Our Energy Factory

Supporting the health of our mitochondria to prevent fatigue and illness

Nestled within nearly every cell of the human body lies a remarkable structure, often proclaimed as the ‘powerhouse of the cell’: the mitochondrion. These tiny organelles play a crucial role in sustaining life, tirelessly converting the food we eat into usable energy for all our body functions.

So, what happens when these little powerhouses are not working optimally?  We can experience extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, poor immunity, digestive issues, nausea, poor vision, mental fatigue and migraines.  You see, those body systems that have the biggest demands for energy (such as the brain, muscles and gut), will show symptoms first. 

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a growing area of research in modern health.  It is not about the genetic mutations that can cause mitochondrial diseases, but rather what we encounter in our lifestyle and diet that influence their optimal function and production of energy for good health.

Exposure to toxins such as heavy metals, moulds, environmental and plastic chemicals can disrupt energy production, or block cell membranes from functioning.  As your body tries to eliminate these toxins, it also depletes glutathione levels which can lead to further damage from oxidative stress.  We can support glutathione levels through a diet rich in whole grains, eggs, carrots, kumara and high-quality meat protein.  Supplementing NAC, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), milk thistle or CoQ10 can also support glutathione levels.

The health of the digestive system can also influence mitochondria throughout the body.  An overgrowth of candida, clostridia or mould in the gut can directly produce chemicals that interrupt energy production or damage mitochondria.  When these pathogens impact on the lining on the intestines, creating ‘leaky gut’, this increase in toxic load also depletes glutathione’s protective effects on the mitochondria. 

High oxalates in the diet in conjunction with a leaky gut can bind with calcium to cause kidney stones, sore joints and muscles, but they can also enter the mitochondria, disrupting function, causing inflammation and lowering energy production.  If this may be a problem for you, you could reduce high oxalate foods, such as berries, almonds, cashews, bran and cocoa.  Keeping to the recommended limits for protein and vitamin C, along with drinking plenty of water can also help.

Mitochondrial dysfunction may seem like a complicated business, and there are many functional tests that can identify abnormalities.  However, if you are suffering from some of these fatigue challenges, you could start with reducing your toxic load and looking at dietary choices.  If you would like individualised naturopathic support for your energy levels, please get in touch and we can review your diet, lifestyle and supplements.