Understanding Health at the Cellular Level
We often think of health and disease in terms of the health of our organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain. However, true health happens on the cellular level. While the more significant manifestation may be a liver, kidney, or heart condition, invariably, the root cause almost always has something to do with cellular dysfunction.
The World of Cells
Cells are actually little worlds all their own. They eat, they drink, they communicate, and they replicate. They have their own set of organs, called organelles, and these mitochondrial organelles are like tiny little engines that convert oxygen and nutrients into energy. This process is called oxidative phosphorylation. The energy that results is known as adenosine triphosphate or ATP, the cellular equivalent of fuel, which provides energy for cells to do their countless jobs. That is why mitochondria are called the “powerhouse of the cell” because ATP is used to support every essential function of the body in order to sustain life and support growth. Mitochondrial health is a big deal.
Mitochondria: The Energy Powerhouses
Each cell in your body has anywhere from hundreds to thousands of mitochondria. Altogether it is estimated that we have trillions of mitochondria. This is where 90 percent of the energy our body needs to sustain life and support healthy organ function comes from. Not surprisingly, the heart, brain, central nervous system, and muscles have the most concentrated number of mitochondria.
Consequences of Mitochondrial Dysfunction
When problems occur with our mitochondria, the consequences include low energy, fatigue, pain, memory loss, rapid aging, a diminished immune system, and possibly cancer. The mitochondria also impact our metabolism, which can result in weight gain if our metabolism isn’t functioning in an optimum way. This partly explains why older people struggle to lose weight even when they are exercising and not overeating.
What Causes Mitochondrial Breakdown?
Oxidative stress is the main reason the mitochondria break down. The body literally begins to rust on the inside. This occurs from overeating, eating refined sugar, eating junk food, eating fried foods, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, spending too much time in the sun, and being exposed to environmental toxins. The oxidation causes a breakdown in the cells, which damages tissue resulting in chronic disease.
Strategies for Mitochondrial Health
The best anti-aging, disease-preventing, brain-empowering, and fat burning formula is to care for the body’s mitochondria. Here are several steps you can take to provide a healthy environment for our mitochondria to thrive with greater efficiency.
Detoxify Your Diet
The first step is to get rid of internal toxins in the form of fast food, packaged food, fried food, soda pop, and sugar. Caloric restriction, or reduced calorie intake, has also shown to extend the lifespans of animals. By reducing the amount we eat and focusing on organic plant-based foods containing antioxidants and polyphenols. These crucial phytonutrients help fight free radicals and protect cellular and mitochondrial health.
Exercise for Energy
Exercise is also essential for mitochondrial health. Activity boosts the number of mitochondria, as our muscles require more energy to match the increased exertion. A brisk, daily walk tells our cells they need more energy producers — and they respond in kind.
Mitochondrial Failure and Aging
Mitochondrial failure causes cell injury that leads to cell death. When multiple organ cells die, there is organ failure. In adults, many challenges associated with aging have been found to have defects of mitochondrial function. Strengthening your mitochondria makes your cells resistant to stress and disease.
Conditions Linked to Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with numerous conditions, from cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s to autism, fibromyalgia, and cardiomyopathy. But it’s not limited to people with severe conditions. Research over the last ten years has implicated impaired mitochondrial function in one area that affects us all – Aging.
Aging on the Cellular Level
When researchers ask why we age, one of the frequent answers is that the function of our mitochondria slows down. Mitochondria are also crucial in apoptosis, the programmed cell death that usually takes place when cells are too damaged to function correctly. When mitochondria are impaired, unhealthy, aged cells are allowed to continue to reproduce. The number of mitochondria in cells declines as we age, which can have a particularly negative impact on muscle cells, including the heart.
Supplements to Support Mitochondrial Health
Given the powerful impact mitochondria have on cellular and overall health, it only makes sense to do everything we can to preserve them. There are a number of supplements that can help, and the number one supplement to maintain the health of the mitochondria is RiBo-Fuel.
RiBo-Fuel Ingredients
- D-Ribose: A naturally occurring sugar that supports ATP production and recycling, increasing energy formation in stressed tissues.
- Dimethylglycine (DMG): A metabolic enhancer that helps overcome stress, aging, and free radical damage, contributing methyl groups to maintain ATP levels.
- Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10): A cofactor in ATP production, improves heart function, circulation, and acts as an antioxidant. Particularly beneficial for heart health.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Supports heart function by transporting fatty acids into mitochondria for ATP production.
- Malic Acid: Involved in energy production and the Krebs cycle, essential for glucose metabolism.
- Rhodiola Rosea: An herb that promotes higher ATP and creatine phosphate levels for cellular energy.
- Bromelain: A proteolytic enzyme that supports muscle recovery and alleviates soreness.
- Protease: Decreases muscle soreness following intense exercise.
Other Beneficial Supplements
- Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA): A powerful antioxidant that prevents and scavenges free radicals, supporting cognitive function.
- Triple Magnesium: Critical for energy production, metabolism, and heart health.
- Medicinal Mushrooms (Cordyceps): Supports mitochondrial health, scavenges free radicals, and modulates immune function.
Conclusion: The Fountain of Youth
Boosting mitochondrial efficiency can have positive effects on both our lifespan and health span, but there are also more immediate benefits. By mindfully contributing to mitochondrial health, we can support our daily energy production needed to meet the demands of our busy lives. At the same time, we take a big step towards maintaining our vital energy reserves and reducing fatigue for overall wellness. Taking care of your mitochondria is the real fountain of youth, slowing aging, increasing energy, enhancing cognition, and maintaining a healthy metabolism.
