In a recent study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania it was found that damage in the mitochondria may affect the aging process.
Mitochondria are sometimes called the “powerhouses” of the cell. A chemical reaction called oxidation takes place in all cells and this is how cells use oxygen to break down food to get their energy.
Mitochondria also have their own DNA. In this study the researchers believe that some mitochondria have defective or mutant DNA and that this may be a contributing factor to many diseases. The scientists also found that mice that were bred to have defective mitochondria exhibited signs of premature aging.
You can read the article for more details. The exciting message from this research is that scientists are finding important clues that may help us understand more about the diseases that occur as we age.