Senescent cells, or 'zombie cells,' are cells that have permanently stopped dividing due to various stresses, such as DNA damage or oncogene activation. These cells can accumulate in the body over time and secrete inflammatory factors, contributing to aging and the development of chronic diseases.

The podcast episodes cover the role of senescent cells in aging and disease, and discuss potential interventions to selectively remove these cells, such as the use of plant-based senolytics like quercetin and fisetin. The episodes highlight the research into these 'zombie cells' and their impact on health, as well as the development of new therapies to target them.

For example, Episode 143 of The Dr. Tyna Show discusses the use of plant-based senolytics to remove senescent cells, while Episode 387 of The Genius Life focuses on the role of senescent cells in skin aging and the development of a peptide-based intervention to target them. Episode 281 of The Peter Attia Drive provides a more nuanced perspective on the limitations of senolytic drugs and the need for further mechanistic exploration.