You've heard the adage, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” 

Well, as it turns out, it may just be strawberries. 

A particular compound found in strawberries contains incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. This compound is called fisetin, and it may extend lifespan and reduce the effects of some neurodegenerative diseases.

What is Fisetin?

Fisetin is a class of plant pigments (flavonoids) that give color to fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, apples, grapes, kiwi, and persimmons. 

Like many organic plant compounds (polyphenols), fisetin provides a range of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects on the body [1].

Generally, flavonoids are phytonutrients that can help your body ward off toxins, potentially decreasing your susceptibility to chronic health conditions. Fisetin, in particular, can help regulate cellular activity and improve how your body functions.

Brain scientists have found that fisetin has neuroprotective properties that can prevent the progression of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke and traumatic brain injury [1, 2].

Let’s examine fisetin's health and neuroprotective properties and see why you might want this important compound to be part of your diet.

7 Ways Fisetin Fights Neurological Disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases are increasing with longer life expectancies. For this reason, researchers have focused attention on bioactive plant compounds (flavonoids) that may have neuroprotective properties. 

Fisetin has shown the most promising results due to its ability to reduce neuronal cell death, decrease oxidative stress and enhance cognitive ability [2].

Here are seven incredible health benefits of fisetin.

1. Anti-oxidant

Free radicals (oxidative stress) have been found in disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) [3].

Free radicals can result in damage to cells, proteins, and DNA, leading to neuronal cell death and a decline in brain function. The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress because of its high lipid content and high energy requirements [1].

Fisetin is a powerful antioxidant that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. Fisetin has high bioavailability, allowing it to easily cross the blood-brain barrier to prevent oxidative stress on brain cells. As such, fisetin can reduce the brain’s susceptibility to neuronal damage resulting from neurodegenerative diseases [3].

2. Anti-inflammatory

Inflammation in the brain can have damaging effects. Higher levels of inflammation have been linked to cognitive impairment and the development of dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) is almost always associated with inflammation in the brain [4]. Fisetin can help reduce chronic inflammation in the brain and, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, can help remove damaged neurons [1, 2].

3. Anti-Aging

Fisetin is a powerful compound that can slow down the aging process. Not only has fisetin been proven to slow age-related cognitive decline, but it also slows the progression of Alzheimer’s, the most common neurodegenerative condition [4].

Compared to other flavonoids, fisetin is a powerful senolytic (fights biological aging) and can clean up dying cells in the body and slow down cell aging [1]. This positively affects memory and cognition problems that are related to neurological disorders [4].

4. Supports Healthy Gut Bacteria

The brain and the gastrointestinal system are intimately connected. They are so closely related that digestive health may affect memory and cognition. 

Fisetin helps promote a healthy gut function. It does this by increasing the abundance of a microbiome (lachnospiraceae) that reduces gut inflammation and helps maintain the intestinal barrier.  Fisetin boosts the healthy levels of this bacteria in the gut, which support the supply of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) important for brain health [3].

In fact, Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that's closely tied to gastrointestinal health. It's believed that Parkinson’s disease starts in the gastrointestinal tract because of a depletion of these short chain fatty acids in the brain and the gut [1].

5. Neuroprotective Effects

Fisetin supports the development and maturity of neurons. As such, it can promote neuronal survival and neuroplasticity. In addition to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, fisetin can aid cell injury and support neural pathways associated with brain diseases. [5, 6].

Because neurodegenerative diseases occur in the aging brain, preventing neuron damage and death is crucial. The neuroprotective effects of fisetin may prevent the progressive loss of cognitive ability keeping the brain healthier for longer [4].

6. Enhances Long Term Memory

According to researchers, fisetin can help maintain learning and memory in Alzheimer’s patients [5]. Fisetin enhances memory by reducing inflammation in the brain and maintaining levels of proteins needed for the neurons to communicate. It also activates signaling pathways in the hippocampus that contribute to the development of long-term memory [5, 6]. 

7. Has Antidepressant Effects

Depression has been associated with chronic inflammation. Fisetin has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and alleviate symptoms of depression. The antidepressant effects of fisetin have also been associated with regulating the central serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the body [1]. An imbalance in serotonin levels may influence mood in a way that leads to depression, as serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety, mood, and happiness.

And since there’s a link between gut health and mental health, fisetin can further help relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress by regulating gut health. 

Fisetin From Cotinus Coggygria Leaf

While cognitive decline does not always result in dementia, it can significantly impair quality of life, causing frustration and confusion. As such, it’s crucial to take care of your cognitive health.

Even though fisetin is available in strawberries and other fruits and vegetables, taking fisetin supplements can ensure an adequate dose for neuroprotection. The smoke tree (Cotinus Coggygria) is a shrub and provides a natural, abundant source of fisetin that is ideal for supplementation [7].

Taking fisetin derived from the leaf of the Cotinus Coggygria shrub can help support your body’s natural processes for improved cognitive health. This way, the body is better equipped to fight against both acute and chronic neurological diseases.

Only the highest quality supplements contain fisetin from the Cotinus Coggygria leaf. At Lean Factor, we use the best quality and most effective forms of fisetin from the Cotinus Coggygria leaf in our popular brain-boosting supplement:  

Limitless Mind is a natural brain-boosting nootropic supplement designed to help you think more clearly, improve your memory, increase your focus, and reduce brain fog. It's made from all-natural ingredients to provide lasting cognitive benefits. For more information about Limitless Mind, go here.

References

1. Maher, Pamela. "Preventing and treating neurological disorders with the flavonol fisetin." Brain Plasticity 6.2 (2020): 155-166.
2. Rajesh Shukla, ... Santram Lodhi. “Fisetin” Polyphenols in Human Health and Disease, 2014. Science Direct.
3. Khan, Naghma, et al. "Fisetin: a dietary antioxidant for health promotion." Antioxidants & redox signaling 19.2 (2013): 151-162.
4. Fazel Nabavi, Seyed, et al. "Neuroprotective effects of fisetin in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases: From chemistry to medicine." Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 16.17 (2016): 1910-1915.
5. Maher, Pamela. "Modulation of multiple pathways involved in the maintenance of neuronal function during aging by fisetin." Genes & Nutrition 4.4 (2009): 297-307.
6. Maher, Pamela. "Fisetin acts on multiple pathways to reduce the impact of age and disease on CNS function." Frontiers in bioscience (Scholar edition) 7 (2015): 58.
7. Matic, Sanja, et al. "Cotinus coggygria Scop.: An overview of its chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological potential." Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 23.4 (2016): 452-461.