EP 1440
1440. 15g Every Morning For Anti-Aging Mitochondria
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Catharine Arnston, founder of ENERGYbits and author of Love Your Health to Bits with Algae, to explore why spirulina and chlorella may be two of the most overlooked tools for mitochondrial health, cellular energy, detoxification, brain function, and longevity. They break down the major biological differences between spirulina and chlorella, why sourcing and processing matter, and how compounds such as phycocyanin and superoxide dismutase may influence oxidative stress, antioxidant defenses, and the electron transport chain. Catharine explains why she uses spirulina primarily for nourishment and mitochondrial support and chlorella for helping remove heavy metals and environmental toxins. The conversation goes deep into ATP production, free radicals, mitochondrial resilience, brain aging, nutrient density, and why Dave believes pushing mitochondrial output without adequate antioxidant protection can backfire. They also discuss methylene blue, MOTS-c, peptides, psychedelics, athletic performance, environmental toxins, sustainable agriculture, and the potential role algae could play in future food production. Catharine, who turns 70 shortly after the recording, also shares why she believes aging does not have to mean accepting declining energy, mental sharpness, or performance. Essential listening for anyone interested in mitochondria, spirulina, chlorella, detoxification, brain health, oxidative stress, biohacking, healthy aging, and longevity.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Could one of the oldest foods on Earth also be one of the most overlooked tools for mitochondrial health, brain function, detoxification, and longevity?
Visit https://energybits.com/ and use code HUMANUPGRADE for 20% off.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Catharine Arnston, founder of ENERGYbits and author of Love Your Health to Bits with Algae, to explore the biology of spirulina and chlorella and why these microscopic organisms have been studied for decades as unusually nutrient-dense foods.
Catharine explains the major differences between spirulina and chlorella, from how they are grown and processed to how she uses them for completely different purposes. Spirulina contains compounds including phycocyanin and superoxide dismutase that Catharine believes can support mitochondrial function, antioxidant defenses, cellular energy, and brain health, while chlorella is used primarily for binding and removing unwanted compounds such as heavy metals. They also discuss why water quality, sourcing, drying temperature, and processing can dramatically change the final product.
The conversation goes deep into mitochondrial biology, including the electron transport chain, ATP production, oxidative stress, free radicals, cytochrome c, superoxide dismutase, and the blue pigment phycocyanin. Dave connects these mechanisms to his own experience rebuilding mitochondrial function and explains why increasing cellular energy without adequate antioxidant defenses may create problems, particularly for people experimenting with advanced longevity interventions such as mitochondrial peptides.
Dave and Catharine also explore methylene blue, psychedelics, exercise, brain aging, environmental toxins, nutrient density, food quality, algae farming, sustainable agriculture, and why maintaining mitochondrial function may become increasingly important with age. Catharine, who turns 70 shortly after the recording, also shares the philosophy behind her first book and her belief that aging does not have to mean accepting declining energy and cognitive function.
This is essential listening for anyone interested in mitochondria, spirulina, chlorella, cellular energy, brain health, detoxification, oxidative stress, longevity, biohacking, nutrient density, methylene blue, peptides, and maintaining performance as you age.
You’ll Learn:
- Why spirulina and chlorella work differently in the body
- How spirulina may support mitochondrial energy and antioxidant defenses
- Why chlorella is commonly used for heavy metal and toxin binding
- What phycocyanin and superoxide dismutase do inside cells
- How oxidative stress can disrupt mitochondrial energy production
- Why Dave cautions against pushing mitochondrial output without adequate cellular protection
- How algae may support brain health, longevity, and performance as you age
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 inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: Catharine Arnston, ENERGYbits, spirulina, chlorella, algae, microalgae, mitochondrial health, mitochondria, cellular energy, ATP production, electron transport chain, oxidative stress, free radicals, superoxide dismutase, SOD, phycocyanin, brain health, detoxification, heavy metals, glyphosate, environmental toxins, methylene blue, MOTS-c, peptides, biohacking, longevity, healthy aging, nutrient density, antioxidant defense, sustainable food
Resources:
- Visit https://energybits.com/and use code HUMANUPGRADEfor 20% off.
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- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/davetube
- My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)
- Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)
“Aging is natural. Declining is not.”
Catharine Arnston
0:00 — Show Open
Dave and Catharine Arnston open with the case for algae as a longevity food and why spirulina and chlorella deserve more attention in conversations about mitochondria, nutrition, and healthy aging.
1:25 — Algae Origins & History
Catharine explains the history of algae as a food source, its early scientific interest, and how chlorella and spirulina became part of research on nutrition, sustainability, and human health.
6:15 — Sourcing Quality Algae
They break down why water quality, growing conditions, drying methods, and processing matter, and why Catharine believes poorly sourced or high-heat processed algae can lose much of its value.
9:15 — Nutrient Density Crisis
Dave and Catharine discuss declining nutrient quality in modern food, the difference between fresh and heavily transported produce, and why Catharine sees algae as a concentrated source of nutrition.
17:15 — Spirulina vs. Chlorella
Catharine explains how spirulina and chlorella differ biologically and functionally, why she uses spirulina more for nourishment and energy, and chlorella more for helping remove unwanted compounds.
22:30 — Algae Industry Applications
They explore how algae could be used beyond supplements, including animal feed, sustainable agriculture, biodegradable materials, packaging, and future food production.
27:45 — Algae in Your Cells
Catharine walks through how nutrients from algae may interact with cells and mitochondria, while Dave connects the discussion to ATP production, electron transport, oxidative stress, and cellular energy.
33:20 — SOD & Brain Health
They discuss superoxide dismutase, free radicals, antioxidant defenses, and why Catharine believes spirulina may be especially relevant for mitochondrial and brain health.
42:00 — Phycocyanin & Cancer
Catharine explains phycocyanin, the blue pigment in spirulina, and discusses its potential role in cellular signaling, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cancer-related research.
52:30 — Aging vs. Declining
Dave and Catharine close on healthy aging, mitochondrial resilience, cognitive performance, and Catharine’s belief that getting older does not have to mean accepting major declines in energy or mental sharpness.
Thank you to our sponsors!
– Butcher Box | Go to ButcherBox.com/HUMANUPGRADE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ground beef for life, or free chicken thigh
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– Kenetik | Instead of pushing your system harder, Kenetik feeds your brain the ketones it craves to fuel calm clarity and steady focus. Go to drinkkenetik.com/DAVE and use code DAVE for a discount.
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