Think back to high school biology class. You’re studying basic cell structure and learning about the function of each of the cellular organelles. Do you remember the mitochondria – the powerhouse of the cell? That little organelle stood out because it was responsible for supporting the actions of all the other organelles. It’s the engine of the cell and it makes everything go.
All human cells contain mitochondria except for red blood cells. The number of mitochondria in each cell is dependent upon how much energy the cells need. The cells of the heart, muscles and brain are always working so they need a lot of energy and house thousands of mitochondria per cell. Energy is produced in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and fuels all the functions of the cells, tissues, and organs.
This energy originally comes from the food that we eat and is converted into the chemical energy of ATP to be used by our cells. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates get broken down into their component parts and are absorbed from our digestive tract into the bloodstream and eventually into the cells where the mitochondria use these components to make ATP to support all bodily functions. The mitochondria are the little engines that could!
But what happens if those little engines are not functioning optimally? Energy starts to wane, and bodily functions become sluggish. Hormone production, cellular detoxification, and protein formation are not occurring at the rate the body demands. We can feel this as a lack of energy. Our cells experience reduced functional capacity, and this has broad effects throughout the entire body.
Consuming an excess of simple carbohydrates can be damaging to the mitochondria because these carbs increase oxidative damage. Trans fats and too many polyunsaturated fatty acids are problematic for mitochondrial function as they are pro-inflammatory and like too many simple carbs increase oxidative stress. A well-balanced whole diet, along with time-restricted eating, where we eat all our meals in an 8 to 10-hour window of time, allows the mitochondria to repair and regenerate.
Screening for toxins such as heavy metals, environmental chemicals, and mycotoxins through reliable testing can identify which toxins may have the greatest impact on mitochondrial function. Mosaic Diagnostics has various tests available:
- Metals – Nutrient + Toxic Elements testing provides detection of heavy metals and mineral imbalances via blood, hair, stool and urine assessment.
- Environmental chemical detection through MosaicDX’s TOXDetect Profile provides evaluation for various toxic chemicals.
- Mold toxin testing through MosaicDX’s MycoTOX Profile evaluates common mycotoxins. Most mycotoxins have adverse influences on mitochondrial function.
Based on information from these tests, the implementation of detoxification methods can help greatly to reduce toxic burden.
If energy is an issue, specific nutrients to support the function of the mitochondria can be very helpful. This can include L-carnitine, CoQ10, B-vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and pantothenic acid (B5), as well as magnesium. There are many mitochondrial support supplements available.
To emphasize again the mitochondria are especially susceptible to nutrient deficiencies, toxins, and oxidative damage. Eating a diet rich in colorful veggies, quality sources of protein and omega-3 fats is supportive of mitochondrial health. Typically, the combination of a real food diet, along with selective support nutrients, is ideal for long-term for mitochondrial health.
Finally, an additional Mosaic Diagnostics to always consider with regards to mitochondrial dysfunction, and assessment for various nutrient imbalances, pathogen toxins, and other factors is the Organic Acids Test (OAT). The OAT is an essential test for anyone dealing with a chronic health condition, and the other tests mentioned above are complementary to the OAT.
