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“Even if (like me) you haven't thought about mitochondria since high school biology, if you're interested in how your body works and how to stay healthy, this fascinating and accessible book is for you. In recent years scientists have shown that these tiny cellular engines play a big role in maintaining good health, raising the prospect of new mitochondria-targeting treatments for illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Until they arrive, The Life Machines can help you keep your mitochondria happy, and keep yourself healthy.”

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less

"The emerging field of mitochondrial medicine holds enormous potential to improve human health, enhance longevity, and transform the treatment of age-related diseases. The involvement of mitochondria in health and disease and the future of targeting them is beautifully illustrated in this book." 

Nir Barzilai, MD, author of Age Later and President of the Academy for Health & Lifespan Research

"In The Life Machines, Daria Mochly-Rosen and Emanuel Rosen offer a compelling, accessible journey into the world of mitochondria and their critical role in health and disease. As someone who lost a child to mitochondrial disease and has spent decades advocating on behalf of such patients, I applaud the authors for illuminating how mitochondrial dysfunction underlies both common illnesses, rare inherited disorders, and even the aging process itself. Their work powerfully bridges scientific insight with public understanding—an essential step toward better awareness, research, and hope for affected families."

Philip Yeske, PhD, Science & Alliance Officer, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

About

Have you ever wondered what makes every heartbeat, every thought, and every movement possible? Meet your mitochondria—orchestrators of critical functions that keep you healthy and alive. They are commonly known as the “powerhouses of the cell,” but new research shows that the mitochondria do more than just transfer energy from the food we eat. These dynamic organelles may hold the keys to long-term health—and the future of medicine. This groundbreaking book by a leading scientist from Stanford University School of Medicine, Daria Mochly-Rosen, and her husband, Emanuel Rosen, a bestselling author, is the first to provide a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand look at mitochondria and their vital role in human health, answering questions such as:

  • What effect does exercise have on mitochondria?

  • How can better sleep and less stress boost mitochondrial and brain health?

  • What nutrients do mitochondria need to thrive, and how is your gut microbiome involved?

  • How can you protect your mitochondria from environmental toxins?

  • Why are mitochondria the key to healthy aging? 

We are only as healthy as our mitochondria. Damaged organelles have been linked to diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and more. Now, Daria Mochly-Rosen and Emanuel Rosen explain how we can use science’s new understanding of mitochondria to improve our own health.

Improve your health and well-being by understanding what mitochondria really do for you and how small lifestyle changes can help these awe-inspiring organelles transform your life.

Authors

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Hagop's Photography

Daria Mochly-Rosen 

Daria Mochly-Rosen is the George D. Smith professor for translational medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. She’s passionate about translating scientific discoveries into treatments and demystifying science to help people make educated health decisions. Based on her discoveries, Daria has founded three biotech companies. She has also founded SPARK, a program that focuses on translating scientific innovations to benefit patients. Following the success of the program at Stanford, leading to the formation of over fifty biopharma companies, SPARK now operates in dozens of universities around the world. Daria and Emanuel Rosen are married, live in Menlo Park, California, and have four adult children and three grandchildren.

Emanuel Rosen

Emanuel Rosen is a bestselling author whose books have been translated into thirteen languages. Throughout his writing career, he’s been focusing on simplifying complex concepts by using plain language and storytelling. He’s the author of the national bestseller The Anatomy of Buzz, and the award-winning Absolute Value (with Stanford professor Itamar Simonson). Emanuel was previously vice president of marketing at Niles Software, where he launched the company’s flagship product, EndNote. He’s presented his work in numerous forums, including at companies such as Google, Intel, and Nike. Emanuel and Daria Mochly-Rosen are married, live in Menlo Park, California, and have four adult children and three grandchildren.

Hagop's Photography

Reviews

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THE LIFE 
MACHINES

How Taking Care of Your Mitochondria Can Transform Your Health

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