Effects of nutrients and diet on mitochondrial dysfunction: An opportunity for therapeutic approaches in human disease.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in multiple cellular processes beyond the regulation of bioenergetics. These processes range from apoptosis to intracellular signaling. Accordingly, mitochondrial dysfunction has been broadly described in the etiopathology of multiple human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and all the main neurodegenerative disorders. Therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating this dysfunction are promising for preventing and/or delaying the development of these pathologies. Recent research has highlighted the potential of dietary interventions to modulate mitochondrial physiology. In this text, we critically review the scientific literature available regarding the effects of different dietary interventions (such as caloric restriction, ketogenic diets, increased omega-3 fatty acid consumption, etc.) on some key components of mitochondrial physiology. Despite the significant advancements in the field that we present in this review, critical gaps remain regarding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the effects of these dietary interventions on mitochondrial physiology, especially under pathological conditions. Future research in this field could underscore these mechanisms, paving the road for the use of dietary interventions against mitochondrial dysfunction as valid pharmacological strategies in human disease.