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Mitochondria are crucial for life, and increasingly research is finding that they hold the key to better aging and longevity, as a critical hallmark of aging. While optimising mitochondrial health through exercise, diet, and stress management is essential for maintaining their function, targeted, research-backed mitochondrial solutions are proving effective at unlocking a new level of longevity-focused results.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction – A Key Hallmark of Aging
Mitochondria are often remembered as the “powerhouses of the cell,” converting the food we eat and the air we breathe into the energy our bodies need to function. However, they are far more than energy generators. Mitochondria are essential regulators of metabolism, hormones, immunity, oxidative stress, and cell fate, playing a central role in driving age-related changes across the body.
As we age, mitochondrial function tends to decline, leading to poor ATP production and oxidative stress in the cell. Changes in mitochondrial function are often associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative stress within the mitochondria and wider cell. ROS are generated as a byproduct of electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation in the inner mitochondrial membrane, making mitochondria both the primary producers and targets of ROS.
While ROS are a natural part of cellular respiration, excessive levels can damage mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and membranes, creating a cycle of dysfunction.
Because mitochondria are abundant in nearly all cell types, their decline has systemic effects, impacting tissues with high energy demands, such as the heart, brain, and muscles. This widespread impact positions mitochondrial dysfunction as a critical hallmark of aging that interconnects other hallmarks, such as cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and genomic instability.
Optimizing Mitochondrial Health
As far as standard care goes, mitochondria are very responsive to lifestyle and diet changes, making it easy to focus on mitochondrial health. Many foundational principles of health and well-being, like exercising regularly and sleeping well, are mediated through the mitochondria. For those seeking additional support, emerging technologies and supplements provide targeted ways to enhance mitochondrial function.
Exercise:
Exercise, especially intense aerobic exercise, is possibly the most effective way to improve mitochondrial quality and quantity. Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis by activating pathways like PGC-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial production. Increased mitochondrial density improves energy production and resilience against oxidative stress. For those unable to engage in high-intensity exercise, even moderate activity can provide meaningful benefits.
Stress:
Whether you’re aware of it or not, psychological stress takes a toll on mitochondrial health. Mitochondria are responsible for producing and releasing the stress hormone, cortisol, which stimulates the flight or fight response. With over-activation, mitochondria are required to generate vast amounts of ATP which increases the allostatic load placed on these organelles. Keeping on top of stress is an important part of managing mitochondrial health.
Diet and Supplementation:
A nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fats and protein supports mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative damage and providing essential cofactors for energy production. Practices like intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets can also enhance mitochondrial efficiency by promoting mitophagy (the removal of damaged mitochondria) and shifting energy metabolism toward fat oxidation, which may generate fewer ROS.
Supplements designed to help support mitochondrial health are gaining traction, especially among those focused on cellular longevity. However, while traditional antioxidants can neutralize ROS, most fail to reach the mitochondria—the primary site of oxidative stress. This is where advanced mitochondrial-targeted solutions come into play.
MitoQ Mitoquinol: Unique Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant
Mitoquinol mesylate, developed at the University of Otago New Zealand by Professors Mike Murphy and Robin Smith, is a groundbreaking advancement in mitochondrial health. Known commercially as the branded name MitoQ Mitoquinol, this innovative antioxidant is the first of its kind to specifically target the inner mitochondrial membrane, addressing a critical gap in traditional antioxidant therapy. Supported by 30 years of research by leading global institutions including Harvard, Yale, Brown, UCLA, Oxford, Cambridge and more, there are to-date over 900 peer-reviewed independent studies and 25 clinical trials into MitoQ Mitoquinol’s potential benefits. MitoQ Mitoquinol is the subject of 60 patents globally, and is available in a range of dietary supplements, and is self-affirmed Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) for daily use up to 20mg.
MitoQ Mitoquinol’s primary mechanism is to reduce oxidative stress, a key driver of mitochondrial dysfunction. By neutralizing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), MitoQ Mitoquinol has been shown to:
- Reduce oxidative stress by 48%*
- Increase internal antioxidant defenses by up to 36%*
- Protect against mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage*
- Reduce inflammatory markers like IL-6*
- Enhance the cell’s own antioxidant defenses by upregulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)*
Beyond its antioxidant properties, MitoQ Mitoquinol has been shown to reduce vascular stiffness, improve exercise performance, and support cellular repair mechanisms, making it a powerful tool for those aiming to optimize mitochondrial health and cellular longevity.*
MitoQ Mitoquinol and the Hallmarks of Aging
MitoQ Mitoquinol has been effective at improving several hallmarks of aging in preclinical and clinical research:
- Genomic Instability: In a recent clinical trial, three weeks of 20mg MitoQ Mitoquinol supplementation reduced both nuclear and mtDNA damage after high-intensity exercise training by up to 35% compared to control. MitoQ Mitoquinol has also been shown to preserve DNA stability in numerous pre-clinical studies.*
- Telomere Attrition and Cellular Senescence: MitoQ Mitoquinol was able to restore skin cells from 40-year-old participants to the appearance of younger individuals by protecting against telomere attrition. Another study showed that MitoQ Mitoquinol increased the replicative lifespan of the cells by an average of 40%.*
Clinical Data
Cardiovascular Health
MitoQ Mitoquinol has compelling evidence for cardiovascular health, with over six completed clinical trials in this area.
One study published by the American Heart Association revealed that just six weeks of daily supplementation with 20mg of MitoQ Mitoquinol reduced oxidized LDL by 13% and enhanced vasodilation by up to 42%. Furthermore, MitoQ Mitoquinol supplementation effectively decreased age-related aortic stiffness, a key biomarker of aging that is notoriously difficult to address.*
Figure 3. Effects of six-week supplementation of MitoQ Mitoquinol on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (a) and oxidized LDL (b) compared to placebo. Rossman et al., 2018.
Exercise and mobility
In only 10 days, MitoQ Mitoquinol starts to improve the muscle’s response to exercise. In a human clinical trial, 20mg MitoQ Mitoquinol a day helped untrained men improve their muscle’s peak power output by 67% (measured as peak power (W) at VO2max).
Researchers also identified a number of performance-related biomarkers that were enhanced by MitoQ Mitoquinol. One of them is the growth factor, VEGF. VEGF promotes the formation of new blood vessels which increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can be delivered to muscles, making them more efficient. MitoQ Mitoquinol also doubled the expression of PGC1-α, which is known to regulate our metabolism, muscle efficiency, and mitochondrial biogenesis.
One study found that after just four weeks of MitoQ Mitoquinol supplementation, cyclists saw an increase in their levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx). By enhancing the cell’s overall antioxidant capacity, MitoQ Mitoquinol was able to reduce excess reactive oxygen species by up to 48%.
As we age, concerns about frailty and dependence on others often arise. Prioritizing strength and mobility is essential for maintaining independence. Leg extension power, a key indicator of mobility and quadriceps strength, was shown to improve by 11% in healthy, late-to-middle-aged adults after six weeks of daily supplementation with 20mg of MitoQ Mitoquinol compared to placebo.
Upcoming trials
MitoQ Mitoquinol is continually being researched by leading institutions around the globe. In addition to the 25 already-published clinical trials, there are currently a further 19 ongoing clinical trials investigating the effects of MitoQ Mitoquinol including:
The Mito-Frail Trial (NCT06027554)
This cross-over randomised control trial by the University of Connecticut is investigating the effects of MitoQ Mitoquinol supplementation on elderly, frail individuals. Participants will receive a 12-week course of 20mg MitoQ Mitoquinol and placebo, and be tested for improvements in walking speed, cognitive function, endothelial function, and cerebrovascular function.
MitoQ Mitoquinol and Exercise Responses (ACTRN12623000687695)
This trial performed by Australian Catholic University (ACU) is investigating the effect of MitoQ Mitoquinol on the age-related attenuation of muscle responses to exercise in adults aged 65 to 80 years. Participants will receive a 12-week course of MitoQ Mitoquinol or placebo and will be tested for improvements in ROS reduction, mitochondrial respiration, and markers of oxidative stress during and after intense exercise.
MitoQ and Exercise Effects on Menopause-Related Vascular Health (MITO-STEP) (NCT05686967)
This study seeks to explore the use of MitoQ Mitoquinol as an alternative to estrogen therapy to improve oxidative stress and vascular function in post-menopausal women who are estrogen deficient. Participants will be split into three categories and receive a 10-week treatment of: Placebo + aerobic exercise, 20mg/day MitoQ Mitoquinol, or 20mg/day MitoQ Mitoquinol + aerobic exercise. Investigators will compare the treatment effects on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), levels of reactive oxygen species in whole cells and mitochondria, and cell responsiveness to nitric oxide (a vasodilator).
*These statements have not been evaluated by The Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Guest Author: Siobhan Mitchell
Chief Scientific Officer at MitoQ
Email: customerservice@mitoq.com
Holding a PhD in neuroscience from SUNY Albany, Siobhan Mitchell has also completed a post-doctoral fellowship on brain aging at the University of Washington. She has over 15 years of clinical research experience, seven patents on mood and cognitive food products, and has authored over 50 papers on aging, brain health, nutrition, metabolic health and more. With a personal passion for brain aging research, Siobhan has worked on metabolic and skin health, appetite, sports physiology and of cellular health – which she now focuses on as the Chief Scientific Officer for research-backed cellular health company, MitoQ – creators of the world’s first mitochondria-targeted antioxidant.
Hi Kara,
I have been a 10-year fan of your blog. I very much appreciate the deep dive on a number of leading longevity strategies, including the recent MitoQ feature with Siobhan Mitchell.
As an ask, would you help us to compare the leading longevity strategies currently available, including:
MitoQ
Timeline’s Mitopure (Urolithin A)
NR
NMN
fatty15 *
Mimio *
Elysium
NovosLabs Core
Novex Biotech’s GF-9 (HGH precursor)
* Please prioritize deep dives on these, if possible. Feel free to reach out to discuss further.
Tom