Mitochondria – Powerhouses of Our Cells
Mitochondria are organelles that are virtually cells within a cell and are the powerhouses that convert energy from the food we eat into energy that runs a range of biological processes.
Photo sourced from: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/mitochondria/mitochondria.html
Mitochondria are critical to cell survival in a variety of ways. For instance, they store calcium ions, helping cells maintain the right concentration of these electrically charged particles involved in blood clotting, muscle contraction and other important tasks. Mitochondria make the iron compound that allows red blood cells to ferry oxygen to the body’s tissues. They also are the initial production site for steroid hormones including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Mitochondria are associated with a range of health conditions. Malfunctioning mitochondria have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even resistance to radiation therapy.
A closer look at heart disease
Photo sourced from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/a-closer-look-at-heart-disease-risk
Ample, strong mitochondria form the basis for your body- and brain- power. How strong your mitochondria are and how many you have determine how you feel at any given moment.
For a strong body and brain, you want strong mitochondria that create a steady flow of energy, and you want a lot of them. Cells with strong mitochondria work well, and systems with robust cells keep the whole-body humming.
How to Support Your Mitochondria
- Get better sleep
- Keep inflammation down
- Exercise
- Review your nutrition and diet
Naturally it is important to avoid products that will damage your mitochondria, and through recent studies, It is now widely known that heavy metals like lead, mercury, and aluminum damage our mitochondria and lead to a variety of diseases (source: https://www.naturomedica.com/blog/news/general/taking-care-of-your-mitochondria)
In addition, it’s important to avoid food from crops that are heavily sprayed with pesticides when feeding your family. Buy organic fruits and vegetables when possible. Want to know more about pesticides and your food? Check out EWG’s 2019 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php) which provides an annual updated list of common grocery produce that contains high levels of pesticide residue. You’ll be surprised by what you read – grocery shopping may never be the same again!
You should limit your exposure to these products through diet and lifestyle changes, which a Naturopath physician can discuss with you in more detail.
Photo credit: Ella Olsson (https://www.pexels.com/photo/flat-lay-photography-of-vegetable-salad-on-plate-1640777/)
Mitochondria Podcast
As a way of explaining the important of mitochondria in short-term and long-term health, this podcast from Bulletproof Radio (key speaker Dr Terry Wahls) talks about the power of food as medicine, and how the right nutrition feeds your mitochondria.
Dr. Terry Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine where she teaches internal medicine residents and does clinical research. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2000 and went from being wheelchair-bound to running on treadmills through her use of nutrition and functional medicine.
How We Can Help at Yeronga Chiropractic
Naturopathic physicians seek to understand the underlying cause of disease and use treatments that target those mechanisms. In the case of neurological disease, cancer, heart disease and more, interventions that repair mitochondrial function can help give the body the fuel it needs to promote healthy tissue function. There is so much more to health than managing symptoms with drugs. Take charge of your health with a great lifestyle and natural medicines.
Want to know more? Simply get in contact with us to book an appointment with Yeronga Chiropractic’s Naturopath Melissa on (07) 3892 1440 or email admin@yerongachiropractic.com.au
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