title: Can dietary nitrates enhance the efficiency of mitochondria?
abstract: A decline in mitochondrial function occurs in many conditions. A report in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Larsen et al., 2011) shows that dietary inorganic nitrates enhance muscle mitochondrial efficiency. It is an attractive hypothesis that dietary changes enhance energy efficiency, but its potential application depends on long-term studies investigating net benefits versus adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. nair.sree@mayo.edu
authors.forename: K Sreekumaran
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Lanza