What is your Mitochondria?

This month we're focusing on our energy, where it comes from, how to have more of it and how to protect it.

Energy is everywhere. In one of our Functional Medicine modules they describe organized energy as the source of function and disorganized energy as the source of disease. It certainly makes you pause to let that sink in.

But the question is, in our body how is get/make energy? Most people when asked will say from food, and yes our body uses food to produce energy, but how exactly?

In order to produce energy, each cell in our body has a powerhouse called the mitochondria. Mitochondria are key for regulating many important processes in the body. In the inner membrane of the mitochondrial there is housed an important set of proteins called the electron transport chain, this is where the breakdown products of carbohydrates and fatty acids are converted to ATP, which is the major source for various metabolic reactions in the body. Your wonderful mitochondria produce approximately your body weight in ATP every day!

Many people want to live not just long but live well long (a long health span). Looking after our mitochondria is key in this. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to many chronic conditions including diabetes, chronic fatigue, cancer, early aging and many more. And therefore it is key to support these powerhouses.

One of the ways we can support and optimize Mitochondria this is through nutrition, the Mediterranean diet and focusing on nutrient dense anti-inflammatory food is a good place to start. Foods that are high in anti-oxidants such as those found in brightly coloured vegetables and fruits like wild blueberries, beetroots, leafy greens and pomegranates. Herbs and spices are important as are clean sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, such as small wild-caught oily fish and flaxseed (freshly ground).

Dietary choices need to be paired up with lifestyle too, and getting regular exercise is key for optimal mitochondrial health. Great sleep is also key as the mitochondria are linked to our circadian rhythm (our sleep/wake cycle), and there fore poor sleep habits or no sleep routine can dysregulate this. Our mitochondria are also ‘cleaned up’ as it were whilst we sleep. And stress, this can have a huge impact on our mitochondrial health as chronic stress can increase the energy demands we put on our mitochondria and lead to dysregulation.

So in summary, the more we support our mitochondria through lifestyle and dietary choices, the more likely you will experience optimal health and wellbeing. They truly are powerhouses we need to look after!