Immune System Rejuvenation Possible with Compound Found in Common Foods, Study Suggests
A newly published clinical trial indicates that a natural compound, urolithin A, may have the potential to reverse age-related decline in the human immune system. This finding offers a promising nutritional approach to counteracting some of the effects of immune aging, a process that leaves individuals more susceptible to infection and reduces vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers found that supplementation with urolithin A is safe and can increase the number of naive CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for immune response. The study, published in Nature Aging on November 26, 2025, also showed that the compound remodels immune cell metabolism.
Urolithin A is a postbiotic compound created by gut bacteria from ellagitannins and ellagic acid, found in abundance in foods like pomegranates, berries, and nuts. While discovered 40 years ago, its impact on aging and disease is only now being fully explored, as detailed in a review published by PubMed.
The phase 1 clinical trial suggests urolithin A enhances cellular health by increasing mitophagy – the process of clearing damaged mitochondria – and improving mitochondrial function, while also reducing inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated these benefits in animal models, showing protection against age-related conditions affecting muscles, the brain, and joints. Recent clinical trials in elderly individuals have also supported benefits in muscle health.
According to a report from The Paper, the compound essentially performs a “clean-up” within cells by removing aging and damaged mitochondria. The core characteristics of immune aging include the functional decline of important immune cells like T cells and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers note that while lifestyle factors like exercise and fasting can be beneficial, urolithin A represents a potential direct intervention to improve immune aging. The findings could lead to new nutritional strategies for supporting immune health as people age.
