Research

Energy balance

Low levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production enhance systemic defense mechanisms through mitohormesis, conferring stress resistance and extending lifespan, whereas excessive ROS causes macromolecular damage.

Embrace moderate physical activity and metabolic challenges rather than seeking to eliminate all oxidative stress. These mild stresses trigger protective cellular mechanisms (mitohormesis) that improve long-term health and resilience, whereas avoiding them may accelerate decline.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
low levels of mitochondrial ROS production enhance systemic defense mechanisms by inducing an adaptive, hormetic response (known as “mitohormesis”) that confers better stress resistance and life-span extension in various animal models.
Marta González‐Freire et al. · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · 2015

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing multiple animal models (Drosophila, mice, worms) and clinical observations, though direct human intervention data is limited.

Source

Reconsidering the Role of Mitochondria in Aging

Marta González‐Freire et al. · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · 2015

DOI 10.1093/gerona/glv070

narrative_reviewCited 244×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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