When we look in the mirror, it can be hard to imagine how our cells have anything to do with the image staring back at us. How can something so small, something we can’t even see, influence what we look like or how we feel?

A new study published in Cell Death & Disease provides an intriguing answer to this question. Lead author Bhupendra Singh and colleagues at the University of Alabama at Birmingham uncovered a direct link between the health of our mitochondria and two common and highly visible signs of aging: hair loss and wrinkles.

Which came first, the mitochondrial dysfunction or the age?

Mitochondria aren’t called the “powerhouses of the cell” for nothing. It’s estimated that these islands of power generate 90% of our cellular energy. With lots of help from NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), mitochondria keep our cells operating at their best.

Scientists have noticed that our mitochondria become less efficient as we get older, leading to decreased cellular energy and a host of related problems.

A study published in the journal, Cell, posits declining mitochondrial health as a hallmark of aging. But does aging cause mitochondrial dysfunction or does declining mitochondrial health lead to the physiological changes we associate with aging? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

This chicken-and-egg conundrum inspired Singh and colleagues to dive deeper into this complicated relationship between mitochondrial health and aging.

Gene on, gene off.

The researchers engineered a special mouse to study the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction independently of other age-related processes. By turning a single gene on or off they could directly control the mitochondrial health in young, 8-week-old mice (that’s about 20 years old in people years).

When they turned this gene “on” mitochondria became dysfunctional. When they turned the gene “off” mitochondrial function could be restored.

A few weeks after making mitochondria dysfunctional, the researchers started noticing some striking changes. Visible skin wrinkles appeared. Hair fell out. Males and females even showed different patterns of hair loss, with males showing patchier hair loss than females.

Now here’s where things get really interesting. When the researchers made mitochondria functional again, these changes disappeared.

In just one month, previously wrinkled skin became smoother and thinned out hair regrew. The changes caused by mitochondrial dysfunction could be reversed by simply restoring mitochondrial health.

One step closer to understanding the aging process.

While this study doesn’t mean we suddenly have a solution for male pattern baldness or sun-weathered skin, it does provide interesting new insights about how we age.

First, it establishes a stronger causative link between mitochondrial health and some of the changes we associate with aging. By manipulating mitochondrial health independently of age, this mouse study shows that inducing—and reversing—mitochondrial dysfunction can directly affect visible signs of aging.

Second, this study suggests that supporting the health of our cellular powerhouses may not only prevent outward signs of aging but also has the potential to reverse changes that have already occurred.

We’ll need to see more research, particularly in humans, to be able to put this into practice. But these preliminary results show promise for supporting our health, inside and out, as we age.

Where the research goes from here.

Dr. Keshav Singh, a professor of genetics in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, led the team of scientists working on this study. “To our knowledge, this observation is unprecedented,” he said in a press release.

“Further experiments are required to determine whether phenotypic changes in other organs can also be reversed to wildtype level by restoration of mitochondrial DNA,” Singh said. Meaning that keeping mitochondria healthy could mean good things for the rest of our bodies, too.

Healthy mitochondria = Healthy you.

While we not-so-patiently wait for scientists to figure out the secrets of healthy aging, this study serves as an excellent reminder that, while invisible, our cells—and the mitochondria they contain—are an integral part of our overall health.

Whatever approach we may take, it’s clear that keeping our cells healthy can keep us at our best.

During an era of social isolation, most of us are spending more time in front of screens than ever. What are the effects of prolonged blue light exposure, and how can it impact us on a cellular level? 

Blue light: Natural vs. artificial sources. 

While the majority of American citizens continue to remain at home, many pass the time interacting with technology. But it’s crucial to monitor your screen time. Excessively interacting with screens gives you an unhealthy amount of blue light exposure that could damage your cells. 

Blue light is naturally emitted by the sun, and in healthy doses, exposure to blue light is good for us. 

Basking in this type of high energy contributes to increased alertness, better memory and mood, and improved cognitive function. It also helps regulate our circadian rhythm, keeping our sleep and wakefulness cycle balanced. 

But increasing our exposure by engaging too often with man-made sources of blue light can create a slew of problems, most notably for our eye health.

Blue light overexposure causes retinal and hormonal damage.

Blue light can penetrate through to our retina, the inner lining at the back of our eyes. Too much of it can harm the light-sensitive cells contained inside. If you consistently overexpose yourself to blue light, your eyes will experience some degree of macular degeneration. 

Macular degeneration is a medical term for the deterioration of the central portion of the retina known as the macula. 

The macula allows us to focus our vision, controls our ability to drive and read, and enables us to register faces, colors, and objects in detail. 

When the macula deteriorates to the point of degeneration, it can eventually lead to serious problems like irreversible blindness. And for those who’ve grown accustomed to blue light exposure later at night, the frenzied level of macular activity can cause sleep problems and daytime fatigue.

Multiple studies have surveyed the negative impact of blue light exposure, including an extensive study published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology that confirms blue light’s power to disrupt normal cell activity within the eye, creating vision disorder and damage over time. 

Aside from macular degeneration, many other health impairment issues are linked directly to blue light overexposure. These include the development of cataracts, the inhibition of melatonin secretion, and enhanced adrenocortical hormone production, which destroys hormonal balance and adversely affects sleep quality. 

How much exposure is ‘too much’? 

Though defining the amount of exposure time considered to be excessive is a complex matter still under active study, there are a few telltale signs you can look out for. The most common sign of blue light overexposure is called digital eye strain, which encompasses symptoms like dry, irritated eyes, blurred or double vision, eye twitching, visual fatigue, and headaches.

Minimizing blue light’s impact on our cellular health. 

Because blue light comes in short, high energy wavelengths, it scatters more easily and is more difficult to focus on than other forms of light. The eye generally perceives blue light emitted by technological screens as a kind of confusing visual ‘noise’ that reduces contrast, leading over time to continual strain. 

Minimizing screen time is our best shot at preserving our eyes. However, it’s important to be conscientious of our cellular health as well when we think about our well-being. After all, the damage from blue light exposure occurs on the cellular level.

Paying attention to cellular care.

Our cellular health serves as the foundation of our body. It’s easy to forget that our actions affect us even on a microscopic scale. If you haven’t done so already, commit to a cellular care routine consisting of quality cellular nutrients to provide yourself with a more holistic approach to good health. 

Specific micronutrients like lutein, an antioxidant present in green leafy vegetables and found in high concentrations in the retina and macula, are excellent for eye care. However, more encompassing nutrients, like mitochondrial supplements are also important as they support a pivotal organelle found in all of your cells: the mitochondria. Complex organs like the eye have thousands of mitochondria, all requiring proper nourishment to keep your eyes functioning properly.

By Dr. Alyssa Dweck, practicing gynecologist and ChromaDex spokesperson.

While the world must hunker down at home during this unprecedented time, it’s easy to fall out of our comfort zones... and fall out of our routines. Here are a few tips to help take care of yourself and your loved ones. Remember.. we are all in this together and we must try to remain healthy and hopeful.

1. Follow the advice of trusted medical professionals.

In the midst of emergencies and periods of social distancing, panic can feel instinctual. Rest assured, if you follow the given instructions of public health officials, you will put yourself and your loved ones in the best position to stay healthy. Doctors and the CDC advise staying home, frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and distancing yourself in public by at least 6 feet from others when possible. You can make additional efforts to sanitize your workstation, phones, and other frequently touched devices to kill germs. You’ll also want to moisturize to prevent cracks in dry hands.

2. Get some rest and relaxation time.

Your body’s lines of defense operate best when backed by a good night’s sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep. Use the hour before bed to put your phone away and delve into a good book. Overuse of devices can negatively impact sleep patterns and make it difficult to shut down for the night. Moderate or avoid alcohol intake as it often disrupts sleep. Working remotely from home has unique advantages… comfy clothes and flexible hours; consider a random power nap.

3. Focus on nutrition.

Nutrition is key for optimum health, especially when trying to avoid illness. When groceries are a hot commodity and nerves are on edge, shoppers often forgo vegetables in favor of comfort foods like carbs, sugary treats snacks and salty snacks. Fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors and sorts are high in vitamins and minerals and are rich in antioxidants which optimize your natural immunity.

4. Nourish your mind.

Long stretches of downtime can lead to feelings of restlessness, isolation and even depression and anxiety. While homebound, take an opportunity to deep-dive into your passions that you may not have had time for. Get creative and take paint to a canvas. Fire up the stove and try a new recipe. Try working out to an at-home fitness video through your streaming service. Try meditation, yoga or mindfulness. Exploring new hobbies and establishing a new routine can both help time pass and be productive.

Do you have any social distancing tips to share? Chime in on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

ALYSSA DWECK, MS, MD, FACOG is a practicing gynecologist and ChromaDex spokesperson in Westchester County, New York, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Medical College. As an author of three books, a Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Memorial OB/GYN Service consultant, and accomplished triathlete, Dr. Dweck offers her expertise across various platforms in an effort to destigmatize gynecologic issues and support women’s health across the country. She resides in Westchester County with her husband, their two sons, and their extraordinarily girly English bulldog.