Cell Health, Reimagined

Our genetic material, or our DNA, becomes unstable with age due to damage and inefficient repair processes – resulting in increased mutations and disruption of critical cellular functions. The active ingredient nicotinamide riboside ( NR ) increases the body's own NAD⁺ levels, thereby enhancing DNA repair (1). The trace element selenium also reduces oxidative stress in cells, thus reducing DNA damage (2).

Telomeres are the protective caps of our chromosomes, which shorten with each cell division. If the cell divisions fall below a critical length, cells stop growing or die. Recent studies show that taking selenium as an antioxidant protects telomeres from oxidative degradation and thus slows telomere shortening (3).

Autophagy is a central self-cleaning and recycling process of cells. Damaged cell components and misfolded proteins are degraded and recycled, keeping the cell healthy and functioning. However, with increasing age, this cellular "waste disposal" declines: Defective structures are no longer adequately removed, leading to loss of function, increased susceptibility to stress, and ultimately to cell damage. NAD⁺ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside promote the stimulation of autophagy by increasing NAD⁺ levels and can counteract this age-related loss (6). In this way, they help compensate for the age-related decline in cellular self-cleaning, maintain cell health, and slow down aging processes at the cellular level.

Mitochondria (our cell's "powerhouses") produce less energy and are increasingly vulnerable to damage, increasing oxidative stress in the cells. This strain weakens cell function and accelerates aging processes. The natural active ingredient betaine plays an important role here: It improves mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress, and thus helps slow the age-related decline in mitochondrial performance (8).

Aging (senescent) cells no longer divide but release inflammatory factors, thus damaging the surrounding tissue. With age, such "zombie cells" accumulate, which can lead to chronic inflammation. The natural plant substance quercetin acts as a senolytic agent: It specifically eliminates senescent cells, which studies have shown leads to reduced cell aging and improved physical function (9). In this way, quercetin not only supports cellular health but also positively influences emerging signs of aging.

As we age, epigenetic switches that control which genes are active and which are inactive change. These include DNA methylation—small chemical tags directly attached to the DNA—and so-called histone marks, the proteins around which our DNA is coiled. When these switches become unbalanced, natural gene regulation is disrupted, impairing cell function and accelerating the aging process. The active ingredient alpha-ketoglutarate promotes the removal of defective tags (so-called demethylation) and can thus help correct such epigenetic aberrations (4).

Over the years, cellular quality control weakens: Misfolded or damaged proteins can accumulate and have toxic effects, causing cell damage. Selenoproteins repair these so-called oxidized proteins (5). A sufficient supply of selenium thus supports the maintenance of healthy proteins and thus cell function in old age.

With increasing age, a subliminal systemic inflammatory state develops, which scientists also refer to as "inflammaging." This persistent, subliminal increase in pro-inflammatory messengers remains unnoticed for a long time, yet it places a strain on tissue and is considered a key driver of many age-associated diseases such as arteriosclerosis and arthritis. Studies show that the active ingredient calcium alphaketoglutarate ( Ca-AKG ) reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines in old age while simultaneously increasing anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL-10 (12). This demonstrably reduces the chronic inflammatory burden.

Important nutrient signaling pathways—including insulin/IGF-1, mTOR, and AMPK—become increasingly unbalanced with age. Cells then respond less precisely to nutrients, which promotes metabolic dysfunction and accelerates aging processes. The mTOR signaling pathway plays a key role in this: If it is persistently overactive, it promotes cellular stress and accelerated aging. The active ingredient alpha-ketoglutarate can regulate and slow this signaling pathway—similar to fasting—and thus contributes to maintaining a balanced nutrient signaling pathway in old age and promoting cellular health (7).

Stem cells are special cells in our body that have the ability to divide and develop into specialized cell types, such as nerve, muscle, or blood cell repair. However, this ability declines significantly during the aging process. As a result, tissue regeneration slows down, healing processes are slower, and the body's resistance decreases. The active ingredient nicotinamide riboside ( NR ) increases NAD⁺ levels in the body, thus supporting aging stem cells. Studies on aged mouse models show that NR improves blood formation and can thus restore the function of blood-forming stem cells (10).

Our cells are alive and constantly communicate with each other – via a complex network of messengers, hormones, and signals that coordinate their activities. However, as we age, they send out altered signals. Pro-inflammatory messengers increase, while immune and hormonal signals become more prone to errors. This altered behavior promotes organ deterioration and impairs tissue function. This is where betaine comes in: This natural active ingredient exerts a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It inhibits pro-inflammatory signaling pathways (11), thus reducing the excess release of harmful messengers. This reduces age-related miscommunication (e.g., chronic inflammatory signals) between cells.

The gut microbiome—the totality of bacteria in our digestive tract—plays an important role in health, metabolism, and the immune system. However, with age, this ecosystem becomes unbalanced. Beneficial bacteria decrease, while potentially harmful ones increase. This disrupted gut flora impairs digestion, immune function, and metabolism. The herbal compound quercetin has prebiotic properties that promote the growth of healthy bacterial strains. Studies show that quercetin increases the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria, thus counteracting dysbiosis (13). In this way, it helps maintain a balanced gut flora.