As you age, the mitochondrial energy deficits become more pronounced. For example, when aged mitochondria slow down, fat burning metabolism and every protective biochemical process slows down as well. The body is less able to defend against viruses, microbes, toxins, pesticides, pollutants and alcohol to name just a few.
Mitochondria are essential to the regulation of energy production and metabolic rate.
In other words, mitochondrial fatigue reduces the cell's capacity to function. Impaired mitochondrial function can hamper metabolic fat burning, causing fat storage. But high carbohydrate intake can lead to elevated blood sugar and excess insulin. Send the extra fat to the fat cells. To make matters worse, increased fat cell storage and aging can cause cell membranes throughout the body to stray from their zone of optimal fluidity and become more rigid, resembling molasses in winter.