Theories of Aging: Mitochondrial

Denham Harman introduced the mitochondrial theory of aging (MTA) in 1972. He is also considered the the “father” of the “free radical” theory of aging (FRTA), perhaps the best known theory of modern times. The MTA is a further refinement of the FRTA, which adds additional elements of aging processes such as cell genetics, the chemistry of cell membranes and energy production in the cell’s mitochondria.

MITOCHONDRIA

Without getting too technical, mitochondria are small “organs” that exist in almost every cells of your body, with the exception of red blood cells. The mitochondria are the “energy factories” of the cells, producing roughly 90% of your body’s ATP energy in the body. Each cell may have 20 or as many as 2500 mitochondria depending upon cell type.

Without these energy producing organs in your cells you could not live. They power your heart, muscles, brain, and allow you to breathe and function. They are energy producing machines, but they can cause problems if they don’t function optimally. Each mitochondria contains its own DNA, so it can divide like a normal cell to further energy production. This has a good [...]