What Are the Mitochondria?
A common way to describe the mitochondria are the "powerhouses of the cell." They're located inside the cells and are involved in making a molecule called ATP. You can think of ATP like cash. Your body absorbs glucose from food, which are like $100 bills and the process of creating ATP is like breaking that $100 into easily spendable $1 bills. ATP is like "energy currency" that's used by your muscles, nerves, enzymes, and in the production of DNA. If you want to support your body on a cellular level, then support your mitochondria.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
The mitochondria may be defective in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia leading to less energy production in the muscles. This explains why pain, stiffness and fatigue are common symptoms in these diseases.
Mitochondrial dysfunction can show up in many ways in the body:
Hypothalamus - suppression of this gland, which is a key component in CFS and fibromyalgia, has been seen in mitochondrial dysfunction syndromes.
Nervous system - decreased neurotransmitters leading to low dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin.
Liver - detoxification doesn’t happen efficiently and you can develop sensitivities to medications, environmental toxins and food.
Muscles - lactic acid accumulates and the muscles don’t recover quickly.
Gut - bowel issues and poor digestion can occur, which many people experience in CFS and fibromyalgia.
Immunity - becomes weaker and unable to fight infections due to poor white blood cell function.
Heart - this is a muscle that needs a lot of energy and becomes weaker and unable to effectively pump blood out to the rest of the body
Kidneys - they aren’t able to filter the blood and detoxify the body
How to Help the Mitochondria Work Better
Many environmental exposures, medications, infections and deficiencies can harm the mitochondria. Reducing exposures, healing infections, improving nutrient deficiency and avoiding oxidative damage can go a long way to supporting your mitochondria.
Substances and lifestyle factors that harm the mitochondria:
Chemicals and pesticides
Molds
Viral infections
Heavy metals
Medications for diabetes, cholesterol, pain, depression, and infections (antibiotics)
Alcohol
Low antioxidants
Poor oxygenation
Low or high iron
Imbalanced blood sugar
Lifestyle factors that support mitochondria:
Cold showers or contrast showers that activate shivering
Getting enough oxygen by having good posture, treating sleep apnea, exercise
Getting red light exposure or morning sunlight exposure to activate receptors that stimulate mitochondria
Intermittent fasting
Nutrients that support the mitochondria:
D-Ribose - This nutrient is a 5 carbon sugar that’s used to produce energy by being a building block of ATP. Without enough ribose, you can’t make ATP. It’s essential for the heart, muscles, and brain as well as the rest of the cells in your body. In CFS and fibromyalgia it may help improve sleep, decrease pain and improve energy. Dose: 5g (5,000 mg) three times per day for 3 weeks, then decrease to twice daily.
Aspartate and malic acid - These two compounds are used in the breakdown of glucose (a sugar) and the production of ATP. This is another way to support the energy production cycle in the mitochondria. Malic acid can be found in apples.
Acetyl-L-carnitine - Carnitine is necessary for burning fat and we can’t use fat stores without it. Those with CFS and fibromyalgia may have low levels and this could explain why weight loss becomes difficult in these conditions. Food sources include animal protein and dairy. Dose: 500 mg twice daily for 4 months.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - In the process of making ATP, electrons need to be shuttled along what’s known as the “electron transport chain.” This process is vital to making ATP and CoQ10 helps move these important electrons to where they need to go. People taking cholesterol lowering drugs and oral contraceptives may be low in this nutrient, which can be found in animal protein. It may help with immunity, weight loss, exercise tolerance and allergies. Dose: 200 mg daily for 4 months.
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In health,
Dr. Jamie
Resources
Foundational Lecture: The HPA Axis. Dr. Carrie Jones. https://youtu.be/uMs50ZBa3tY
Pizzorno, J. E., Murray, M. T., & Joiner-Bey, H. (2015). The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.
Teitelbaum, J. (2007). From Fatigued to Fantastic (3rd ed.). Avery.
This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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