You’ve probably heard of antioxidants like resveratrol or quercetin. But there’s another compound gaining serious attention in longevity research: fisetin. Found in strawberries, apples, and other common fruits, this natural flavonoid has shown promising anti-aging effects that go far beyond skin-deep. It’s one of the standout ingredients in NOVOS Core — and for good reason. This article explores the benefits of fisetin for longevity and how you can get more of it through food and smart supplementation.
What Is Fisetin?
Fisetin is a plant-based polyphenol, or flavonoid, found in various fruits and vegetables, particularly strawberries, apples, persimmons, and onions. It’s known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and more recently, senolytic properties. That is, fisetin may help clear old, damaged cells — known as senescent cells.
In aging research, senescent or “zombie” cells have become a major focus. These cells stop dividing but don’t die off; instead, they linger and release pro-inflammatory signals that damage surrounding tissues. This process is tied to age-related conditions and inflammaging, the chronic, low-grade inflammation that accelerates aging.
Studies have shown that fisetin can selectively target and eliminate these senescent cells, which is why it’s classified as a senolytic agent.
Fisetin Benefits for Longevity
What does the science currently show about fisetin’s potential to extend healthspan — the number of years we live in good health? Let’s explore the benefits of fisetin through a longevity lens.
Clears Senescent Cells
A 2024 study in Aging Cell found that taking fisetin in a specific pattern — one week on, two weeks off — helped reduce the buildup of senescent cells in older mice. After fisetin treatment, researchers saw a large drop in key signs of senescence in the mice’s arteries. In other words, there were fewer zombie-like cells hanging around in the blood vessels.
The study also showed that fisetin lowered inflammation in the arteries by reducing certain harmful molecules produced by these aged cells. This finding is important because chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease and other age-related conditions.
To double-check their findings, scientists used a special mouse model that allowed them to remove senescent cells genetically. When they did this in mice that had already taken fisetin, there was no added benefit — suggesting fisetin had already done the job.
Overall, this research supports the idea that fisetin acts as a senolytic and that it may help keep blood vessels healthier as we get older.
Boosts Brain Function
A 2024 study in Antioxidants demonstrated that fisetin may help protect neurons and support brain health under stress conditions. Researchers exposed mouse brain cells to oxidative stress mimicking aging-related damage, then treated them with fisetin. Compared to untreated cells, those receiving fisetin showed:
- Restored mitochondrial function: Improved energy production and less oxidative stress
- Healthier cellular structure: Better regulation of calcium and reduced cell damage
- Stronger antioxidant response: Higher levels of protective proteins like HO‑1 and NQO
This study shows that fisetin does more than temporarily boost brain cell performance — it actively helps maintain essential cell health under conditions similar to those found in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. While it’s still an in vitro study, the findings offer promising insight into how fisetin might support real-world brain health and longevity.
Reduces Systemic Inflammation
Fisetin has been shown to downregulate inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, key markers of chronic inflammation. Reducing these compounds may help the body stay healthier with age, potentially lowering the risk of diseases linked to chronic inflammation, such as heart disease, cognitive decline, and arthritis.
Improves Skin Health and Appearance
Can fisetin make you look younger? While it’s not a miracle fix, it may enhance youthfulness by targeting the root causes of visible aging. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and increasing glutathione levels, fisetin may help preserve skin collagen and elasticity over time. Inflammation accelerates wrinkle formation and skin thinning, so managing it with compounds like fisetin could result in healthier, more resilient skin.
Supports Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health
Research suggests fisetin may help regulate blood sugar and support vascular health, two key areas linked to aging and chronic disease. In a 2023 study published in Nutrition & Metabolism, fisetin supplementation in diabetic animal models led to lower blood glucose levels. Researchers found that fisetin improved metabolic balance by enhancing glycolysis (the breakdown of glucose for energy), reducing excess glycogen production, and increasing glycogen storage in the liver and muscles.
How To Get Fisetin From Food
Fisetin-rich foods include:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Grapes
- Onions
- Persimmons
- Cucumbers
Note, however, that dietary intake alone isn’t enough to achieve senolytic effects. For example, you’d have to eat about 8 pounds of strawberries to match the fisetin dose used in animal studies — not exactly practical. That’s why targeted supplementation is necessary to unlock fisetin’s therapeutic potential.
Fisetin Supplement Dosage and Safety
Studies on fisetin often use doses between 100 and 500 mg per day, sometimes for just a couple of days each month as part of a senolytic routine. But taking a smaller amount every day may also offer long-term benefits. NOVOS Core includes 100 mg of fisetin in each daily serving — a dose based on scientific research and meant for ongoing daily support.
Although more human studies are still needed, fisetin is generally considered safe when taken in the right amounts.
Potential Side Effects
Fisetin has been well-tolerated in animal studies, even at relatively high doses, and no serious side effects have been reported in early human research. However, because long-term human studies are still limited, it’s smart to be cautious.
Some people may experience mild digestive upset when taking fisetin supplements. While not well-documented in clinical trials, there is some speculation that fisetin could affect platelet function. If you’re on blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, talk to your healthcare provider before starting fisetin — just to be safe.
To avoid unwanted effects and ensure efficacy, choose supplements that offer:
- Clinically studied doses
- Third-party purity testing
- Enhanced bioavailability
NOVOS Core includes fisetin in a research-informed amount and is designed to work synergistically with other longevity ingredients — including NMN, glycine, calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, and pterostilbene — for a comprehensive anti-aging effect.
Fisetin Vs. Quercetin: Which Is Better?
Both fisetin and quercetin are polyphenols known for their antioxidant activity. But when it comes to senolytic action — actually clearing senescent cells — fisetin is more potent.
As we discuss in this article, “Fisetin is far better in destroying senescent cells than other substances, such as quercetin or curcumin or EGCG.” That’s one reason NOVOS Core is formulated with fisetin instead of quercetin.
Unlike generic fisetin products, NOVOS Core offers it in combination with complementary compounds that address multiple hallmarks of aging. Think of it as the difference between taking a single supplement and following a full protocol — the latter has broader, longer-lasting effects.
The Fisetin Fix
Fisetin is one of the most promising natural senolytics currently under scientific investigation. From brain health to inflammation control and cellular renewal, it targets multiple aging pathways. That’s why NOVOS includes fisetin in its flagship formulation. When paired with other ingredients like NMN, glycine, and calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, fisetin plays a powerful role in helping you age better, from the inside out.
If you’re curious about the role of senescence in aging — and how targeted nutrition can slow it down — check out this guide on cellular senescence and inflammaging.
To go deeper into the benefits of fisetin, read NOVOS’s fisetin supplement spotlight.
Explore the full range of NOVOS longevity solutions designed to help you age better, inside and out, with supplements that target the root causes of aging.
