Mitochondrial Function Simplified

For centuries, humankind has been in search of the fountain of youth. Although we should all be grateful for the gift of aging, many of us want to maintain the vigour and energy that we often feel in our youth.

Aging is complex. It involves the participation of genetics, environmental factors, diet, supplements, cell types, and, more importantly, certain cellular organelles called mitochondria.

To understand mitochondria, we need to identify the most important element in life: what do we need continuously, every second of every day, to stay alive? The answer is found in the air we breathe – oxygen. Individuals who experience strokes can become paralyzed, losing their ability to walk or talk, all because a particular area of the brain is devoid of oxygen. That begs the question: what is oxygen doing that is so critical for life?

Oxygen is inhaled into our lungs and carried by red blood cells to every cell in the body. Once it gets inside the cell, oxygen goes to the mitochondria (organelles). There, it goes through a series of steps to produce the body’s electricity, which is captured as chemical energy in small molecules known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Mitochondria are the energy-producing compartments in the cells of our bodies. These incredible organelles of life vary in numbers from cell to cell based on the energy requirements of each cell type. Most cells have about 300 mitochondria, but other cells that require a lot of energy, such as the liver and heart, have 2,000 and 5,000 mitochondria per cell, respectively. There are some references that claim that some brain cells have close to a million mitochondria per cell. All told, the typical adult human has over a quadrillion (1,000 trillion) mitochondria!

Science tells us the reason we age is that our mitochondria reduce in numbers and produce less energy. The question then becomes, what can we do to improve mitochondria, increase our energy levels, and reduce aging?

Mitochondrial corrosion

To answer this question, we need to understand oxidation-reduction, or redox, and then apply it to mitochondrial functionality. Simply put, oxygen is a double-edged sword – it is essential for life, but it can also cause oxidation (rusting). For example, if you take an apple and cut it in half, the apple begins to turn brown. That browning is oxidization (rusting). In contrast, take another apple, slice it in half and squeeze lemon juice on it. It will not brown because the lemon juice acts as an anti-rust agent, also known as an antioxidant.

Now let’s apply this analogy to mitochondria and make some important assumptions.

Mitochondria cannot under any circumstances rust. If they rust, they die; if they die, we die. This is a key assumption. So, how do mitochondria not rust, as they have a lot of oxygen going through them continually?

Corrosion prevention

Mitochondria have their own “lemons,” known as glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These compounds stop mitochondria from rusting.

To extend our analogy, let’s pretend that these two compounds equate to 100 lemons per day for each mitochondrion, and that’s why they are not rusting. Now imagine that, as a result of poor diet, stress, gut permeability issues, and lack of proper nutrients, 50% of your lemons per mitochondrion rot.

What happens now? Well, remember that mitochondria cannot rust under any circumstance. How does a mitochondrion survive? It has to adapt, so it reduces the uptake of oxygen by 50% and the output of energy by 50%. In other words, you will now be producing less energy – you’ll feel very tired – and things throughout the body won’t function normally. Will you age more quickly? In my view, absolutely!

What do we do?

You can overcome your energy deficiency by supercharging your energy at the cellular level. To do this, can be taken separately, but it is more convenient to choose a supplement formula that includes multiple nutrients for enhanced mitochondrial function. A great formula will include glutathione and SOD, which I referred to earlier as powerful antioxidants for your mitochondria. Also make sure your formula has acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), as these nutrients help generate energy and optimize energy production. Additionally, take NMN daily – it’s a vital tool that boosts mitochondrial health. Finally, look for supplements that are rigorously third-party tested for purity and potency.