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YOUR DOCTOR KLOVER's avatar

This is a really compelling overview, especially because it focuses on mitochondrial structure/function rather than vague “antioxidant” claims. Clinically, SS-31 / elamipretide is interesting precisely because it targets cardiolipin-rich inner mitochondrial membranes, helping stabilize electron transport and reduce maladaptive oxidative signaling at the source, not just mop up ROS downstream. 

What I appreciate most is the translational framing: mitochondrial dysfunction shows up across heart, skeletal muscle, neurodegeneration, and aging-related syndromes, and cardiolipin biology is a plausible leverage point for improving cellular energetics and resilience. 

At the same time, it’s important to keep the clinical bar clear: while early human studies in mitochondrial disease populations have reported signals like improved exercise performance, SS-31 remains an investigational therapeutic, so dosing, long-term safety, and “who benefits most” still require rigorous trials.

Peptide Partners's avatar

Great points. When researching how people are self-experimenting with this, I came across an enormous variation of protocols, with several orders of magnitude differences in dosage, frequency, and duration.

Aggie Hewitt, MD, MSc's avatar

Great article. But the peptides, the supplements, the NIR light, the strategies: of what consequence when we know that nanoplastics are lodged in mitochondrial cardiolipin layer, in the oxidative phosphorylation process, these plastics are absorbed by endocytosis into mitochondria. They do not conduct electricity. It seems to me that we have to work on detoxing the body from plastics before the full effect of the healing of dysfunctional mitochondria, which I believe is far more common than we know, this for me is an important step and why I continue the research

Peptide Partners's avatar

I agree that this is worth considering. The literature on nanoplastics seems small currently, but it is consistently growing and it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. Are there methods of removing nanoplastics at this time?

Aggie Hewitt, MD, MSc's avatar

Absolutely. I posted in previous. I have written the most comprehensive chapter On micro plastics and human health That will come out in the new seminal Integrative medicine textbook In spring and will be released globally.

Zak David's avatar

Looking forward to it! Any chance you're going to the April conference in West Palm?

Aggie Hewitt, MD, MSc's avatar

Not this year. Sorry to miss it. Keep us informed!

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Dec 29
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Zak David's avatar

Is that an open question or is anyone getting towards an answer?