The Life Machines: How Taking Care of Your Mitochondria Can Transform Your Health

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 husband, a bestselling author, is the first to provide a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand look at mitochondria and their vital role in human health. It is based on the premise that healthy mitochondria are the key to healthy cells and, thus, to healthy tissues, healthy organs, and a healthy body. 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 developing better sleeping habits improve your mitochondrial health? -Why relaxing and managing stress will reduce damage to your mitochondria? -How can you protect your mitochondria from toxins in the environment? -Why mitochondria are the key to healthy aging We are only as healthy as our mitochondria. Dysfunction of these 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. Now, the remarkable progress in understanding the mitochondrial role in these ailments will shape the future of medicine. Packed with surprising facts, you’ll read about “mitochondrial Eve” who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago; tiny rotors that spin inside your body at fantastic speed; how cancer cells steal mitochondria from immune cells; how mitochondria help shape a baby’s fingers and brain; how mitochondria in your thighs are linked to your cognitive capacity, and more. 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.

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio (Audiobook): 9781668109311

Release date

Audiobook: 14 October 2025