Our energy levels give us our zest for life and our ability to successfully navigate a good life.
When your energy level drops, it affects everything. While there are many factors that can suck away our good stuff and leave us worn out, one often hidden cause can be sick mitochondria.
Mitochondria are one of the most interesting systems in the body. They are believed to be the descendants of ancient bacteria. The theory goes that the bacterial ancestors of today's mitochondria were actually swallowed up by a cell and lived not only to tell about it, but to set up a new home inside the host organism. A symbiotic relationship was formed with the host cell that became an advantageous survival strategy for both.
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells because of their job of producing cellular energy, or ATP. Every day, our mitochondria slave away to pump out huge amounts of ATP, which is used to drive the functions that keep us alive and well. Trying to run your body without ATP is like trying to drive your car without gas. So, taking care of your tiny powerhouses is crucial. If you are struggling with fatigue or weakness, a mitochondrial tune-up might be just what the doctor ordered.
Our modern world provides more threats to our mitochondria than ever before. Not unlike our intestinal flora, mitochondria are very susceptible to damage from environmental toxins, prescription drugs, alcohol and oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation also debilitates them. These common factors damage our little energy factories and contribute to low energy production in the body.
Mitochondrial damage deteriorates health over time, allowing chronic disease states to occur in the body. Health conditions that have been linked to mitochondrial damage are premature aging, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, autism, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, dementia, diabetes, Huntington's disease, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease.
Symptoms that may indicate your mitochondria need help are muscle weakness, fatigue, foggy thinking, premature graying of the hair, vertigo, loss of visual acuity and hypertension, to name just a few.
Prescription and recreational drugs also can take a toll. Some of the drugs that hurt mitochondria are acetaminophen, antibiotics, aspirin, AZT, cocaine, grisepfulvin, indomethacin, methamphetamine, L-DOPA, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins.
So how can you take care of your mitochondria? ATP production requires all essential nutrients (21 minerals, 13 vitamins, eight amino acids, and two fatty acids) to drive it and deal with the oxidative stress that occurs naturally in the body.
Specific nutrients that provide protection for mitochondria are CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, resveratrol and vitamin E. Nutrients that optimize mitochondria energy production are riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), iron, magnesium, manganese and glutathione. Increasing your intake of colorful veggies and fruits is a good way to use food as medicine and help your mitochondria. Building muscle mass and decreasing toxin exposure also improve mitochondrial function.
If your energy levels and strength are not what they should be, think of your mitochondria and give them some love. Remember that health is wealth!
drnancy@durangonaturalmedicine.com. Nancy Utter is a naturopathic doctor and owner of Durango Natural Medicine. She works with people of all ages and varying illnesses.
