In the newly published study “Childhood adverse life events and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function” [1], researchers could show how adverse events in childhood affect muscle function in later life.
Using data from the “Muscle, Mobility and Aging” study, 879 people over the age of 70 were tested for ATP production in their muscle cells. ATP is the energy that muscles use to work. It is produced by the mitochondria in each cell. Mitochondria can sense social stress and respond at the cellular level: these bacterial-derived organelles are known to change their function and shape when cells are threatened by physical or social attacks, resulting in extracellular ATP and reactive oxygen species – so-called free radicals. This reduces the working energy of cells and promotes inflammation and tissue aging. [2] [3]
