Energy is the driving force for every living being. If you think back to the basic structure of a cell, the mitochondria are the most important organelle for producing energy. Without energy, the cell can’t continue its basic functions and will die. If mitochondrial damage is significant enough, the effects will continue to the brain and affect mood and focus.
Mitochondrial Importance
This unique organelle of a cell is much more than a factory for energy. Mitochondria have been linked to the production of essential cholesterol in the body. They are important for calcium signalling, which is important in initiating muscle contractions. As a muscle hypertrophies with weight training, the number of mitochondria increase to promote metabolism and energy production within that tissue. This means mitochondria also play a key role in growth and management of metabolic functions. In the brain, the mitochondria create important neurological connections between different areas of cognitive function.
Mitochondria are directly stimulated by hormones produced in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Their activity will fluctuate as hormone levels change in the body. This means that energy production in the body is affected by stress and the levels of cortisol, thyroid hormone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Mitochondria and the Stress Response
The human body strives to maintain homeostasis no matter what amount of physical, mental or emotional stress we put it through. The stress response can be broken down into 3 distinct phases. The alarm phase is the part where the stressor has presented itself. Immediately, the body may shift to the production of cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are meant to activate the fight or flight response and evade danger. The next phase is the resistance phase. This is the phase that differs for each person, and can be longer or shorter depending on the strength of the individual.
The phase of burnout is the third and final stage. This is the moment when all organ systems are depleted and can no longer keep up with the stressor. For the most part, our bodies are highly effective at maintaining balance, whether a stressor is acute or chronic. However, someone with a short resistance phase will crash into exhaustion quickly. Someone with a strong and lengthy resistance phase will be able to sustain a much higher amount of stress before it overcomes them.
Mitochondria Make Us Resilient
The length of an individual’s resistance phase is determined by their resiliency. People of high resilience are able to adapt and recover from these stresses very quickly. Those with low resilience to stress are less capable. They often find themselves ill and exhausted with even the smallest amount of stress. These people tend to recover very slowly, or contract a simple virus that lingers for weeks. So, what is the difference between these two types of people?
Well, in order to be resilient to stress, you need the energy to get up and keep going. The mitochondria in our cells produce energy as long as they have a healthy environment. This means the cell must be full of nutrients and free of toxins. In an unhealthy environment, mitochondria become damaged and ATP production begins to decline.
The Result of Mitochondrial Damage
When mitochondria are damaged, the production of ATP energy decreases and everything downstream begins to decline. Chronic diseases consume valuable energy and accelerate the aging process. Neurological disease is common, including Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Low mitochondrial function has been associated with insulin resistance, and can lead to the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. Cancerous growth are largely energy consuming and can breed well in an environment of mitochondrial toxicity.
Other conditions with links to mitochondrial damage include:
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Cardiovascular disease
- Liver disease
- Chronic Migraines
- Generalized muscles pain
Repairing Mitochondrial Damage
Many natural health products have been shown to improve mitochondrial function. These are largely antioxidants that can scavenge dangerous free radicals and prevent further damage. The top ones on the list are taurine, alpha-lipoic acid, Ubiquinol and Grapeseed Extract. All of these antioxidants play an important role in anti-aging, repairing damaged blood vessels, and supporting the nervous system. However, none of these nutraceutical supports can be effective without a proper dietary habit. There is no specific diet for supporting the mitochondria, but avoidance of known food triggers and following an anti-inflammatory diet can greatly benefit.