Millions at risk from killer ‘zombie cells’ – only one way to stop them

It might sound like something out of a horror movie, but scientists have discovered that we are all under attack from killer zombie cells, and as a result, tens of thousands of Britons are sleep-walking towards serious health problems. This toxic phenomenon is known as cellular senescence – a build-up of cells which no longer work properly, but refuse to die.

Instead, they relentlessly lumber around our bodies, damaging healthy cells and oozing inflammation. This accelerates ageing and sets up a toxic process known as “inflammageing” – a recognised trigger for life-limiting conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, dementia and depression.

TV doctor and GP Dr Hilary Jones says: “Reducing senescence and disrupting this destructive double whammy is the key to maintaining good health so, not surprisingly, there is a huge amount of research currently under way exploring how to slow the accumulation of these zombie cells, or find ways to kill them off.

“And while it will be years, possibly decades, before this work translates into new therapies and medicines, this research does point to some actionable here-and-now strategies we can all take to protect ourselves from zombie-cell damage.”

The stakes are high. A recent paper in the journal Nature says: “The accumulation of senescent cells can trigger inflammation in organs, leading to organ damage and an increased risk of age-related diseases. This process is exacerbated by positive feedback loops that drive the accumulation of inflammation and organ damage, leading to further damage and an even higher risk of ageing-related diseases.”

So, how can we stall them? Mike Wakeman, researcher and pharmacist from Evera Nutrition, says: “Our best defence is to stop looking at specific diseases and conditions in isolation and, instead, adopt a more joined-up approach which focuses on the way different systems and mechanisms interact.

“The evidence shows that there are a number of different nutritional and lifestyle levers which influence how quickly we accumulate these cells, and how effectively our body combats them. And the more of these we can leverage, the better.”

Mike adds: “The more research I have done around nutrition and health, the more I have realised that optimal wellbeing and disease prevention is all about achieving balance and synergy. For instance, there are many situations, such as taking a test or responding to a threat, where stress boosts performance. But when stress is prolonged, these benefits are soon overwhelmed by negatives.

“Similarly, improving one aspect of your health will have a positive impact on others. Better sleep, for example, reduces stress and inflammation, which in turn improves our mood and cognition and curbs our appetite for obesogenic foods.”

He has now applied this approach, and the latest research around zombie cells, to create the Evera Nutrition range of evidence-based supplements which use synergistic combinations of key nutrients, probiotics, botanicals and plant polyphenols to support seven key pillars of health and stall advancement of these cells.

Curse of insomnia

Quality sleep is fundamental to good health, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that up to half the UK population has insomnia with The Sleep Charity adding as many as nine in 10 people have trouble sleeping.

As a result, millions of us are sleepwalking towards killer health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, as well as modern-day curses such as obesity and depression. A recent paper in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews also draws a direct line between snoring and sleep disruption and the production of zombie cells, and this is confirmed by studies showing it activates a build-up of zombie cells in body fat.

Ways to aid sleep

Mike says: “Sleep is a graphic example of the value of combining different nutrients and plant-based bioactives and botanicals, as we have done with Evera Nutrition Deep Sleep blend. It contains magnesium, which is a recognised sleep aid and defence against zombie cells, as well as L-theanine, chamomile and passionflower and other ingredients which influence upstream drivers for inflammation and cell senescence.”

A 2024 placebo-controlled study confirmed magnesium improves the quality and duration of sleep. Shortfalls accelerate the creation of zombie cells and the risk of age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis.

L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea, chamomile and passionflower all regulate GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a biologically active substance found in plants and in brain and other animal tissues. The signalling hormone calms anxiety and Mike says: “Research shows GABA also plays an important role in programmed cell death and senescence in plants.”

Multiple studies show exercise also aids sleep too, with endurance workouts in particular stalling the rise of zombie cells. Limiting alcohol consumption will promote better sleep too, while binge drinking encourages zombie cell development.

Nightmare of obesity

Two-thirds of people aged 35 and older are now overweight or obese and a recent study warned this increases the risk of many serious health problems including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and many cancers. Another estimates that people who are obese cut 20 years off their life.

Mike says: “Weight gain and impaired insulin response are major drivers for the proliferation of zombie cells and a lot of this damage is driven by AGEs – age-related glycation end products – which literally age us.

“Our bodies produce AGEs when sugars react with proteins or fats, so we accumulate them naturally throughout our life. But inflammation and a high-sugar diet, commonly associated with obesity, accelerate this toxic process.

“We also ingest AGEs from our diet, primarily from sugary foods and carbs which have been cooked at high temperature, as many ultra-processed foods are. Conversely, raw fruit and vegetables have minimal levels of AGEs.”

Weigh it all up

When you are overweight and trying to shed excess fat, you become locked in a battle with your own body, which is evolutionarily programmed to “restore” lost weight. This slows your metabolism, increases hunger pangs and reduces feelings of satiety and fullness. Weight-loss injections mimic GLP-1 hormones which control hunger and satiety and make it easier to eat less. But the jabs are expensive and people quickly regain weight when they stop using them.

“The key to sustained and healthy weight loss is to work with your body and look at the bigger picture,” explains Mike. “We know that poor sleep, lack of exercise and low mood are closely linked to weight gain and obesity, so they should be part of any lasting solution. Making a positive change in any one of these areas will not only lead to benefits across the board, it will also reduce cell senescence.”

Other weight-loss ingredients which may help you include green tea extracts, curcumin and reserveratrol, which have also been shown to slow a build-up of zombie cells.

Cursed with joint pain

Almost a third of the population has some form of musculoskeletal or joint pain and MSK issues account for around 30% of GP appointments. AGEs and zombie cells also play a major role in these pain problems. Higher levels of AGEs are associated with increased damage to cartilage and more severe pain while zombie cells contribute to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and sarcopenia — age-related muscle loss which increases the risk of falls and joint problems.

Mike adds: “AGEs and zombie cells also increase inflammation throughout the body, and this can exacerbate any musculoskeletal problems.”

Killing zombie cell pain

Dr Hilary Jones adds: “Data from 27 studies shows that resistance training improves mobility and pain in people with osteoarthritis, and exercise will also reduce inflammation and combat senescent zombie cells. Eating a Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruit and veg and low in saturated fats and red meat, has also been shown to damp down inflammation.”

Mike adds:“This will also reduce the amount of AGEs in your diet and inhibit the creation of pain-promoting zombie cells.”

A number of plants, including turmeric and boswellia, contain compounds which have been shown to improve joint problems. Analysis of 27 studies into the curcuminoids found in turmeric reported “good clinical efficacy” in patients with osteoarthritis, and boswellia has also been shown to reduce any pain and inflammation which is caused by the condition too.

Crucially, when combined, as they are in Evera Nutrition Joint Active, they appear to work synergistically to provide even more effective relief.