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Mitochondrial Health

Powering Up: Tips and Tricks for Enhancing Mitochondrial Health

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Our bodies contain more than one hundred thousand trillion mitochondria - the marvelous miniature energy factories found in our cells. Why does having healthier mitochondria result in having more energy? And how can we enhance our mitochondria so we have more energy for life? 

You’re about to learn the answers to these questions and more, as we dive deep into the fascinating world of mitochondria. Join us as we shrink down to the microscopic level to get a better understanding of this essential part of all living organisms…


What Are Mitochondria? 

Mitochondria are tiny organs found in virtually all cells inside the human body. These microscopic characters are between 0.5 and 10 micrometers small, but they play a huge role in the survival of all living things. 

Mitochondria’s main job in life is to produce large amounts of a molecule called Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP carries energy between cells, and all living organisms use it as a source of energy currency. So basically, mitochondria are biological batteries.

Mitochondria are often called the power house of the body. The healthier your mitochondria, the more ATP these power plants can produce for all biological functions and your overall health and wellbeing. The inner membrane of mitochondria is folded into a squiggly shape, called cristae. These cristae allow mitochondria to have more surface area dedicated to energy production. 

 

What Happens When Mitochondria Get Damaged? 

Your body always needs ATP to survive, and it only stores enough for about 7 seconds of survival! So problems quickly arise when our mitochondria get damaged, and can’t produce as much ATP. 

When this happens, you can experience a range of negative symptoms, the most common of them being fatigue. Other common symptoms of deficient mitochondria are:

  • Anxiety
  • Brain fog
  • Depression
  • Inability to focus
  • Mood swings
  • Pain

 

Dysfunctional mitochondria have also been linked to some of the most common lifestyle diseases of our times, such as: [1]

  • Autism
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Dementia (and other neurodegenerative conditions)
  • Diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Learning disabilities
  • Movement disorders (like Parkinson’s and tremors)

 

The full list of health problems that mitochondria play a role in is much longer!


What Damages Mitochondria?

These little organs (called organelles as they are micro-sized and live inside cells) are easily damaged. No wonder we often run out of mental or physical energy: [2]

  • Heavy Metals - Harmful metals such as arsenic and mercury reduce the number of folds on the mitochondria, reducing the surface area it has to create energy with. They are also toxic to cells and their mitochondria.
  • Oxidative Stress - Caused by free radicals that kidnap electrons from the molecules in your cells, oxidative stress can be caused by a number of things, including alcohol, chronic stress, chemicals found in everyday products, cigarettes, mold, pesticides, plastics, processed foods, sugar, and other toxins.
  • Parasites - Parasitic organisms can steal the energy produced by mitochondria for creating more parasites. Scientific research has also revealed that cells infested with parasites usually have more free radicals in them. Free radicals can attack the walls of the mitochondria and even destroy them altogether. 
  • Pathogens - Disease-creating pathogens (including bacteria) can interfere with mitochondria in a number of sneaky ways. They can steal energy from mitochondria for their own dastardly purposes, and they can also surround mitochondria and prevent them from clearing up damaging free radicals. 
  • The Importance of Caring for Your Mitochondria

    Looking after your mitochondria is essential to maximize your energy levels. It’s also one of the best ways to look after your health. The number of mitochondria you have in your body's organs is a good indication of your overall level of health. The more mitochondria, the more energy your body has available to run its biological processes.  

    Your brain, muscles, and gut are power-hungry organs, they need lots of energy to function optimally, this is why they are impacted so much by impaired mitochondrial function. But this also means they receive some of the biggest benefits when you give your powerhouses a nice little boost! Some of the highly desirable benefits of boosting your mitochondria include:

    • Greater focus and concentration.
    • Greater feelings of wellbeing.
    • Increased immune function.
    • Increased nutrient absorption.
    • Stronger muscles and endurance.

     

    Sadly, the numerous environmental factors that damage mitochondria are really taking a toll on our ability to make energy. Without enough energy, we can only survive, and not thrive. But many benefits await when you begin taking conscious care of your body’s biological batteries. So, how can we do this?

     

    The Role of Nutrition in Mitochondrial Function

    Mitochondria are damaged by oxidative stress (this is a bit like going ‘rusty’ - unpaired electrons on an oxygen molecule run riot and damage cells and tissues in the body). This is made much worse by poor dietary choices (specifically sugar and lack of minerals, both of which prevent immune repair processes).  Fortunately consuming a diet rich in antioxidants really helps combat this destructive oxidation.


    Eat For Mitochondrial Power

    Unsurprisingly, the food we eat plays a major role in the health of our mitochondria. Avoid the usual suspects: alcohol, sugar, and processed food. At the same time, increase your intake of foods from Dr. Sebi’s Nutritional Guide such as:

    • Blackberries
    • Blueberries
    • Oranges (preferably Seville)
    • Strawberries
    • Raspberries
    • Plums
    • Prunes
    • Raisins (with seeds) 
    • Red grapes (with seeds)
    • Cherries
    • Kale
    • Red bell peppers
    • Onions

     

    Mitochondria also thrive on foods rich in iron and selenium, including: 

    • Amaranth greens
    • Dates
    • Figs
    • Raisins
    • Prunes
    • Kale
    • Quinoa
    • Mushrooms
    • Brazil Nuts

     

    And mitochondria love healthy fats, which give them anti-inflammatory assistance and a clean-burning energy (the opposite of the ‘dirty’ energy sugar provides!). Naturally healthy fats are found in avocados, soft jelly coconuts, and olive oil (avoid cooking fat as it oxidizes, making it inflammatory, drizzle over cooked food or salads instead of cooking with it).


    Exercise to Energize

    Exercising and various types of workouts are known to boost mitochondria production and function. When you exercise it sends a signal to the body that it needs more energy and it actively encourages the cells to make more (new) mitochondria. This is called mitochondrial biogenesis. 

    Your body is so efficient that it only makes what it needs to, and sitting on the couch simply doesn’t send any signals that more energy is needed. It may seem counter-intuitive but you need to use energy (by moving) to make more energy. This is how we adapt to increasing amounts of exercise. Training is for the muscles and mitochondria, they increase in number and efficiency when you give them more to do. What fun ways to move would send the right signals to your body?

    • Aerobic exercise like dancing or skipping
    • Walking or hiking in nature
    • Riding a bicycle or a spinning class
    • Resistance and strength training

    Sunlight Exposure

    Amazingly, mitochondria function much like chloroplasts in plants, they turn some of the sun's light into energy. [3] Exposure to sunlight is also able to improve mitochondrial function. To enjoy safe sun exposure, touch your skin frequently, if it feels cool then you are naturally protected, and cover up when your skin feels ‘hot to the touch’. Sunscreens are typically neurotoxic, just limit exposure to what feels comfortable [4].


    Cold Water Therapy

    Recent studies have found that submerging yourself in cold water initiates mitochondrial biogenesis (the creation of new mitochondria). As little as 20 seconds under a cold shower or dipping in a cold pool is enough to have a beneficial effect (and you can always turn the water temperature up afterward.) 


    Detox to Defend Mitochondria

    It’s all well and good to undertake the actions above for the benefit of your mitochondria. But if you don’t get rid of the toxins and heavy metals in your system that impede mitochondrial function, you’re only going to experience a limited improvement in your energy levels. That’s why it’s important to detox heavy metals (like aluminum, arsenic, mercury, tin, and lead) and stop using or eating products that contain them.


    Mitochondrial Health Enhancers

    Mitochondria are the biological batteries powering your life. That’s why it’s so important to take care of them, and you can do that with the methods we’ve looked at in this article: eating foods rich in antioxidants, iron, and selenium, exercising on a regular basis, getting plenty of sun, exposing yourself to cold water, and detoxing from heavy metals.

    Dr. Sebi developed potent herbal complexes that support mitochondrial health by providing targeted antioxidants, bioavailable minerals, and removing those pesky metals that impair energy production and immune functions. 

    Dr. Sebi’s products put the power back in your brain, gut, and strength. They work on multiple organs at once because they optimize the health and function of your mitochondria. The Brain Boosting Bundle could be just what your mitochondria need to help them function more effectively. Support your energy today!

     

     

    Mitochondrial Health

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    Experience the difference, as these two products work together to increase mental energy and physical stamina, improve circulation and oxygenation, support lymphatic waste removal, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune defenses. Feel invigorated, emotionally stable, and mentally clear, while also supporting your body's natural energy efficiency.

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    Citations

    [1] Diaz-Vegas A, Sanchez-Aguilera P, Krycer JR, et al. Is mitochondrial dysfunction a common root of noncommunicable chronic diseases? Endocr Rev. 2020;41(3):bnaa005.

    [2] Meyer JN, Hartman JH, Mello DF. Mitochondrial toxicity. Toxicol Sci. 2018;162(1):15-23.

    [3] Xu C, Zhang J, Mihai DM, Washington I. Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP. J Cell Sci. 2014;127(Pt 2):388-399.

    [4] Ruszkiewicz JA, Pinkas A, Ferrer B, Peres TV, Tsatsakis A, Aschner M. Neurotoxic effect of active ingredients in sunscreen products, a contemporary review. Toxicol Rep. 2017;4:245-259.

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