Metabolic HealthHow Mitochondrial Quality Control Shapes Human Aging and Longevity
Mitochondria do far more than produce energy — they regulate inflammation, stress responses, and cell death. As we age, the systems that keep mitochondria healthy begin to fail, contributing to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and immune decline. This review from researchers at NIH and LUM University synthesizes current knowledge on mitochondrial quality control (MQC), explaining how these cellular maintenance mechanisms work, how aging disrupts them, and which emerging interventions — including NAD+ precursors, AMPK activators, and caloric restriction — show the most promise for restoring mitochondrial health. The authors frame MQC as a concrete therapeutic target for extending healthspan, bridging preclinical findings with early clinical evidence.
