Michael Ristow (b April 24, 1967) is a German medical researcher who has published influential articles on biochemical aspects of mitochondrial metabolism and particularly the possibly health-promoting role of reactive oxygen species in diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer, as well as general aging due to a process called mitohormesis.

In 2007, Ristow’s group published evidence which could explain the basis of the observed extension of lifespan by restriction of sugar intake.

Due to a vaccination-like response, the organism produces more defenses against oxidative stress, including increased activity of catalase.

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

Specifically Ristow has shown that forced metabolic activity and respiration of mitochondria efficiently blocks cancer growth[15][16] as anticipated by Otto Heinrich Warburg as early as in 1924.