Mastering Nutrition Aging is best explained by declining mitochondrial function over time.
Dec 9, 2025
The discussion centers on the link between aging and declining mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are crucial for energy production and cellular repair, and their decline initiates a vicious cycle of deterioration. Chris Masterjohn highlights that factors like genetics, environment, and lifestyle influence how much mitochondrial function we lose. With an estimated average of 1% loss per year, improving mitochondrial health at any age can slow this decline significantly. Aging isn't just natural—it's a complex interplay of various factors!
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Mitochondria Power Repair And Drive Aging
- Mitochondrial energy production fuels all repair and maintenance in the body.
- Small losses in mitochondrial output compound into a vicious cycle of declining repair capacity.
Cumulative Insults Cause Gradual Decline
- Aging reflects cumulative small insults that reduce mitochondrial function over time.
- Average mitochondrial function declines about 1% per year, halving from 18 to 70.
Most Mitochondrial Variation Is Modifiable
- Age explains only about 25% of mitochondrial function variance.
- The remaining ~75% depends on genetics, environment, and behavior you can control.