Your mitochondria are the power plants of your cells, and when they break down, you lose energy, brain sharpness, and resilience against aging. In this episode, you’ll learn how to hack your mitochondria to supercharge human performance, prevent decline, and extend longevity with tools that are natural, effective, and backed by decades of research.
Listen to the FULL-LENGTH version of this episode on your favorite audio platform:
-Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-human-upgrade-biohacking-for-longevity-performance/id451295014
-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mkB9OoukPVKCTKSuAIgCq
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Catherine Arnston, founder of ENERGYbits, recent PhD graduate, and one of the world’s top experts on algae and functional medicine. Entering her 70th year without medications, with the cognition to finish a doctorate, and the health markers of someone decades younger, Catherine is living proof of how mitochondria and nutrition shape aging, brain optimization, and resilience.
Together they break down why mitochondria fail after age 30, how algae works as a master supplement to restore superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione, and what happens when you give your cells the nutrients they’re wired to need. They uncover how mitochondria connect to energy, inflammation, metabolism, and cellular resilience. This is a masterclass in hacking energy and longevity, built for people who want to upgrade every system of the body and mind.
You’ll learn:
• Why mitochondria decline after age 30 and how to stop it
• The role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione in preventing cellular “rust”
• How spirulina and chlorella outperform most supplements for detox and energy
• The connection between mitochondria and brain optimization
• Why men’s higher iron levels accelerate aging and how algae helps balance it
• How to build a mitochondria-first biohacking stack that actually works
This is essential listening for fans of biohacking, hacking human performance, functional medicine, and longevity who want actionable tools from Host Dave Asprey and a guest who embodies what it means to age with energy, clarity, and vitality.
Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (audio-only), and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: Catherine Arnston, mitochondria, biohacking, algae supplements, spirulina, chlorella, superoxide dismutase, SOD, glutathione, metabolism, longevity, human performance, brain optimization, functional medicine, supplements, neuroplasticity, nootropics, ketosis, fasting, cold therapy, sleep optimization, carnivore, Danger Coffee, Smarter Not Harder, Dave Asprey, Human Upgrade podcast
**CTA: Go to www.energybits.com and use code ‘BEYOND’ for a 20% discount**
Timestamps:
00:00 — Trailer
01:22 — Intro
03:09 — Mitochondria Basics
05:28 — Free Radicals & Antioxidants
09:52 — Why Aging Accelerates
12:13 — Algae & Longevity
14:26 — Electron Transport Chain
18:15 — Stem Cells & Repair
21:15 — SOD, Glutathione & Manganese
29:22 — Spirulina vs. Chlorella
38:19 — Diet & Supplement Tips
41:06 — Final Takeaways
Connect with Dave Asprey!
Website: https://daveasprey.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/
X: https://x.com/daveasprey
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybpr
The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/
Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/DAVE15
Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com/
Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
Dave’s favorite supplements: https://www.shopsuppgradelabs.com/discount/DAVE15
Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
