“There are thousands of mitochondria in every cell of your body, providing energy to every organ in your body so they can function efficiently. When you optimise mitochondria you will optimise every body process from immunity to detoxification, brain function, muscle strength, energy levels and hormones and in the process avoid chronic degenerative disease.”
A cardinal sign of mitochondrial deficiency is Fatigue. The human body requires energy for brain function, immunity, movement, detoxification. Poor cellular energy makes us more susceptible to infections, pathogen overgrowth, inefficient detoxification and these things in turn slow down our mitochondria. Enzymes secreted from the stomach, pancreas and liver require up to 60% of our bodies energy production (ATP) daily. When the liver is overburdened from toxins, infection or medication, mitochondria don’t function efficiently and this can lead to chronic liver disease.
Methylation is crucial for healthy mitochondria. If you lack mitochondrial mutations, and take supplements to support ATP production, yet have methylation issues, and problems metabolising folate, you will struggle to get your mitochondria working efficiently. Mitochondria use folate derived methyl donors to methylate mitochondrial DNA and this process is essential for energy production.
The Microbiome produce three metabolites necessary for mitochondrial function; Butyrate, a short chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria, makes new mitochondria, repairs cell walls and is an important signalling molecule. Butyrate feeds Urolithins which are necessary for mitochondrial function. Urolithin A is found in colourful fruits and vegetables and particularly high in Pomegranates. Urolithin A help our mitochondria regulate autophagy, the process that ensures old cells are removed and healthy cells are promoted. Urolithin A also regulates energy (ATP) production directly (the main purpose of mitochondria) and is directly impacted by the microbiome. Lactate, which also stems from the production of healthy gut bacteria, is firstly oxidised to pyruvate and used as an energy source in the mitochondria. Butyrate, Urolithins and lactate are all byproducts of healthy gut bacteria. The more beneficial bacteria we have, the more mitochondria we are going to create. The healthier we get our gut, the better our mitochondrial function. Its important to realise that the food we eat, and the supplements we take, are metabolised by our gut bacteria in order to be effective. Microbes extract the nutrients from our food which feed our mitochondria. If the microbiota aren’t there then turmeric loses its effectiveness. This becomes a very important reason to heal the gut and create a healthy environment that can service our mitochondria and our cellular gene expression to its maximum potential. Short chain fatty acids such as butyrate are made from bacterial fermentation of fibre from raw fruits and vegetables which protect the cells of our colon and feed healthy bacteria.
Stress Hormones released by our adrenal glands affect our mitochondria. Low levels of cortisol improve mitochondrial function, while chronically high levels reduce mitochondrial function. Chronic stress impacts brain function and memory via its effects on mitochondria affecting cellular plasticity and resilience. The Thyroid gland is dependant on healthy functioning mitochondria, just as mitochondria rely on active T3 levels to keep it producing energy. Triiodothyronine (T3) is an important regulator of mitochondrial activity. When we are hypothyroid, and not converting T4 to T3 efficiently, our mitochondria slow down and we don’t produce energy efficiently. In addition, if our mitochondria aren’t working efficiently because of genetics, or high amounts of free radicals and low levels of antioxidants, the amount of thyroid hormone we produce lowers. Even if your T3 levels are normal, your mitochondria may be struggling under the weight of toxins, chronic stress, medication and low levels of antioxidants.
When we Detox the body and remove heavy metals, clear infections such as yeast overgrowth, bacteria and viruses and reduce our exposure to mold, we greatly improve our mitochondrial function. Viruses deplete our mitochondria of calcium for their own survival and growth, parasites deplete our body of essential nutrients needed for production of ATP and inhibit our immune function for their survival. Mold binds to fatty tissue such as lipid bilayes in the brain and deplete our mitochondria.
Psychological Stress, overexercising, poor nutrition, poor sleep and circadian rhythm all converge at the mitochondrial level and cause damage to mitochondria. Chronic infection causes damage to the cell, shutting down mitochondira producing high levels of Oxidative stress causing them to self-destruct.
Iron deficiency reduces mitochondrial activity and increases oxidative stress which causes damage to mitochondrial DNA. Iron is an important part of the developing brains energy processes because it is required by enzymes active in the Krebs cycle and electron transport (mitochondria) chain to make energy. Iron deficiency impairs mitochondrial respiration and dendrite complexity without severely impairing overall neuronal health. Early life iron deficiency affects 40-50% of fetuses and children resulting in long term neurobehavioural dysfunction; impaired brain energy metabolism, altered neuronal dendritic structure, reduced synaptic efficacy and long term neurocognitive abnormalities.
Processed Foods and overeating cause oxidative stress in the body. Taking breaks between meals allows our gut to take a break, autophagy is stimulated, old mitochondria break down and are replaced by new mitochondria. In addition, we increase our levels of NAD an enzyme associated with energy production and longevity and reduce inflammation. In addition, hypoglycaemia should be avoided in children with mitochondrial disease as they may not be able to mobilise other substrates for metabolism. Ingested Toxins such as heavy metals, BPA, flouride, benzene damage or shut down our mitochondria. Gut permeability or dysbiosis caused by chronic inflammation from processed foods, increase LPS, an endotoxin which leaks into the bloodstream and directly suppresses and damages mitochondria, causing immune damage, deactivation and chronic fatigue. A healthy diet rich in phytochemicals and polyphenols such blueberries and resveratrol creative an oxidative environment. Gut organisms metabolise these compounds and metabolites communicate directly to mitochondria. Its the compounds in healthy food which make them amazing and the gut microbes which make these compounds available for your tissues, such as mitochondria.
Glyphosate inhibits the first step of the ATP producing Krebs cycle contributing to fatigue and poor immunity. Certain Antibiotics such as Ciprofloxin, quinolone’s, avelox are designed to detroy bacterial mitochondria but they also cause problems with human mitochondria making recipients ill for years afterwards. Psychtropic medications such as anti-depressants, anxiolytics and antipsychotics are linked to mitochondrial toxicity. Cyanocobalamin which includes a cyanide molecule, impairs complex 3 of the mitochondria. All Anaesthetics decrease mitochondrial function particularly volatile anaesthetics and propofol at common doses. Defects in mitochondrial complex I make children more sensitive to anaesthetics. Mitochondria are sensitive to synthetic and endogenous chemicals including Prescription medication, analgesics such as acetominophen and statin medications. Environmental toxins such as Mercury and arsenic and radioactive substances such as Thallium have a major impact on mitochondrial structure and function.
Support for Mitochondria
Treating gene overexpression is foundational to supporting healthy mitochondria in Down Syndrome. In addition, working on the body holistically through detox, diet, exercise, breathing and avoiding toxins and processed foods is equally important. Considering there are thousands of mitochondria in each organ, if you improve mitochondrial function you will improve your overall health in an outstanding way. More energy will be available for your brain, heart and immune system and you will be stronger with improved exercise and detoxification capacity, better hormones, bigger muscles and reduced risk of chronic disease development.
Good Sleep and Circadian Rhythm mangement are essential for healthy mitochondrial activity. When we sleep autophagy occurs. The body cleans out dead proteins and makes sure we are living off today’s proteins. When autophagy is blocked we are living off yesterdays proteins. We need sleep to reprogram the Cell Danger Response and rebuild healthy cells that aren’t damaged. Its important at night time to switch all light bulbs to orange and avoid blue lights. Blue lights signal the hypothalamus that its ‘daylight’, which is good first thing in the morning, but we need to block blue light to wind the brain down at night time. Its important not to eat large meals before bedtime (supplements are fine) or our digestive system doesn’t get to rest. Our Circadian Rhythm is the biological clock that controls our 24 hour sleep/ wake cycle. It controls dozens of neurotransmitters and hormones, our mood, weight and appetite. It impacts our melatonin levels, our most potent mitochondrial antioxidant. Each night when you sleep, melatonin penetrates our mitochondria and protects it from damage. It interacts with our internal antioxidant system. Years or decades of poor sleep and poor melatonin production cause damage to our mitochondria. Our circadian rhythm regulates enzymes responsible for making NAD+ levels, necessary for energy production within the mitochondria. Glymphatic sleep is a restorative time when the brain clears out toxins. When we sleep the glymphatic cells activate the brain to open and clean out debris, but this only occurs when you have good sleep. The connection between electromagnetic frequency emissions coming from wifi, computers, ipads and smart devices and chronic disease, is that devices are well known to suppress melatonin production and disrupt Circadian rhythm.
The Vagus Nerve, which connects the cells of the gut to the cells of the brain, is in constant communication with mitochondria. It is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions such as digestion, heart rate and respiration. When the Ventral part of the Vagus nerve is stimulated through meditation, loving kindness, positive relationships, exercise, chi gung, yoga, green vegetables it tells the Cell Danger Response ‘everything is ok, you can relax and heal now’. The ventral part of the Vagus Nerve is where we feel good, happy, socially connected, uplifted and in a state of wellbing and this is reflected back to the mitochondria. Sending messages to the brain that it is safe now, that you are safe and feel calm, whatever we need to do to create that emotional state is a core part of healing. These emotions can be cultivated on a daily basis using a gratitude diary, essential oils, sunlight, time spent in nature, water therapy to reset your nervous system. Deep breathing is the best way to improve your mitochondrial health. Mitochondria use 90% of our bodies ATP, and the body requires oxygen in order to do this. Shallow breathing is associated with stress while meditation, relaxation and deep breathing improve the efficiency of mitochondria.
Exercise stimlulates mitophagy, the process of clearing out damaged mitochondria and increases mitochondrial biogenesis, increasing mitochondrial mass with improved glucose uptake. Hormesis, the little stressors that make the body stronger ie. weights, exercise, boost mitochondrial density which leads to increased energy production. When we have increased numbers of mitochondria in each cell, our body doesn’t have to work as hard to reduce oxidative stress and free radicals. Cold therapy stimulates shivering which activates mitochondria to produce more energy and increases mitochondrial density. Sauna’s improve the function of mitochondria. Six days of Sauna use increases mitochondrial function by 28% according to a Finnish study, reducing overall mortality, increasing blood flow etc.
Lean Muscle mass is the number one biomarker for longevity and overall health. Lean muscle helps us to maintain activities of daily living, improves our uptake of glucose and allows us to interact with the world.
Pacing is really important for people with Down Syndrome when it comes to anything that stimulates mitochondria. If you’re overdoing high intensity exercise, cold laser therapy, shivering, sauna’s, sun exposure, emotionally or physically overdoing it, it will cause damage at the mitochondrial level. Don’t do nothing, but don’t do too much either. We need a bit of hormesis to keep mitochondria functioning and adapting to increased biological demands, but if your body is in the healing phase of mitochondrial dysfunction, be careful.
There are several ways Naturopaths test and treat clients for mitochondrial dysfunction. The Organic Acids test looks at whether mitochondria are functioning or are in a hypometabolic state. It looks at each individual pathway associated with energy production from glycolysis to the Krebs cycle and Ketosis. It assesses levels of nutrients essential for healthy mitochondrial activity such as CoEnzyme Q10, B vitamins, Glutathione, methylation nutrients and microbiome status. It also examines heavy metal interruption of Krebs cycle processes, lactic acid build up and the activity of neurotransmitters. Genetic tests are becoming more widely used to address mitochondrial snps, or mutations. Each step of the electron transport chain can have variations in snps and can be supported using nutrients.
