Dr. Jeffrey Gladden explains how mitochondrial dysfunction underlies aging and disease. The mitochondrion's folded inner membranes create an electron gradient that powers cellular energy production. When this membrane structure breaks down, the whole system fails, which is why mitochondrial health determines how long you live.
So one of the first things, when you look at a lot of disease states or even aging states, one of the things that happens inside the mitochondria is the whole membrane of the mitochondria is disrupted. So mitochondria is this very cool structure inside. It looks like a little flower. You guys have seen pictures of it. And that allows these electron gradient to occur. So we basically get these electrons that collect in these little folds and then we create what's great, what's called proton motive force. And that's what makes energy.
