Episode #162: Dr. Nick Bitz: Senescent Cells, Senolytics, and the Importance of Cellular Senescence

Did you know that by the age of 40-50, people have anywhere between 10 to 30% senescent cells in their tissues? Senescent cells are one of the hallmarks of aging, and can disrupt physiology throughout the body. Cellular senescence is the process by which cells permanently stop dividing but do not die off. These senescent cells linger inside the body and accumulate over time, affecting the healthy function of tissues and organs as we age.

I'm joined by Dr. Nick Bitz, and we're diving into everything you need to know about senescent cells and cellular senescence. We discuss why our bodies need some senescent cells, and some of the lifestyle changes we can make to support the body's ability to clear senescent cells. Plus, we answer the question: How young is too young to be worried about your senescent cells?

Dr. Nick Bitz is a Naturopathic Physician that specializes in Ayurvedic medicine. He is a leading voice in the natural products industry and currently serves as Senior VP of Product Development at Neurohacker Collective. His areas of expertise include nootropics, anti-aging medicine, biohacking, herbology, nutrition and dietary supplements.

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What we discuss:

[00:04:18] Why our bodies need some senescent cells

[00:11:34] How young is too young to be worried about your senescent cells?

[00:19:18] Lifestyle changes to support the body's ability to clear senescent cells

[00:30:43] Optimizing health throughout the entire body

[00:40:53] Targeting different communities of senescent cells

[00:47:21] The importance of intermittent fasting

Key Takeaways:

• 40 years old is the age where it is especially important to start taking steps to prevent senescent cells from accumulating in the body and causing age-related diseases, inflammation, weakened immune system, and cell damage.

• Autophagy is the process by which cells break down and recycle their own components. Promoting autophagy can help reduce the formation of senescent cells, as it can help the body remove damaged cells and other debris that can accumulate and lead to cell senescence.

• Senescent cells can accumulate in different tissues and organs, such as the skin, heart, and lungs, and can disrupt normal function. Therefore, it is important to address senescent cells in all tissues and organs to ensure optimal health.