“This delightful, enthusiastic book will change your life.” —Daniel E. Lieberman, author of Exercised


Improve your lifelong health and well-being by understanding what mitochondria really do for you, and how through small lifestyle changes, these awe-inspiring powerhouses can better your life.

Have you ever wondered what makes every heartbeat, every thought, and every movement possible? Meet your mitochondria—tiny but mighty organelles that are the true engines of life. These organelles are popularly known as the “powerhouses of the cell,” but new research shows that the mitochondria do more than just convert food into energy—they’re orchestrators of critical functions that keep you healthy and alive.

This groundbreaking book by a leading scientist from Stanford University School of Medicine and her bestselling author husband, is the first to provide a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand look at mitochondria and their vital role in human health. Dysfunction of the organelles has been linked to diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, depression, autism spectrum disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and infertility. The Life Machines provides practical and fundamental principles that you can use to unlock your body’s full potential, answering questions like:

-How does exercise help mitochondria improve your muscles and your brain?
-What nutrients do mitochondria thrive on, and how is your gut microbiome involved?
-How can better sleeping habits improve your mitochondrial health?
-Why relaxing and managing stress will reduce damage to your mitochondria?

-Why protecting your mitochondria is key to healthy aging?

Skillfully weaving cutting-edge scientific discoveries, expert testimonies, personal stories, and practical insights, The Life Machines is inspiring and hopeful, empowering you to adopt lifestyle changes that will benefit the smallest—and yet most crucial—parts of the human body.