The cellular burden of aging
Aging is not just about wrinkles or slower metabolism. At its core, it is a cellular process marked by the accumulation of damage. Over time, some cells lose their ability to divide and repair, yet they do not die. These senescent cells, as they are called, linger in the body and emit inflammatory signals that can impair tissue function, damage neighboring cells, and contribute to a wide range of age-related diseases.
This process accelerates as we get older. It is linked to everything from joint degeneration to cognitive decline. The presence of these so-called “zombie cells” has become a key focus in aging research. The more we understand how they work, the more we see their removal as a potential turning point in the science of longevity.
What are senolytics?
Senolytics are a class of therapies designed to selectively target and remove senescent cells from the body. These compounds aim to reduce the burden of cellular debris that accumulates over time, ideally restoring healthier tissue environments and reducing systemic inflammation.
In early animal studies, senolytic drugs have shown promising results. Mice treated with senolytics experienced improved heart function, delayed tumor formation, stronger bone density, and extended lifespan. Importantly, the treatment did not affect normal cells, only those that were functionally senescent.
Several compounds are currently under study as senolytics, including:
Dasatinib and quercetin: Often used together to target different types of senescent cells
Fisetin: A plant-based flavonoid found in strawberries and other fruits
Navitoclax: A more potent agent, still in early testing due to potential side effects
Though none are widely approved for human use outside of research settings, interest is growing quickly. These compounds represent a potential shift from slowing aging to actively reversing some of its effects at the cellular level.
Where exercise fits into the picture
Exercise and senolytics may seem unrelated, but they intersect in meaningful ways. Physical activity is already one of the best known modulators of aging. It reduces inflammation, supports immune function, and improves mitochondrial efficiency — all of which contribute to the body’s ability to clear damaged cells naturally.
Some studies suggest that exercise may even reduce the load of senescent cells, particularly in muscle tissue and fat. While not as targeted as senolytics, movement seems to activate cellular repair mechanisms and promote a healthier internal environment.
Here’s how:
- Moderate endurance exercise helps maintain telomere length and reduces markers of inflammation
- Resistance training preserves muscle quality and prevents metabolic stress that can promote senescence
- Regular activity improves circulation, ensuring that immune cells can access tissues and perform cleanup
While senolytics are still experimental, exercise is already available and proven. The two may one day work together, with exercise reducing the formation of new senescent cells and senolytics helping to clear the ones already entrenched.
The ethical and logistical horizon of senolytics
The growing attention around senolytics also raises questions about access, safety, and long-term outcomes. If these compounds become effective anti-aging tools, who will be able to use them? How often will they be needed? What unintended consequences might emerge from altering the body’s natural aging process?
There’s also a philosophical layer. If aging becomes modifiable, even partially, how do we define a full life? And what happens to the meaning of age when we can intervene at the cellular level?
When aging becomes irreversible: cryopreservation as a parallel path
Even with the most advanced interventions, some aging-related conditions remain out of reach. Whether due to late-stage disease, genetic risk, or unforeseen complications, the reality is that not everyone will benefit from the latest breakthroughs in time.
This is where cryopreservation becomes relevant.
Cryopreservation involves stabilizing and storing the body at extremely low temperatures after legal death, with the goal of preserving cells and tissues in a state that future science may one day repair. It is not a cure, and it is not guaranteed. But for those who want to preserve the possibility of future life when today’s options have run out, it is a meaningful choice.
At Tomorrow.bio, we walk individuals and families through this decision with care. If you are facing a terminal diagnosis or simply thinking long-term, we are here to explain how cryopreservation works and what it could offer.
We understand how difficult these decisions can be, especially in moments of loss or uncertainty. Cryopreservation is not for everyone, but it exists for those who value the idea of a second chance when the science finally catches up.
Senolytics represent one of the most exciting developments in the science of aging. By targeting senescent cells directly, they promise to go beyond surface-level treatments and reshape aging from the inside out.
But even as we push forward with innovation, we must also care for those who may not live long enough to benefit from it. Cryopreservation bridges this gap, preserving not just biology, but the potential for a future that has not yet arrived.
Whether you are tracking the latest breakthroughs or facing an impossible diagnosis, Tomorrow.bio is here to help you navigate what is possible, with clarity, with science, and always with empathy.
About Tomorrow.bio
At Tomorrow.bio we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people a second chance at life As Europe’s leading human cryopreservation provider we focus on rapid high-quality standby, stabilization and storage of terminal patients preserving them until future technologies may allow revival and treatment.
Our mission is to make human cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone We believe that no life should end because current capabilities fall short.
Our vision is a future where death is optional where people have the freedom to choose long-term preservation in the face of terminal illness or fatal injury and to awaken when science has caught upInterested in learning more or becoming a member
📧 Contact us at hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website www.tomorrow.bio
🤝 Schedule a call with our team Book a consultation
