Let’s talk about your mitochondria, what causes damage to them, how this affects our energy, and what we can do to fix it!
First of all, what are your mitochondria? Mitochondria are the “energy factories” of our body. Mitochondria are the part of cells that turn sugars, fats, and proteins that we eat, into forms of chemical energy (adenosine triphosphate ATP) that the body can use. There are several thousand mitochondria in nearly every cell in the body, and your cells have different numbers of mitochondria based on their energy needs. Mitochondria produce 90% of the chemical energy our cells need to survive. It’s easy to see that when we don’t have enough mitochondria or our mitochondria are damaged, serious diseases result.
However, mitochondria do much more than produce energy. On a cellular level, we need well-functioning mitochondria so our bodies can break down waste products, so they’re less harmful, and recycle some of that waste to save energy. Mitochondria also stimulate the death of damaged cells (apoptosis) to prevent mutations leading to cancer. Mitochondria can also help upregulate detoxification, repair DNA, fight viruses, produce heat, and produce water for your cells. Beyond just low energy, if our immune system health declines, we accumulate toxins, and we have a decrease in cell repair–chronic diseases may start!
The symptoms of mitochondrial problems and related disorders go beyond fatigue issues and aging.
Poor mitochondrial function has been linked to
Alzheimer’s disease
Bipolar disorder
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic fatigue disease
Depression
Diabetes
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Fibromyalgia
Infertility and reproductive issues
Inflammatory bowel disease
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Parkinson’s disease
Skin issues
Several factors disrupt the function and structure of our mitochondria, damaging and destroying them beyond repair
•Heavy metals (such as mercury, arsenic, aluminum, lead)
•Environmental toxins (accumulation of pollutants such as Glyphosate)
•Viruses (energy gets used fighting viruses, and less energy is available where it’s needed for other body functions )
•Parasites (use our energy to help replicate themselves and cause damage)
•Medications (antibiotics, painkillers/anti-inflammatories, statin medications, PPIs, anti-depressants affect the ability for toxins to be taken out of our mitochondria and reduces the function of our mitochondria)
•Oxidative stress (from things such as chemical cleaners, high blood sugar levels, alcohol, poor diet/processed foods, poor sleep, chronic stress, mold toxins, Lyme disease, unhealthy microbiome)
If you’re tired all the time and reaching for cups of coffee to get through your day or dealing with brain fog–it may just be your mitochondria!
Here are 6 ways to help boost your mitochondria, especially to have the energy required for a detox to help remove the toxins, parasites, and heavy metals
1- Hydrate using carbon-based electrolytes (polyelectrolytes).
These electrolytes help increase the efficiency of the electron transport chain, which generates your ATP. Polyelectrolytes also help deter free radicals from attacking your cells.
2-Diet/Nutrients
Vegetables and plant-based foods help deliver nutrients and clean out unwanted toxins. However, most food is grown in nutrient-depleted soil and isn’t a significant source. Some vitamins and supplements that may help are B vitamins, minerals, CoQ10, and fulvic acids (bioactive carbons).
3-Sleep
Our brains require a lot of energy, which creates metabolic waste. During sleep, the brain eliminates toxins and waste through our glymphatic system.
4-Red/near-infrared Light
This type of light penetrates the skin and stimulates a molecule called cytochrome C oxidase, which is part of the electron transport chain that produces ATP. Red or near-infrared light enhances the efficiency of our mitochondria electron transport chain and energy production.
5-Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting can help support the mitochondria mechanisms that prevent and repair damage and promotes the renewal of mitochondria by eliminating damaged cells.
6-Exercise
When we exercise, our muscles use a lot of energy. This causes a burden to the mitochondria, sending a signal to create more mitochondria and more mitochondria enzymes. This increases the ability to produce ATP.