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A conversation about longevity, oxidative stress, and cellular resilience
In this episode of the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast, I had a fascinating and unexpected conversation with my guest, Chris Burres — a scientist, entrepreneur, and yes, a stand-up comedian. Chris brings a rare combination of deep scientific knowledge and the ability to explain complex concepts in a way that actually makes sense.
What we focused on in this episode is something that sits at the very foundation of aging and health: mitochondria.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell,” this episode explains why that matters so much, especially as we age and especially for women concerned about bone loss, muscle strength, balance, and longevity.
A Nobel Prize Discovery That Changed Everything
Chris shared the story of a molecule known as ESS60 — a spherical carbon molecule discovered in 1985 that later earned a Nobel Prize. What made this discovery remarkable wasn’t just its industrial uses, but what happened when it was tested in animals.
In a peer-reviewed longevity study, rats given this molecule lived 90% longer than the control group — the longest lifespan extension ever documented in mammals. What’s important here is not just the number, but why that happened.
The research points directly to how this molecule interacts with oxidative stress and inflammation, two processes deeply tied to aging and disease.
Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and the Aging Process
Aging is not just about time passing — it’s about accumulated cellular damage. Inside our cells, mitochondria produce energy, but they also create byproducts called reactive oxygen species (often called free radicals). When these overwhelm the body’s natural antioxidant systems, oxidative stress increases.
This oxidative stress damages tissues, disrupts signaling, fuels inflammation, and contributes to accelerated aging — including bone loss.
For women over 50, this matters deeply. Bone loss, muscle weakness, balance issues, and slower recovery are not isolated problems. They are often reflections of cellular stress and reduced resilience.
Why Mitochondrial Health Is Central to Bone Health
Mitochondria are everywhere — in muscles, nerves, and especially the nervous system, which plays a huge role in balance and fall prevention. When mitochondria are stressed, cells become less efficient, recovery slows, and inflammation rises.
Chris explained how ESS60 works as a selective antioxidant, helping buffer excess oxidative stress without shutting down important signaling pathways. This is a key distinction, because not all antioxidants behave the same way in the body.
Better mitochondrial function supports:
- Energy and mental clarity
- Muscle recovery and resilience
- Nervous system function and balance
- Healthy inflammatory responses
- Long-term cellular integrity
All of these are essential for protecting bones as we age.
What This Means for Women Focused on Healthy Aging
One thing I emphasize constantly is that bone loss does not happen in isolation. It is connected to stress, inflammation, detoxification, movement quality, and cellular health.
Supporting mitochondria is not about chasing youth — it’s about preserving function:
- Staying strong without injury
- Recovering better from movement
- Maintaining balance and coordination
- Reducing the silent wear-and-tear that accelerates aging
This conversation reinforced something I already believe deeply: longevity is not about one supplement, one exercise, or one strategy. It’s about creating an internal environment where the body can adapt, repair, and thrive.
My Takeaway
Healthy aging starts at the cellular level. When we reduce oxidative stress and support mitochondrial function, we give our bodies a better chance to remain strong, resilient, and balanced — inside and out.
This episode is not about hype. It’s about understanding why our bodies change with age and how we can intelligently support them — especially when it comes to protecting our bones and our independence.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Oxalates, also known as oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, vegetables, and fruits. They are part of a plant’s defense mechanism against predators and can be found in high concentrations in foods like spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, and certain beans.
Regarding bone health, oxalates can bind to minerals such as calcium in the gut, forming calcium oxalate. This compound is not easily absorbed by the body, meaning the calcium that could have been utilized for bone strengthening is instead excreted. This process can potentially lead to lower calcium availability for bone health, which can be particularly concerning for individuals at risk of osteoporosis or other bone-related issues.
However, for most women, dietary oxalates do not pose a significant threat to bone health, especially if their diet is balanced with enough calcium and they do not have a history of kidney stones.
Your gut is crucial for stronger bones for several reasons:
- Nutrient Absorption: The gut is where most nutrient absorption occurs. For bones to be healthy and strong, they need a variety of nutrients, particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. A healthy gut efficiently absorbs these essential nutrients from your diet and facilitates their transportation to the bones.
- Gut Microbiome and Bone Health: Research has shown that the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in your intestines) can influence bone density. Certain gut bacteria help in producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have been shown to promote bone health. SCFAs can enhance the absorption of minerals necessary for bone strength and play a role in reducing inflammation, which can negatively affect bone health.
- Hormone Regulation: The gut helps regulate hormones that are involved in bone metabolism, including insulin, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones like estrogen. For example, estrogen is vital for bone density, and gut health can influence estrogen levels through the enterohepatic circulation, where estrogens are processed in the liver and intestines.
- Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, which can stem from poor gut health, is linked to many conditions that compromise bone strength, such as osteoporosis. A healthy gut helps to reduce systemic inflammation, protecting bones from inflammatory damage.
- Immune System Modulation: The majority of the immune system is located in the gut. An imbalance in the immune system can lead to autoimmune conditions, some of which affect the bones. Maintaining gut health helps to ensure the immune system works correctly, protecting against autoimmune reactions that could impact bone health.
In essence, maintaining a healthy gut contributes significantly to stronger bones by ensuring the effective absorption of vital nutrients, regulating hormones, reducing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune system. Therefore, a diet rich in bone-healthy nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics, along with lifestyle factors that promote gut health, is key to maintaining strong bones.