While zombie films draw a crowd, none of us want any zombie cells multiplying in our bodies, causing degeneration or excess inflammation. In hopes of preventing such a doomsday scenario, scientists found a crossover connection between inflammation and aging through such zombie cell accumulation in our bodies. While short term inflammation protects us in countless ways, ongoing inflammation appears to arise from zombie cells (technically called ‘senescent cells’), and it contributes to the aging process. Thankfully, even before pharma world comes up with a medicine, we have several natural choices to curb the zombie cell epidemic in our bodies.
As we age, we have a lot of cell turnover with cells dividing to replace old cells being removed by a process of cell death and recycling called autophagy. As we age, more cells decide for some reason to not reproduce but to just stay alive as senescent cells (zombie cells). Besides staying alive indefinitely, they contribute to ongoing inflammation rather than allowing inflammation to come and go as needed. These chemical signals can recruit more cells into the zombie phase and worsen inflammation over time.
Researchers at Mayo clinic discovered two interlocking processes based in our mitochondria by which the zombie cells seem to replicate. On one hand, the energy-producing mitochondria shift production towards making more of ‘ acetyl-coA,’ a chemical we use in energy production. On the other hand, these mitochondria release more DNA and RNA pieces of genetic material. The acetyl-CoA frees up more inflammatory genes to activate, and the released DNA and RNA increase how often those genes express. Together, they multiply inflammation.
While the article suggests developing drug therapies, we can be encouraged because we already have several natural compounds and lifestyle changes that deal with these pathways. ‘Sulforaphane,’ a chemical found in broccoli and many supplements, upregulates the anti-inflammatory pathway and helps these zombie cells proceed through ‘chaperone-mediated autophagy,’ a fancy name for a peaceful end to the zombies. Dihydromyricetin (a.k.a. ampelopsin) helps upregulate the Nrf2 anti-inflammatory pathway and can be found in two different herbal sources. Apigenin from parsley, celery, and other plants alters this pathway for the better. And, finally, fasting and fast-mimicking diets encourage the autophagy, killing the zombies.
While I look forward to further discoveries in the field of zombie cells, I will continue recommending sulforaphane, particularly as it has multiple other benefits for our chronically ill patients. I’ll keep using the other choices too, when they are appropriate for our goal: to help our patients restore healthier, more abundant lives.
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NrF2 and the Supplements that Boost This Antioxidant Pathway
Original Article:
Hélène Martini, Jodie Birch, Francisco D. M. Marques, Stella Victorelli, Anthony B. Lagnado, Nicholas Pirius, Ana Catarina Franco, Gung Lee, Yeaeun Han, Jennifer L. Rowsey, Wazim Mohammed Ismail, Amelia Mazzone, Tianna M. Espe, Taro Hitosugi, Ya Li, Alexander M. Washington, Aaron Havas, Rabi Murad, Xue Lei, Rebecca A. Porritt, Oliver D. K. Maddocks, Jair Machado Espindola-Netto, Dominik Saul, Sundeep Khosla, Diana Jurk, Enis Kostallari, Alexandre Gaspar-Maia, Peter D. Adams, João F. Passos. Mitochondrial metabolism and epigenetic crosstalk drive SASP. Nature, 2026; 656 (8129): 980 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10791-2
Han, Y.-y., Huang, X.-y., Su, Y., Ma, J.-j. and Wu, J. (2025), Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy: A Critical Regulator of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration. Adv. Biology, 9: e00191. https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.202500191
Thanks to Science Daily:
Sanford Burnham Prebys. “Scientists find how “zombie” cells fuel inflammation as we age.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 September 2026. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260911214301.htm>.
Disclaimer: These and other articles on our website are intended for educational purposes only. They do not constitute a patient-provider relationship and should not replace your current medical provider’s guidance. You are responsible for your healthcare decisions in collaboration with a trusted provider.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
Dr. Eric Potter graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School and then went on to specialize in internal medicine (adult) and pediatric care, spending significant time and effort in growing his medical understanding while caring for patients from all walks of life.
