Quercetin and Longevity: What’s the Latest?
Quercetin is a flavonoid compound that is well-known for supporting healthy immune system functioning, but recent research has also uncovered links to aspects of healthy aging and longevity.
As one of the most commonly consumed free-radical scavengers in the American diet, quercetin is a flavonoid compound found in many common fruits and vegetables, like apples, parsley, citrus, onions, and berries. However, the amounts found in foods (15-50mg) are not always clinically relevant doses and are much lower than you can find in supplements (500-1,000mg).
Some longevity-related areas that quercetin has been found to be involved with include clearing senescent cells, increasing resistance to oxidative stress, activating sirtuin activity, supporting neurotrophic growth factors in the brain, and even lengthening the lifespan of yeast, roundworms, and zooplankton. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these recent studies.
First, quercetin has been found to act as a senolytic—a compound that kills off senescent cells. Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging, characterized by a buildup of cells that have stopped growing and dividing but remain in the body, causing damage to neighboring cells and tissues. In this cell-based (in vitro) study, treating adipocytes (fat cells) with quercetin significantly reduced markers of senescence and oxidative stress.
Sirtuins play a role in the process of regulating cellular senescence, in addition to several other aspects of longevity, including DNA repair, cellular health, and mitochondrial function. Quercetin has been found to increase levels of some sirtuins, including increasing SIRT1 in the brain’s hippocampal region.
This may be one reason why quercetin is linked to brain health, in addition to the fact that quercetin can cross the blood-brain barrier—the highly selective boundary between circulating blood and the nervous system—and has been shown in preclinical animal studies to protect its integrity.
A preclinical study with mice found that quercetin significantly improved several aspects of cognitive health. In addition to increasing scores on spatial learning and memory tests, the mice receiving quercetin also had fewer reactive oxygen species—a marker of oxidative stress—in the hippocampus and elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). These neurotrophic growth factors support the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons.
Last but certainly not least, several studies in lesser species have shown that quercetin extends lifespan. The most recent, published in 2023, found that quercetin significantly prolonged the average and maximum lifespans of Simocephalus vetulus (a type of aquatic zooplankton). Compared to the control group, the group receiving 1mg/L of quercetin experienced a maximum lifespan extension of approximately 22%. Quercetin also was associated with an increased expression of Klotho, a protein linked to longer lifespans when overexpressed.
Overall, quercetin is a commonly consumed flavonoid, with increasing evidence emerging about its potential benefits for healthy aging. However, it’s important to note that most of the studies on quercetin alone have been in cells or animals, so more research is needed to determine the effects of quercetin on human health and lifespan.
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As one of the most commonly consumed free-radical scavengers in the American diet, quercetin is a flavonoid compound found in many common fruits and vegetables, like apples, parsley, citrus, onions, and berries. However, the amounts found in foods (15-50mg) are not always clinically relevant doses and are much lower than you can find in supplements (500-1,000mg).
Some longevity-related areas that quercetin has been found to be involved with include clearing senescent cells, increasing resistance to oxidative stress, activating sirtuin activity, supporting neurotrophic growth factors in the brain, and even lengthening the lifespan of yeast, roundworms, and zooplankton. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these recent studies.
First, quercetin has been found to act as a senolytic—a compound that kills off senescent cells. Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging, characterized by a buildup of cells that have stopped growing and dividing but remain in the body, causing damage to neighboring cells and tissues. In this cell-based (in vitro) study, treating adipocytes (fat cells) with quercetin significantly reduced markers of senescence and oxidative stress.
Sirtuins play a role in the process of regulating cellular senescence, in addition to several other aspects of longevity, including DNA repair, cellular health, and mitochondrial function. Quercetin has been found to increase levels of some sirtuins, including increasing SIRT1 in the brain’s hippocampal region.
This may be one reason why quercetin is linked to brain health, in addition to the fact that quercetin can cross the blood-brain barrier—the highly selective boundary between circulating blood and the nervous system—and has been shown in preclinical animal studies to protect its integrity.
A preclinical study with mice found that quercetin significantly improved several aspects of cognitive health. In addition to increasing scores on spatial learning and memory tests, the mice receiving quercetin also had fewer reactive oxygen species—a marker of oxidative stress—in the hippocampus and elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). These neurotrophic growth factors support the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons.
Last but certainly not least, several studies in lesser species have shown that quercetin extends lifespan. The most recent, published in 2023, found that quercetin significantly prolonged the average and maximum lifespans of Simocephalus vetulus (a type of aquatic zooplankton). Compared to the control group, the group receiving 1mg/L of quercetin experienced a maximum lifespan extension of approximately 22%. Quercetin also was associated with an increased expression of Klotho, a protein linked to longer lifespans when overexpressed.
Overall, quercetin is a commonly consumed flavonoid, with increasing evidence emerging about its potential benefits for healthy aging. However, it’s important to note that most of the studies on quercetin alone have been in cells or animals, so more research is needed to determine the effects of quercetin on human health and lifespan.
-
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.