SOURCE — 4 min
Categories: Whole Body Health | Healthy Living | Fitness & Exercise
The Link between Mitochondria and Aging
As we age, it’s common to notice changes in energy, strength, and memory — but many factors influence how we experience the aging process.
A New Perspective on Aging
It is true that aging is a scientific, biological, and physiological process. And until very recently, the scientific community believed that the aging process and diseases related to age could not be prevented. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize aging as a condition, and therefore does not approve drugs or nutrients that could support the aging process. But one field of science – geroscience – is attempting to change this understanding. Researchers are studying how biological aging influences health and longevity.
The Health of our Cells is the Key
Remarkable advances have been made in the last several years alone, and many of these have focused on mitochondrial health. Mitochondria, the organelles inside our cells responsible for producing energy, deserve this attention as they are proving to be a significant and literal player in our lives. In addition to generating cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), they also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is analogous to a car’s greenhouse gas emissions when the engine is running.
Supporting Cell Health as Cells Age Weakens
Despite our mitochondria having compensation systems to neutralize free radical damage, as cells age, mitochondria’s ability to protect them weakens. With the aging process comes reduced ATP production and increased free radical generation. Think of an old, worn-out car; its engine becomes sluggish and exhaust more noxious as it ages.
Recycling of Mitochondria
There must also exist a balance between mitochondrial creation and recycling. The scientific term for this is mitophagy, which can be described as a quality control check that helps the degradation of damaged mitochondria.[1] Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that supporting mitophagy may play a role in the health and maintenance of cells to support healthy aging processes.[2]
The Role of Mitochondria and our Health
Optimizing the health of mitochondria is important for every cell in our body as we age, from muscle cells to brain cells and everything in between. Let’s now look at how mitochondrial health is connected to different areas of health, and how understanding the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial changes may help support healthy aging.
Cardiovascular Health
Mitochondrial changes are believed to be associated with various aspects of cardiovascular function, such as the health of blood vessels and heart tissues.[3] Poorly controlled blood sugar, cigarette smoking, and stress can all accelerate the aging process in blood vessels by damaging mitochondrial DNA and increasing free radicals.
Muscle Health
Muscle cells are some of the most active cells in the body, and therefore contain a large number of mitochondria – up to 30,000 per cell! As in other tissues, mitochondria generate energy in our muscles, a key element in the contraction and relaxation of muscles.[4] Sarcopenia, defined as an age-dependent loss of muscle mass and strength, may be a major consequence of poorly functioning mitochondria.[5]
To help keep our muscles strong and healthy as we age, be sure to consume enough protein, engage in weight-bearing and strength-training exercises, and remember to warm up and stretch your muscles when active.
Cognition and Memory
The human brain constitutes only 2% of body weight but requires 20% of the metabolic output in the body.[6] With this high energy demand, it is particularly sensitive to unhealthy mitochondria.[7] Although not proven in human clinical trials, it is believed that mitochondrial function is connected to age-related changes in brain health and cognitive decline.[3]
Metabolic Health
Insulin levels in the body maintain blood sugar balance, and its optimal function depends on healthy pancreatic beta cells, skeletal muscle, and the liver. The genes and proteins controlling mitochondrial dynamics can be dysregulated by a high glucose concentration, leading to the overproduction of ROS in these cells and eventual insulin resistance.[8] Insulin resistance is increasingly common and represents a key metabolic imbalance associated with blood sugar regulation.
Energy Levels
A hallmark symptom of diagnosed mitochondrial conditions is fatigue. In these cases, poor energy is likely correlated with changes in mitochondrial function and production of ATP.[9] With low energy being one of the most common complaints among adults, supporting mitochondrial function may help promote energy production.[10] Instead of relying on quick fixes like caffeine, supporting mitochondria to promote the production of ATP and overall cellular energy balance may be beneficial.
In the span of only a decade, accumulating evidence has revealed exciting links between mitochondrial dysfunction and age-related pathologies. What were once ideas and concepts are now preclinical and clinical approaches to stalling the aging process through mitochondrial support.
In Part 2, we will dive deeper into the main pathways of mitochondrial damage and how lifestyle tips and nutraceuticals, including plant extracts and antioxidants, can help support the generation of ATP, improve mitochondrial turnover, and ultimately support the aging process from within.
