Cellular senescence — when aging cells stop dividing but refuse to die and pump out inflammatory signals — is a key driver of biological aging. This systematic review examined 27 human trials involving 3,811 participants to determine whether nutritional strategies can measurably reduce senescence. Calorie restriction showed the strongest effects, particularly on inflammatory and secretory markers associated with the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Calorie restriction mimetics like metformin and rapamycin showed context-dependent benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids showed modest effects on SASP-related markers. However, more direct markers of senescent cell burden — such as p16 and p21 expression or telomere length — were largely unchanged. The authors caution that SASP markers are not specific to senescent cells, so results reflect possible modulation of senescence-associated inflammation rather than confirmed clearance of senescent cells.
