Impact of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements on mitochondria modifications in healthy aging: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

This systematic review examined the influence of various dietary supplements on mitochondrial modifications in healthy older adults. Four major databases were searched up to February 2022, yielding 6 eligible randomized controlled trials involving 201 participants (mean age range: 67.0 ± 1.0 to 76.0 ± 5.6 years). The supplements evaluated included sodium nitrite, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, hydrogen-rich water, nicotinamide riboside, urolithin A, and whey protein. Across these interventions, favorable changes were observed in mitochondrial oxidative and antioxidant capacity, organelle volume, bioenergetic function, and transcriptomic profiles. All included studies were rated as good quality on the Jadad scale. The authors note that the limited number of available studies restricts firm conclusions, and further research is warranted to clarify the complex interactions among nutraceuticals, mitochondria, and environmental stressors in aging populations.

Mechanism

Various nutraceuticals, including hydrogen-rich water, were found to modulate mitochondrial oxidative and antioxidant capacity, organelle volume, bioenergetic function, and transcriptomic profiles through multilevel interactions with the mitochondrial network.