The Rising Importance of Stronger Cells

Healthy Aging

Cellular integrity is a thing (really)

In this Whole Body Health Series, we are sharing the latest science on our whole body, from our cells on up.

This week, we’ll start with the basic building block of our body: cells. Specifically, the rising importance of cellular integrity (aka strong cells).

Great. What do you mean by “strong cells”?

Simply put, the strength of our cells is determined by the strength of our cell membranes. As a quick reminder, our cell membranes are made of two layers of lipids (aka fats) that serve as an armor for our cells. These fats also help to send signals within and between our cells. So, think of our membranes as critical cellular bodyguards with great communications skills.

Okay, but what makes a cell membrane strong?

Basically, sturdy fats. As described by A.J. Hulbert’s Cell Membrane Pacemaker Theory of Aging, the more stable the fatty acids in our cell membranes, the stronger our cells… and the longer we live (really).

• Saturated fatty acids, like C15:0, are super stable and contain no double bonds in their molecular structure.
• Unsaturated fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, are unstable because they contain double bonds.

In his studies, Hulbert showed that mammals with the longest lifespans had the most saturated fatty acids (aka the least double bonds) in their cell membranes. This is because double bonds are weak points that make fats susceptible to attack by oxygen, resulting in lipid peroxidation. In turn, as described by Jomova et al., lipid peroxidation leads to cellular breakdown, chronic inflammation, and faster aging.

These days, our cell membranes are under attack by a new enemy called ferroptosis.

As described by Mortensen et al., oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in our membranes can lead to cellular death.

This lipid peroxidation-driven form of cellular death was discovered by a team of scientists at Columbia University.  They coined the term, “ferroptosis”, in their hallmark 2012 paper. Since then, over 10,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published on ferroptosis, including its role in worsening cognitive, metabolic, and heart health, all while accelerating aging.

Which fatty acids make ferroptosis worse?

Well, those with the most double bonds (aka polyunsaturated fatty acids). While omega-6 fatty acids appear to be the worst actors, Mortensen et al. showed in models of aging and ferroptosis that both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids accelerate cellular damage and death.

We’ll dive deeper into ferroptosis next week, specifically the added damaging role of iron. For now, it’s good to know that the more stable the fatty acids in our cell membranes, the lower the risk of ferroptosis and cell death.