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.

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?