Authors: Jose Viña, Consuelo Borrás (2024)
DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14963
Published in: FEBS Letters
Objective
To explore how mitochondrial function, exercise, supplementation, and targeted therapies contribute to extending not only lifespan but also healthspan—the years lived free of disease and disability.
Key Findings
· Healthspan vs. Lifespan
o Longer lifespans are often burdened by chronic disease and frailty.
o Promoting compression of morbidity is essential to reduce human and economic costs.
· Mitochondrial Dysfunction Drives Aging
o Age-related mitochondrial decline reduces energy production, increases oxidative stress, and promotes chronic inflammation (inflammaging).
o Metabolites like α-ketoglutarate link mitochondrial activity to epigenetic aging control.
· Exercise as a Mitochondrial Modulator
o High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) shows the greatest benefit in enhancing mitochondrial density, function, and fusion/fission balance.
o Exercise reduces inflammatory cytokine levels and improves cognitive and physical function, especially in older adults.
o Personalized, social, and multi-component exercise is most effective.
· Antioxidants & Multivitamins: A Nuanced Role
o While antioxidants like vitamin E may protect against mitochondrial damage, overuse can blunt beneficial stress responses like mitohormesis.
o The Triage Theory suggests micronutrient deficiencies, even if subclinical, may shift resources away from longevity-related cellular repair.
o Low-dose multivitamin/mineral supplementation may support optimal aging.
· Emerging Therapies
o Agents like MitoQ, nicotinamide riboside, rapamycin, and urolithin A improve mitochondrial health via reduced oxidative stress, enhanced mitophagy, and increased NAD⁺.
o Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDVs) offer a new frontier in cellular communication and age-related intervention.
Conclusion
· Promoting healthy aging requires a focus on mitochondrial health, inflammation control, and lifestyle interventions such as targeted exercise and personalized nutrition. While extending lifespan remains a challenge, optimizing healthspan is both an achievable and essential goal in modern longevity science.
Disclaimer This summary is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health regimen or supplement routine. To verify findings, we encourage readers to consult the original study.
Unlocking the biochemical secrets of longevity: balancing healthspan and lifespan Jose Viña, Consuelo Borrás First published: 02 July 2024 https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.14963
