Do you find yourself fatigued most of the day? Sometimes the cause of fatigue can be due to mitochondrial dysfunction. So, what in the world is mitochondria? Well, in short, it creates our fuel; they're like mini power factories inside each cell! Damage to the mitochondria can occur from a variety of factors both environmental and inherited. Some factors include cigarette smoking (that's obvious), aging, excessive exercise, and even some medications. To optimize our cell's function, we should implement a 3-part system which includes decreasing exposure to damaging factors, giving our mitochondrial the nutrients it needs to operate at it's best, and protecting it against potential oxidative damage.
Show Some Love To Your Mitochondria
Remove Damaging Exposures: for most people it's common sense these days to avoid cigarette smoke, not spray pesticides in the yard, and to not live on fast food, but sometimes the toxins can be hidden. We can even go a little further and evaluate the purity of the water you drink, the types of cooking utensils you use , and even your exercise routine and stress management techniques could play a role in the health of your mitochondria.
Provide Nutrients for energy production and against oxidative damage
Ribose: This 5-carbon sugar happens to play a large role in making ATP (which is the fuel), especially in muscle.
Magnesium: This mineral is an important cofactor for enzymes within the mitochondria.
CoQ10: Acts to prevent damage to the mitochondria and is very well researched.
Resveratrol: Has shown to have many benefits which include protection from oxidative stress and increasing antioxidant activity and defense mechanisms.
Melatonin: Studies have shown that is can protect against age related mitochondrial damage.
The B's: B Vitamins are essential to mitochondrial function such as B1, B2, B3, and B6.
L-Carnitine: Often used with lipoic acid has shown synergistic effects to further reduce oxidative stress while increasing mitochondrial function.
Sources:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/febs.12304/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21843205
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416050
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18928424
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3561461/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11276827