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I've come to think mitochondria are somehow fundamental to health in ways we can't even see. No sources, but they seem relevant to structure of the overall orga

I've come to think mitochondria are somehow fundamental to health in ways we can't even see. No sources, but they seem relevant to structure of the overall organism, proper healing of wounds, something in the brain (they can move between neurons), apoptosis, and a few other odd things I've seen talked about. They also come up in any number of diseases and conditions. All far beyond what you'd expect from "powerhouse of the cell" producing ATP.

tommychillfiger 3y ago
I'm primed to agree as I like running, and running appears to increase mitochondrial function and density. It also appears to have some anti aging effects, which would track.
- phkahler 3y ago
  But runners also tend to look more aged, don't they?
  - TheCoelacanth 3y ago
    Probably not if they take care to protect their skin from sun damage
    - phkahler 3y ago
      >> Probably not if they take care to protect their skin from sun damage Hah, thanks. I never made that connection.
aeternum 3y ago
Yes, the interesting thing here is that it's the germ cell mitochondria that seem to be the originators of the signal. The article's findings are also backed by data on Eunuchs who live almost 20 years longer than non-castrated men. Now the real question is: Are Bryan Johnson and his followers willing to take logical next step?
- rco8786 3y ago
  I was not ready for that twist but honestly it wouldn’t completely shock me if he did it.
- mschuster91 3y ago
  > The article's findings are also backed by data on Eunuchs who live almost 20 years longer than non-castrated men. The question is why this is the case... if it's historical data, it may simply be correlation, not causation, as in most societies eunuchs were prized and highly privileged compared to the general populations as the noblemen in power didn't see them as a threat to their biological line aka their wives (due to the obvious lack of balls and, in many cases, the penis). And no matter the era, those in privileged positions always enjoyed a longer lifespan due to the accessibility of consistent and higher-quality nutrition as well as healthcare. The only thing coming close that we do have data for (simply out of ethical reasons) is pets and farm animals, and at least for pets there is some reduction in a few reproductive tract-related cancers (well, duh, what's taken out can't grow a cancer) [1] and higher life expectancy due to less fights. [1] https://www.cats.org.uk/farnham/news/the-importance-of-neutering-your-cat https://www.cats.org.uk/farnham/news/the-importance-of-neute...
- qp11 3y ago
  Well we need to know what do eunuchs do with the extra 20 years?
  - jamiek88 3y ago
    Hatch plots against the emperors children mostly.
lock-the-spock 3y ago
You would likely enjoy the book "Power, Sex, Suicide - Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life" by nick Hall, one of the most insightful books I've read in a while. It is all about the evolutionary history of mitochondria and our complex cells and how it affects our and other animals' lives. I learned something new on every page. Dense but very well written and clear to follow.
- pineaux 3y ago
  Love this book
deleted 3y ago
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tommychillfiger 3y ago

I'm primed to agree as I like running, and running appears to increase mitochondrial function and density. It also appears to have some anti aging effects, which would track.

phkahler 3y ago
But runners also tend to look more aged, don't they?
- TheCoelacanth 3y ago
  Probably not if they take care to protect their skin from sun damage
  - phkahler 3y ago
    >> Probably not if they take care to protect their skin from sun damage Hah, thanks. I never made that connection.

aeternum 3y ago

Yes, the interesting thing here is that it's the germ cell mitochondria that seem to be the originators of the signal. The article's findings are also backed by data on Eunuchs who live almost 20 years longer than non-castrated men. Now the real question is: Are Bryan Johnson and his followers willing to take logical next step?

rco8786 3y ago
I was not ready for that twist but honestly it wouldn’t completely shock me if he did it.
mschuster91 3y ago
> The article's findings are also backed by data on Eunuchs who live almost 20 years longer than non-castrated men. The question is why this is the case... if it's historical data, it may simply be correlation, not causation, as in most societies eunuchs were prized and highly privileged compared to the general populations as the noblemen in power didn't see them as a threat to their biological line aka their wives (due to the obvious lack of balls and, in many cases, the penis). And no matter the era, those in privileged positions always enjoyed a longer lifespan due to the accessibility of consistent and higher-quality nutrition as well as healthcare. The only thing coming close that we do have data for (simply out of ethical reasons) is pets and farm animals, and at least for pets there is some reduction in a few reproductive tract-related cancers (well, duh, what's taken out can't grow a cancer) [1] and higher life expectancy due to less fights. [1] https://www.cats.org.uk/farnham/news/the-importance-of-neutering-your-cat https://www.cats.org.uk/farnham/news/the-importance-of-neute...
qp11 3y ago
Well we need to know what do eunuchs do with the extra 20 years?
- jamiek88 3y ago
  Hatch plots against the emperors children mostly.

lock-the-spock 3y ago

You would likely enjoy the book "Power, Sex, Suicide - Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life" by nick Hall, one of the most insightful books I've read in a while. It is all about the evolutionary history of mitochondria and our complex cells and how it affects our and other animals' lives. I learned something new on every page. Dense but very well written and clear to follow.

pineaux 3y ago
Love this book

deleted 3y ago

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