In this Live Longer World episode, host Aastha S. interviews Tom Benson, CEO of Mitrix Bio, on the frontier of mitochondrial transplantation. They discuss how rejuvenating the body’s “power plants” could extend healthspan, treat disease, and possibly push human longevity beyond current limits.

Key Points:

This episode explores how mitochondrial transplantation could revolutionize aging and medicine by restoring cellular energy. Tom Benson outlines the science, challenges, and potential to extend both healthspan and lifespan.

• What Mitrix Bio Does: The company develops bioreactor-grown mitochondria, extracted from stem cells and transplanted back into the body in large amounts — a therapy Benson likens to a “super-powered stem cell treatment.”
• Energy vs. Information Theories of Aging: Aging may stem from both DNA information loss and mitochondrial energy decline. Benson emphasizes the “energy theory,” where dwindling mitochondria limit the body’s ability to sustain itself.
• Why Mitochondria Matter: These tiny organelles generate cellular energy, making up ~10% of body weight. Their decline explains muscle loss, frailty, and age-related diseases like heart disease.
• Mitochondrial Transplantation in Practice: Injected mitochondria are rapidly absorbed by cells and shown in animal studies to boost energy output, improve cognition, strengthen immunity, and increase resilience to disease.
• Children & Disease Applications: Beyond aging, mitochondrial therapy could help kids with primary mitochondrial disease, where defective mitochondria cause severe early health decline.
• Lifestyle & Stress Links: Stress, smoking, chemotherapy, and radiation damage mitochondrial DNA, while fasting, heat/cold exposure, and sunlight can stimulate mitochondrial renewal.
• Future Outlook: Mitrix Bio is preparing first-in-human safety trials, starting with elderly volunteers. The vision is to enable lifespans of 120+ years, with mitochondrial medicine also offering promise for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke recovery, and cancer therapy support.