging effects of fisetin. Among the most exciting recent findings is fisetin’s potentially neuro-protective effects, which could be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Showing additional promise are animal studies that have shown fisetin to be helpful in reducing amyloid plaque buildup and protective against the loss of healthy brain cells. Though the research continues to work its way up the line from animal to human studies, the current thinking is that fisetin’s anti-inflammatory and potentially cancer-preventing powers all play a key role in keeping the brain healthy – making it a potential boon to the body from head to toe, regardless of where you are in the aging process.

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Another interesting thing about fisetin? It’s potentially game-changing ‘senolytic’ powers, aka, its ability to promote the death of ‘senescent’ cells, or cells that continue to hang around even though they’re deteriorating and gumming up the works. This matters because a number of fundamental aging processes that contribute to shorter lifespans and poor ‘healthspans’ are closely related to senescence. It’s one big reason why, as individuals age, they become more prone to disease and their organs begin to function less and less effectively.

Benefits beyond the brain.

Besides protecting brain health, fisetin offers numerous other potential benefits, including having a positive impact on age-sensitive aspects of our physiology like motor function and insulin sensitivity, according to a 2018 animal study. Though research is still in the early stages, the good news continues to add up, as studies consistently link fisetin with a wide array of health benefits, including:

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1. Cancer prevention: Research has shown that fisetin can hinder the growth of cancer cells and promote cell death in breast, prostate, and colon cancers. The thinking is that it’s antioxidant boosting and anti-inflammatory properties make it well suited to fight cancer cell growth.

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2. Heart health: Fisetin's anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels may improve heart health, while its antioxidant effects may protect against oxidative stress. In animal studies, findings indicated that fisetin also helped improve heart function and hearth tissue health following cardiac events.

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3. Diabetes management: Preliminary studies suggest that fisetin may improve insulin sensitivity and assist in regulating blood sugar levels, making it a potentially valuable resource for those with diabetes.

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4. Metabolic support: Fisetin may be helpful in controlling metabolic issues and weight gain, based on an animal study that reported 75% less weight gain when fed a high-fat diet in tandem with fisetin. Though here too, research is in early stages, the potential upsides for those with metabolic concerns is significant.

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5. Skin health: Its antioxidant abilities may allow fisetin to shield the skin from damage caused by UV radiation and environmental toxins, thereby promoting skin health and potentially reducing signs of aging. Also based on animal study results, fisetin has been shown to be helpful for the treatment of inflammatory skin issues like eczema.

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6. Pathogen-fighting: Studies suggest that fisetin may also have antimicrobial properties, as well as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic effects.

Fisetin for everyday anti-aging and longevity-boosting.

As research into fisetin’s numerous benefits continues, the good news is that incorporating fisetin-rich foods into your diet can be a simple and delicious way to harness its potential benefits. To get your dose, the top edible sources are:

• Strawberries
• Cucumber
• Onions
• Apples
• Grapes
• Lotus root
• Kiwi fruit

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Persimmons and grapes are also good sources of fisetin but keep in mind they are also high in sugar, so go easy, and instead focus on lower sugar fruit like strawberries and apples.

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Supplements are another way to boost intake of this potent compound. When choosing a fisetin supplement, opt for reputable brands that use high-quality ingredients and follow recommended dosage guidelines. As always, be sure to get also the go-ahead from your doc first, and have them check for your specific needs, conditions and any contraindications for prescriptions you may be taking. Assuming you’ve got the all clear, a 100 mg daily supplement should suffice. Though fisetin is generally well tolerated with few side effects, pregnant or breast-feeding women and children should steer clear, as there’s currently not enough safety data to definitely determine fisetin’s health impact on those groups.