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Fork U with Dr. Terry SimpsonLearn more about what you put in your mouth. Author: Terry Simpson
Fork U(niversity) Not everything you put in your mouth is good for you. Theres a lot of medical information thrown around out there. How are you to know what information you can trust, and whats just plain old quackery? You cant rely on your own google fu. You cant count on quality medical advice from Facebook. You need a doctor in your corner. On each episode of Your Doctors Orders, Dr. Terry Simpson will cut through the clutter and noise that always seems to follow the latest medical news. He has the unique perspective of a surgeon who has spent years doing molecular virology research and as a skeptic with academic credentials. Hell help you develop the critical thinking skills so you can recognize evidence-based medicine, busting myths along the way. The most common medical myths are often disguised as seemingly harmless food as medicine. By offering their own brand of medicine via foods, These hucksters are trying to practice medicine without a license. And though theyll claim nutrition is not taught in medical schools, it turns out thats a myth too. In fact, theres an entire medical subspecialty called Culinary Medicine, and Dr. Simpson is certified as a Culinary Medicine Specialist. Where today's nutritional advice is the realm of hucksters, Dr. Simpson is taking it back to the realm of science. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Mitochondria Matter: The Story of Aging
Episode 103
Wednesday, 19 November, 2025
The Mitochondria Problem: Why These Tiny Powerhouses Shape How We AgeMany people suddenly talk about mitochondria. You hear them in political speeches, on podcasts, and across social media. RFK Jr said he can “see” kids with weak mitochondria just by watching them walk through an airport. Others claim special diets or powders can “fix” aging by supercharging these organelles.However, most of that chatter misses the actual science.This post breaks down what mitochondria do, why they matter for aging, and how you can keep them healthy. No hype. No detox teas. Just biology you can use.What Are Mitochondria?Every cell in your body contains tiny structures called mitochondria. They act like miniature cells living inside your larger cells. Each mitochondrion even has its own DNA.Mitochondria divide independently from your regular cells.They manage your energy, converting glucose to ATPFinally, mitochondria keep your organs working.You inherit all your mitochondria from your mother, which is why scientists use mitochondrial DNA to trace ancestry.How Did We Get Mitochondria? (A Very Old Story)About 1.5 billion years ago, a simple cell swallowed a bacterium and refused to digest it. Instead, they formed a partnership.The bacterium supplied energy.The host cell provided safety.That partnership became the mitochondrion. Every person alive today runs on that ancient deal.What Do Mitochondria Do All Day? Mitochondria take glucose from your food and convert it into ATP — the energy your body uses to move, think, heal, and grow. This process runs every second of your life.You cannot swallow ATP and get more energy. ATP supplements don’t work. Only your mitochondria make the usable fuel your body needs.Why Young Mitochondria Work So WellYoung mitochondria act like teenagers. They run fast, bounce back quickly, and handle stress with ease. Cells constantly recycle old mitochondria through a process called mitophagy. This system works beautifully in childhood.Fresh mitochondria power:strong musclessharp thinkingfast recoveryhealthy metabolismWhen mitophagy runs smoothly, you feel energetic and resilient.What Happens When Mitochondria AgeAging slows everything down. Mitochondria begin to leak more “exhaust,” build up mutations, and lose efficiency. Damaged ones don’t get removed as well, because mitophagy weakens with age.Unfortunately, mitochondria do something worse than slow down:They fuse with healthy mitochondria.Imagine pouring spoiled milk into a fresh gallon. The whole jug goes bad. Aging mitochondria do the same thing inside your cells. They spread dysfunction to the healthy ones.How Aging Mitochondria Cause TroubleAs mitochondria fail, they change how cells function. They send distress signals back to the nucleus that alter gene expression. These messages push cells toward inflammation, stress, and survival pathways that your body normally keeps quiet.Even more concerning, changes in mitochondrial shape — too much splitting (fission) and not enough merging (fusion) — appear in both aging and cancer. These shifts support tumor growth, help cancer cells spread, and make some treatments less effective.Aging mitochondria increase the risk of:brain fogmuscle fatigueslower recoveryheart strainmetabolic slowdowncancer-friendly environmentsMitochondria sit at the center of how we age.Why “Mitochondrial Booster” Supplements...
