How cells repair themselves and how you can support this process

The human body is vulnerable. Every day, our cells are exposed to internal and external factors such as stress, injuries, and aging. Yet, we possess a remarkable ability: the ability to recover. Think of a bone that heals after a fracture or abrasions that close with a scab and heal. This self-healing ability occurs at the cellular level and is indispensable for our health and age. There are ways you can use yourself to support your body in this. In this article, you will read more about the body's self-healing ability and practical ways to enhance this process.

Recovery at the cellular level

When we zoom in on the repair processes that take place in the body, we arrive at the cellular level. Cells have an ingenious system that can regulate and maintain itself. This system mainly focuses on two processes:

• DNA Repair: detecting and repairing damage in cells.
• DNA Cleaning: the removal of waste products, so that damaged or aged cells optimally repaired or broken down if necessary.

An important biological mechanism that drives these processes is the Hippo signaling pathway. This system helps the body determine when cells should grow and when they should stop, so that tissues remain healthy and damaged cells are properly repaired. A good example comes from research by Bangru and colleagues, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. ¹  In this study, scientists discovered that the Hippo signaling pathway plays a key role in the repair of liver tissue.

By studying mouse models in which this mechanism was temporarily switched off, researchers observed that liver cells began to divide again and exhibited properties similar to young, active cells. In other words, the system helps the body repair damaged tissue by temporarily reverting cells to a more youthful state. How effectively this process proceeds is related to how our DNA regulates the activity of this signaling mechanism.

DNA determines how we age

Damage can occur in different parts of the cell, such as in the cell membrane (the protective outer layer), the mitochondria (the cell's powerhouses), or the cell nucleus. In that nucleus lies the DNA, which acts as a director containing the instructions for the repair and maintenance of cells.

According to research by Gensler and Bernstein, published in The Journals of Gerontology, DNA damage plays a central role in the aging process. When this damage accumulates, cells lose their ability to function properly and to repair tissues. Tissues with a low repair capacity, such as brain tissue, are particularly sensitive to this. ²

Factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle and exposure to UV light also accelerate this process. Supporting DNA repair and limiting damage are therefore important to keep cells vital and to age healthily.

DNA is vulnerable

DNA ensures that our body functions properly, but it can be damaged under pressure from external influences. It is therefore important to be mindful of your body. There are several external factors that can cause damage to DNA, such as:

• UV radiation: exposure to the sun
• Air pollution: for example, exhaust fumes and factory emissions
• Pesticides: via food or drinking water

Additionally, internal processes also pose a risk, particularly oxidative stress. If the body experiences prolonged physical or mental stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants can occur. An excess of free radicals damages cells and DNA, accelerating the aging process and weakening the immune system. 

Reducing oxidative stress

You can see our mitochondria as small power plants in every cell. They produce the energy the body needs to function. During that process, free radicals are also formed. These are unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells.

When free radicals do that, damage occurs. This process is called oxidation and can affect the DNA. If this happens too often and the body cannot sufficiently repair it, we speak of oxidative stress. This is associated with faster aging, a weaker immune system, and various health problems that can arise in the long term.³

A healthy balance is normal, but an unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of DNA damage. Excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of sleep, too much sun, or a sedentary lifestyle increase oxidative stress. The solution often lies in the opposite: healthy food full of antioxidants, sufficient exercise, good sleep, and moderation of harmful habits. This protects your cells and supports recovery processes.

What if DNA damage has already occurred?

You can imagine our DNA as a kind of twisting ladder. The sides are the two strands and the rungs in between are the base pairs. Together, they form the code that determines how our body functions. This code can be damaged by, for example, sunlight, stress, pollution, or simply by the copying of cells. Fortunately, the body has developed smart systems to repair such damage as well as possible. Herman Nicolaas describes in his research that each process has its own task ⁴. In the case of small damages in one of the strands, the body intervenes quickly. Think of:

Mismatch repair: This process corrects mistakes that can occur when DNA copies itself. It works a bit like a spell checker that fixes a misplaced letter.

Base excision repair: This mechanism removes small damages, for example, due to oxidative stress. You can see it as replacing a damaged rung in the ladder.

Nucleotide excision repair: This system repairs larger pieces of damage that disrupt the structure, such as damage from sunlight. It is akin to removing and replacing a larger segment of the ladder.

In cases of more severe damage, where both strands are broken, more advanced processes come into action. These include homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. These systems work together like experienced repairers who know how to neatly rejoin large breaks so that the DNA retains its shape and function.

The beauty is that these repair processes are continuously active. While you sleep, work, or exercise, your body is working in the background to safeguard your genetic code.

How to support DNA repair

For optimal recovery, repair enzymes need resources. NAD+ is an important cofactor that activates these enzymes and also stimulates sirtuins. Sirtuins are proteins that support cell health. Supplements like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and NMN (Nicotinamide Mono Nucleotide) may efficiently increase NAD+ levels. 

In addition to supplements, you can further support your body with a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition, sleep, and stress play a key role in this. By choosing a balanced diet, sufficient night's sleep and good stress management you increase the effectiveness of the enzymes responsible for the repair and protection of your cells.

Prevention is better than cure

Although the body has impressive repair capacities, not all damage can be fully repaired. Therefore, preventing DNA damage is always better than curing it. Think about wearing sun protection, a diet rich in antioxidants and avoiding harmful substances.

Do you want to give your body an extra boost? Then discover the supplements from Enduravita, including our NMN supplement, that may stimulate the production of NAD+ in the body. This way, you optimally support your cellular health and actively work towards a vital and energetic life, possibly also from within.

Sources

¹ bangru, S., Arif, W., Seimetz, J., Bhate, A., Chen, J., Rashan, E. H., Carstens, R. P., Anakk, S., & Kalsotra, A. (2018). Alternative splicing rewires Hippo signaling pathway in hepatocytes to promote liver regeneration. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 25(9), 928–939. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-018-0129-2

² gensler, H. L., & bernstein, H. (1981). DNA damage as the primary cause of aging. The Journals of Gerontology, 36(6), 741–748. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/412317

³ de keizer, P. (2019). Healthier aging by tackling rust cells. UMC Utrecht News. https://www.umcutrecht.nl/nieuws/gezonder-oud-door-aanpak-roestcellen

⁴ hermans, N. (2014). Reflections on the mechanism of DNA mismatch repair [Doctoral dissertation, Erasmus University Rotterdam]. Erasmus University Repository. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/76937/140916_Hermans-Nicolaas.pdf