Original Publication: Guarente L. Mitochondria—A Nexus for Aging, Calorie Restriction, and Sirtuins? Cell. 2008;132(2):171-176. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2008.01.007.

Recent studies of calorie restriction in several organisms demonstrate an increase in mitochondrial activity that is associated with the salutary effects of this dietary restriction regimen. In this Essay, I speculate on how an increase in mitochondrial activity might provide benefit and discuss how diet, mitochondria, and sirtuins might interact in a pathway to slow aging and associated diseases.