# Michael Ristow

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German medical researcher (born 1967)

Michael Ristow Born (1967-04-24) April 24, 1967 (age 59) Lübeck, Germany Alma mater Ruhr University Bochum, Germany Known for mitohormesis, antioxidant, mitochondrial metabolism, aging, nutrition Scientific career Fields Biochemistry, Medicine Institutions Charité, Berlin, Germany ETH Zurich, Switzerland University of Jena, Germany Harvard University, Cambridge Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston University of Cologne, Germany

**Michael Ristow** (b April 24, 1967) is a German [medical researcher](/source/Medical_research) who has published influential articles on [biochemical](/source/Biochemistry) aspects of [mitochondrial](/source/Mitochondria) [metabolism](/source/Metabolism) and particularly the possibly health-promoting role of [reactive oxygen species](/source/Reactive_oxygen_species) in diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer, as well as general [aging](/source/Aging) due to a process called [mitohormesis](/source/Hormesis#Mitohormesis).

Ristow was born in [Lübeck](/source/L%C3%BCbeck) in the North of [Germany](/source/Germany). He graduated at the [University of Bochum](/source/University_of_Bochum) in 1992 and received his M.D. from [University of Bochum](/source/University_of_Bochum) in 1996. He was appointed to the [University of Jena](/source/University_of_Jena) in 2005 as a full [professor](/source/Professor) in [nutritional science](/source/Nutritional_science), as a full [professor](/source/Professor) in [energy metabolism](/source/Energy_metabolism) at the [ETH Zurich](/source/ETH_Zurich) in 2013, and a full [professor](/source/Professor) in Experimental [Endocrinology](/source/Endocrinology) and [Diabetology](/source/Diabetology) at [Charité](/source/Charit%C3%A9) Berlin in 2023, also as the director of the Institute of Experimental Endocrinology.[1]

In 2007, Ristow’s group published evidence which could explain the basis of the observed extension of lifespan by restriction of sugar intake. In experiments on a model organism, the worm [Caenorhabditis elegans](/source/Caenorhabditis_elegans), they found that lowering the availability of [glucose](/source/Glucose) extended the lifespan of the worms. It has been known since the 1930s that restricting calories while maintaining adequate amounts of other nutrients extends lifespan across a broad range of organisms. The mechanism has been proposed as a change in the activity of the [sirtuins](/source/Sirtuins). Michael Ristow shows in his article that this effect can also occur independent of sirtuins, since worms deficient for sirtuins still show extended life span in states of sugar restriction.[2][3][4]

Most importantly, Ristow's research suggests that this is a [mitohormetic](/source/Hormesis#Mitochondria) effect, as reviewed in.[5] [Hormesis](/source/Hormesis) is a controversial concept in which it has been demonstrated that the induction of low-level stress can promote health and lengthen lifespan in some species, while higher levels of the same stress exert detrimental effects. Ristow's interpretation was that in response to a decrease in [glycolytic](/source/Glycolysis) energy production, the worms have to generate [ATP](/source/Adenosine_triphosphate) by [oxidative phosphorylation](/source/Oxidative_phosphorylation) in the mitochondria, leading to increased production of [reactive oxygen species](/source/Reactive_oxygen_species). Due to a vaccination-like response, the organism produces more defenses against [oxidative stress](/source/Oxidative_stress), including increased activity of [catalase](/source/Catalase). Supplementation with [antioxidants](/source/Antioxidants) abolishes the increase in lifespan, and so does disruption of an [AMP-kinase](/source/AMP-activated_protein_kinase) but not disruption of [sirtuins](/source/Sirtuins).[2]

In a follow-up study that experienced significant media attention,[6][7][8] Ristow and colleagues have shown that supplementing humans with antioxidants during physical exercise blocks the health-promoting effects of exercise, suggesting that free radicals produced during exercise are responsible and required for the effects of exercise.[9]

These findings bring into question [Denham Harman](/source/Denham_Harman)'s [free radical theory](/source/Free_radical_theory) of [aging](/source/Aging), and provide a mechanistic basis to question the application of [antioxidants](/source/Antioxidants) to human health.[10][11][12]

Subsequently Ristow demonstrated that the widely used supplement [glucosamine](/source/Glucosamine) promotes longevity of *Caenorhabditis elegans* and elderly mice.[13] Independently, it was shown that regular intake of glucosamine is associated with a remarkable reduction in mortality in humans, suggesting that glucosamine supplementation may be useful to promote human healthspan.[14]

In earlier years, Ristow published a seminal article describing a genetic mutation associated with extreme human obesity.[15]

Ristow’s laboratory has provided direct evidence supporting the so-called [Warburg hypothesis](/source/Warburg_hypothesis). Specifically Ristow has shown that forced metabolic activity and [respiration](/source/Respiration_(physiology)) of [mitochondria](/source/Mitochondria) efficiently blocks cancer growth[16][17] as anticipated by [Otto Heinrich Warburg](/source/Otto_Heinrich_Warburg) as early as in 1924.

Independent of his work on oxidative stress, Ristow has recently shown that increased concentrations of the [trace metal](/source/Trace_metal) [Lithium](/source/Lithium) contained in drinking water are associated with increased lifespan in Japan suggesting a readily available [anti-aging](/source/Anti-aging) intervention.[18]

## See also

- [Aging](/source/Aging)

- [Antioxidant](/source/Antioxidant)

- [Mitochondrial hormesis](/source/Hormesis#Mitochondria)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [New institution's announcement of Ristow joining](https://www.charite.de/en/service/press_reports/artikel/detail/metabolism_expert_joins_charite_to_advance_understanding_of_age_related_diseases)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-glucose_restriction_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-glucose_restriction_2-1) Schulz TJ, Zarse K, Voigt A, Urban N, Birringer M, Ristow M (2007). ["Glucose restriction extends Caenorhabditis elegans life span by inducing mitochondrial respiration and increasing oxidative stress"](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cmet.2007.08.011). *Cell Metabolism*. **6** (4): 280–93. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cmet.2007.08.011](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cmet.2007.08.011). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [17908557](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17908557).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Reuters" article on Ristow’s findings on the positive role of oxidative stress](https://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSL0244996420071002)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Eurekalert" article on Ristow’s findings on the positive role of oxidative stress](http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/cp-asm092607.php)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Michael Ristow; Sebastian Schmeisser (2011). ["Extending lifespan by increasing oxidative stress"](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.freeradbiomed.2011.05.010). *Free Radical Biology and Medicine*. **51** (2): 327–336. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.05.010](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.freeradbiomed.2011.05.010). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [21619928](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21619928).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Antioxidants & exercise: New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/health/research/12exer.html?ref=research)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Antioxidants & exercise: BBC](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8043456.stm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Antioxidants & exercise: Scientific American](http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=vitamins-block-some-exercise-benefi-09-05-12)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Michael Ristow, Kim Zarse, ... ,Matthias Blüher (2009). ["Antioxidants prevent health-promoting effects of physical exercise in humans"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2680430). *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A*. **106** (5): 8865–8870. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2009PNAS..106.8665R](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009PNAS..106.8665R). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1073/pnas.0903485106](https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.0903485106). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [2680430](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2680430). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [19433800](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19433800).{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C (2007). "Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis". *JAMA*. **297** (8): 842–57. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1001/jama.297.8.842](https://doi.org/10.1001%2Fjama.297.8.842). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [17327526](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17327526).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Ristow M (2014). "Unraveling the truth about antioxidants: mitohormesis explains ROS-induced health benefits". *Nature Medicine*. **20** (7): 709–11. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/nm.3624](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnm.3624). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [24999941](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24999941). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [32448892](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:32448892).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ristow, M. .; Zarse, K. . (2010). "How increased oxidative stress promotes longevity and metabolic health: the concept of mitochondrial hormesis (mitohormesis)". *Experimental Gerontology*. **45** (6): 410–418. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.exger.2010.03.014](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.exger.2010.03.014). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [20350594](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20350594). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [207727334](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:207727334).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Weimer S; et al. (2013). ["D-Glucosamine supplementation extends life span of nematodes and of ageing mice"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988823). *[Nature Communications](/source/Nature_Communications)*. **8**: 3563. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/ncomms4563](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fncomms4563). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3988823](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988823). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [24714520](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24714520).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Bell G. A.; et al. (2012). ["Use of glucosamine and chondroitin in relation to mortality"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3557824). *European Journal of Epidemiology*. **27** (8): 593–603. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s10654-012-9714-6](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10654-012-9714-6). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3557824](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3557824). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [22828954](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22828954).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Ristow, Michael; Müller-Wieland, Dirk; Pfeiffer, Andreas; Krone, Wilhelm; Kahn, C. Ronald (October 1, 1998). ["Obesity Associated with a Mutation in a Genetic Regulator of Adipocyte Differentiation"](https://doi.org/10.1056%2FNEJM199810013391403). *The New England Journal of Medicine*. **339** (14): 953–959. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1056/NEJM199810013391403](https://doi.org/10.1056%2FNEJM199810013391403). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [9753710](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9753710).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Tim J. Schulz; Rene Thierbach; Anja Voigt; Gunnar Drewes; Brun Mietzner; Pablo Steinberg; Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer; Michael Ristow (2006). ["Induction of Oxidative Metabolism by Mitochondrial Frataxin Inhibits Cancer Growth: Otto Warburg Revisited"](http://www.jbc.org/cgi/reprint/281/2/977.pdf) (PDF). *The Journal of Biological Chemistry*. **281** (2): 977–981. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1074/jbc.M511064200](https://doi.org/10.1074%2Fjbc.M511064200). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [16263703](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16263703). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [31545439](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:31545439).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Gergor Beuster, Kim Zarse & Michael Ristow (2011). ["Inhibition of alanine aminotransferase in silico and in vivo promotes mitochondrial metabolism to impair malignant growth"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121379). *Journal of Biological Chemistry*. **286** (25): 22323–30. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1074/jbc.M110.205229](https://doi.org/10.1074%2Fjbc.M110.205229). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3121379](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121379). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [21540181](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21540181).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Kim Zarse, ... , Michael Ristow (2011). ["Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151375). *Eur J Nutr*. **50** (5): 387–389. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00394-011-0171-x). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3151375](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151375). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [21301855](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21301855).{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

## External links

- [Homepage of the Institute for Experimental Endocrinology](https://expendo.charite.de/en/)

- [Complete list of Ristow's scientific publications at PubMed](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=search&term=ristow+m)

- [GoogleScholar profile](https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=HkSI1LoAAAAJ&hl=en)

- [ResearcherID profile](http://www.researcherid.com/rid/O-9858-2014)

- [ORCID profile](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2109-2453)

- [Twitter profile](https://twitter.com/Prof_M_Ristow)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat Academics ORCID ResearcherID Google Scholar Publons People DDB

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michael Ristow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ristow) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ristow?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.