The Mighty Mitochondria

Are you struggling with fatigue? Want to sharpen your memory? Feeling like your get-up-and-go got up and went? Then your mitochondria may need a boost!

Mitochondria are the structures within cells that produce energy. In other words, they are the cellular powerhouses. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, depending on the cell’s activity level. Cells making up the brain, heart, and muscles require more energy output to function and will therefore contain more mitochondria.

While the chemical reactions that occur in these mini powerhouses are quite complex, involving many different steps and nutrients, the basic concept is that mitochondria take oxygen and food and convert them into a form of energy that the cell can use, ATP. When our mitochondria are not working properly, our cells do not receive enough energy and we generally feel fatigued. Unfortunately, mitochondria are fairly sensitive structures and can be easily damaged. Environmental toxins, high stress levels, infections, eating poor quality food, and consuming excess calories all negatively affect mitochondria’s ability to function properly.

Obviously, we want our mitochondria to be healthy so we can make it through the day without running out of gas. However, research is uncovering that the importance of maintaining healthy mitochondria reaches beyond feeling just a little tired. For example, a study performed in October 2013 revealed a connection between osteoarthritis and stressed mitochondria. The scientists viewed cellular models and humans with osteoarthritis in their ankles. Cellular studies showed that when the joint was stressed, compressing the cartilage, the excessive load stressed the mitochondria in the cartilage cells.

The mitochondria then released damaging free radicals, causing the cartilage cells to die and the surrounding matrix to breakdown. The end result was progressive cartilage loss. The stress response started with the mitochondria and end result was degrading cartilage changes. While the main focus for joint health are nutrients which support joint structure, like hyaluronic acid and glucosamine, this study demonstrates that mitochondria support is also important.

Mitochondrial health also provides fundamental support for blood sugar, cholesterol, and heart disease. Mitochondria burn sugar and fat to produce energy, so when they fail to work well, problems start to escalate with blood sugar and cholesterol levels, leading to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, researchers are studying the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction and why calcification occurs in blood vessels. In a 2012 cellular study, scientists found that smooth muscle cells or blood vessels that were calcifying had mitochondrial damage. There were high levels of free radicals that compromised the structural integrity of the mitochondria.

Certain debilitating health conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia and Lyme’s Disease also correlate with poor mitochondrial function. Hallmark symptoms include lack of energy, mental or physical fatigue, poor endurance and prolonged recovery time after physical activity. A review article published in 2014 confirmed areas of disruption within mitochondria activity associated with these conditions which cause fatigue.

Clearly, mitochondrial health is of utmost importance to living a healthy, active, and fulfilling life. So how can you protect these important little cellular powerhouses? Cutting back on processed junk food, incorporating more quality whole foods, and increasing exercise are always good places to start. However, there are certain mitochondrial boosting nutrients that can be beneficial to take as well, including protective antioxidants and energy boosting nutrients such as PQQ, astaxanthin, acetyl-L-carnitine, r-alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Your mitochondria are constantly working to supply you with energy and probably double-time if there is a continual stressor affecting your health. These little powerhouses do so much for you, isn’t it time you return the favor?