CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
The Force: The Origins and Evolution of Mitochondria in Human Physiology 1
Let’s Review Some Cell Biology 6Te Evolution o the Eukaryotic Cell 9Mitochondria: Tey Are the Force 12Te Basics o Mitochondria 15Te Basics o Cellular Respiration and Oxidative Phosphorylation 17A Game o Hot Potato: Te Electron ransport Chain (EC) 19AP Synthase: Coupling the EC with Oxidative Phosphorylation 26Mitochondrial DNA: A Curious Relic o Ancient History 28A Radical Signal: Te Positive Side o Free Radicals 34Mitochondrial Mutations: Te Beginning o the End 37Discarded Teories o Aging 43Te Mitochondrial Teory o Aging 47Extending Maximum Lie Span in Mammals 53Degenerative Diseases and the Eventual End 54It’s Getting Hot in Here: Uncoupling the Proton Gradient 57
CHAPTER TWO
The Dark Side of the Force: Health Conditions Linked to Mitochondrial Dysfunction 63
A Review o Bioenergetics 64Food and Oxygen: Te Ingredients or Producing Energy 66AP Production and urnover 68
 
Te Role o Mitochondria in Cardiovascular Disease 71Te Role o Mitochondria in the Nervous System, Brain, and Cognitive Health 75Mitochondrial Involvement in Neurodegeneration 78Depression 85Attention-Defcit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Pay Attention to the Mitochondria 86Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Fibromyalgia 89ype 2 Diabetes 90Mitochondrial Diabetes 94Medication-Induced Mitochondrial Damage and Disease 94Mitochondrial Disease 98When Mitochondrial Disease Is the Primary Disease 105reating Mitochondrial Disease 107Age-Related Hearing Loss 110Mitochondria, Aging Skin, and Wrinkles 111Inertility and Mitochondria 113Eye-Related Diseases 117Stem Cells Require Healthy Mitochondria 119Cancers: Understanding the Causes Brings Us One Step Closer to Cures 120Aging as a Disease 123
CHAPTER THREE
Nurturing the Force: Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors to Improve Mitochondrial Health 127
How Do the Birds Do It? 127D-Ribose 132Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) 139Coenzyme Q10 144L-Carnitine 153Magnesium 157Alpha-Lipoic Acid 159Creatine 161
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