What are mitochondria and why should you take care of them?

A wave of disorders and various ailments is the current plague of our times. More and more often, people try to find the cause of their ailments, searching for relevant information on the internet

This is not without reason, as more complex cases are not adequately addressed by medical care or accurate diagnostics. Unfortunately, the lack of time for specialists to properly delve into a given case leads to an increasing number of people who do not know what is wrong with them. However, increasing attention is being paid to the environment of our cells in specific tissues and the processes of adequate energy production to power cells in the form of ATP. This role is handled by mitochondria, which are small cellular organelles that play a huge role in the proper functioning of the entire human body. What are mitochondria and how can you properly care for them?

What are mitochondria?

Mitochondria are tiny and specialized structures within the cellular environment that are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. This is the basic substance responsible for the function of every cell in our body. This information alone provides data indicating that mitochondria are among the most important elements for the proper functioning of the human body.

Mitochondria are responsible for more functions than we might think. They can participate in the specialization of individual cells based on their location. In other words, mitochondria determine that intestinal cells will specialize in maintaining homeostasis within the digestive tract or that liver cells (hepatocytes) will actively participate in the metabolism of various substances.

What are the functions of mitochondria?

To delve even deeper into the importance of these cellular organelles for our body, it is worth looking at the functions they perform for us every day.

The main function of mitochondria is the process of cellular respiration. This is a process in which a series of biochemical reactions occur in the so-called Krebs cycle and then in the respiratory chain, which ultimately lead to the formation of ATP molecules. Thanks to this, mitochondria ensure that every tissue in our body is able to function in any way. Without mitochondria, a person would not even take a step!

These organelles also influence the growth and development of individual cells, especially during periods of dynamic organism growth in early years. Mitochondria can also decide which cell will be broken down and destroyed in the process of apoptosis, i.e., programmed cell death. Hence, the extremely important role of mitochondria in the course of cancers.

Mitochondria are responsible for the proper circulation of energy throughout the human body. First, it must be produced in the process of cellular respiration. Then, it circulates entirely throughout the human body according to the body’s needs, in order to properly supply it.

What can weakened mitochondria result in?

Situations where mitochondria are weakened in their function can occur repeatedly. This is not a rare phenomenon due to the lifestyle many people lead today. Lack of adequate regeneration, incorrect dietary habits, or deteriorated food quality contribute to the formation of chronic inflammation, which also affects mitochondria. This results in a disturbance of the ATP production process and a deterioration of the quality of life.

The overall situation is also not helped by the excessive secretion of cortisol, which negatively affects the functioning of the nervous and hormonal systems. This condition further deteriorates human health and causes significant discomfort in daily functioning.

The deterioration of mitochondrial function is a specific process because it is practically unnoticeable. One of the few options to check the body’s biochemical (and thus “mitochondrial”) status is to perform blood tests. Based on these, one can effectively determine the condition and quality of our mitochondria’s work and take appropriate steps towards better health. Unfortunately, not every specialist is knowledgeable about aspects related to mitochondrial medicine, which is a medical field deepening knowledge about the importance of mitochondria and their functions. This topic is widely discussed among Germans, where there are even centers for mitochondrial medicine, undertaking specialized actions and supplementation leading to an improvement in health in the course of various metabolic-hormonal diseases and ailments. Unfortunately, for now, we can only dream of such centers in Poland.

The deterioration of mitochondrial function can result in the following symptoms:

• Deterioration of overall condition and efficiency,
• Frequent headaches,
• Worsening of well-being and motivation,
• Limb and joint pain,
• Problems with digestion and nutrient absorption,
• Deterioration of concentration and attention span (cognitive functions),
• Worsening of vision,
• Weakened immunity,
• Feeling of chronic fatigue.

During the inflammatory process, an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species is expressed, which negatively affects the functioning of the organism. Their enormous quantity contributes to the damage of individual inflamed tissues in terms of DNA and protein structure. A similar situation occurs with mitochondria, where mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which codes for the proper functioning of a given mitochondrion, is destroyed. When the structures of the mitochondrion cannot efficiently produce energy for the organism, a breakdown in the functioning of individual tissues occurs, and they become more susceptible to inflammatory factors. This phenomenon is called mitochondriopathy, meaning disorders of proper mitochondrial function.

How to reduce inflammation in mitochondria and regain health?

To reduce inflammation and regain health, you should examine your current health habits and lifestyle. These contribute most to shaping our health. Regeneration in the form of adequate rest and sleep is important in this aspect. Thanks to this, the body is able to reduce inflammatory factors that accompanied it throughout the day. If this rest is lacking, higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which will negatively affect the body’s structures, should be expected.

In addition, the quality of food and our diet plays an important role. In most cases, the problem is a busy lifestyle, which limits the ability to properly balance the diet in terms of individual nutrients. Furthermore, one must consider the changing climate and environment, which affect the quality of food delivered to stores. It currently contains fewer mineral components than it did a dozen years ago.

Nowadays, to completely balance a diet in terms of nutrients, one would have to consume about 15,000 kcal daily!!! This result alone testifies to the current quality of food. We would have to consume daily calorie amounts equal to those consumed by Michael Phelps during the Olympic period when he won gold Olympic medals.

Unfortunately, in addition to poorer food quality, it is accompanied by numerous enhancers that contribute to artificial growth. Furthermore, this is accompanied by protective agents against pests, which also cause inflammation in the human body. Various types of nitrates and agents based on potassium and nitrogen compounds lead to the delivery of excessive amounts of nitrogen to the body, which, during metabolism, results in the formation of health-detrimental metabolites. These cause a phenomenon accompanying free radicals, known as nitrosative stress.

In other words, in addition to food quality, we are also accompanied by a higher consumption of highly processed fast-food, which promotes further inflammation and metabolic diseases.

The answer to these challenges is a low-processed diet, eliminating inflammatory factors in the form of:

• Excess sugar,
• Large amounts of TRANS fats,
• Large amounts of saturated fats,
• Excessive frying,
• Low fiber content.

It is also worth remembering to consume meals regularly at equal intervals, which will ensure an appropriate blood glucose concentration providing the right amount of energy for working tissues.

Both accumulating stress and mitochondriopathies contribute to a global deterioration of human functioning, which in the long term can lead to serious lifestyle and autoimmune diseases.

How to care for mitochondria? Essential supplementation

In addition to proper care for your lifestyle in the form of a balanced diet and regeneration, it is worth considering additional supplementation that emphasizes the most important nutritional needs in the form of vitamins and minerals, as well as key substances from the perspective of mitochondrial biochemistry.

Important ingredients for the proper functioning of mitochondria are:

• Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR),
• Magnesium,
• Coenzyme Q10,
• Spermidine,
• PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone),
• B vitamins.

Acetyl L-carnitine is a biologically active form of the amino acid L-carnitine, which is involved in the process of beta-oxidation of fatty acids (their utilization for energy needs). It also acts as an acetyl donor in the formation of acetyl-coenzyme A, a key compound for the Krebs cycle. In other words, ALCAR is an essential substance for maintaining an efficient process of energy production in the form of ATP. A large part of this compound is formed precisely in the mitochondria, which is why, in the event of inflammation, it is worth supplying this substance to the body and supporting the work of your key cellular organelles.

The second key substance is magnesium, which acts as a cofactor for the enzyme pyruvate kinase, responsible for producing an adequate amount of glucose for specific cells. Some magnesium is also found in mitochondria and affects the activation of ATP molecules.

Coenzyme Q10 acts as an electron donor in the respiratory chain, meaning it plays an important role in the final process of energy production by mitochondria. Coenzyme Q10 is also a substance with very strong antioxidant properties, counteracting excessive concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators of inflammation. It is a substance that acts not only on mitochondria and is definitely worthy of admiration due to its spectrum of action.

Spermidine is an interesting biologically active compound found in wheat germ. Spermidine is responsible for autophagy processes, i.e., the self-destruction of damaged mitochondria and their subsequent recycling for the synthesis of new, functional organelles. Spermidine acts as a kind of manager responsible for the proper functioning of mitochondria in the human body. It also provides a strong anti-inflammatory effect, which means it will be beneficial for maintaining broadly understood health prevention.

PQQ is the enigmatically sounding name for pyrroloquinoline quinone, a substance whose properties involve more efficient cognitive function due to its ability to create new brain connections and stimulate the synthesis of new mitochondria. Thanks to PQQ, our concentration and memory can achieve a new quality, and the production of additional mitochondria will contribute to a significant improvement in the functioning of the entire human body. PQQ also has preventive applications against neurodegenerative and lifestyle diseases.

The last additional element supporting mitochondrial function are B vitamins, which act as cofactors for various enzymatic reactions leading to energy production in mitochondria. It is worth obtaining them through diet, and if necessary, also introducing their supplementation.

Can mitochondrial health be restored with a single supplement?

It turns out, yes. You can absolutely shorten the process of ordering individual preparations and searching for appropriate quality supplements to a single product currently available on our market. If you want to improve your health and significantly support the work of your mitochondria, as well as elevate your body to a completely new level of functioning, you should definitely consider the BestLife supplement from the BESTLAB store!

The supplement offered on our website contains the full spectrum of the aforementioned substances, which comprehensively care for the well-being of your mitochondria. Moreover, the substances contained in our preparation are effective not only for mitochondria. They improve health prevention and support the body in maintaining daily health and in the desire to improve physical condition, which also plays a key role in human health.

BestLife supplement composition:

• Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) – 500 mg,
• Magnesium Taurate (currently the most effective and best-absorbed form of magnesium) – 320 mg,
• Coenzyme Q10 (in ubiquinol form – a more biologically active form than ubiquinone) – 100 mg,
• Wheat germ extract with spermidine – 100 mg, including 1 mg of spermidine,
• PQQ – 20 mg

The ingredients and their amounts have been selected to guarantee a quick and effective improvement in health and well-being without the risk of overdose and the need to adjust the dose on your own. In other words, everything you and your mitochondria need is in the BestLife supplement and within your reach!

How to care for mitochondria – summary

Mitochondria are very important cellular organelles responsible for the process of energy production in the form of ATP. Thanks to them, the entire organism is able to function correctly. Unfortunately, ubiquitous stress and the incorrect lifestyle of most people lead to the generation of inflammatory states, which also affect mitochondria. This contributes to the formation of the phenomenon known as mitochondriopathy. To address these, attention should be paid to regeneration, proper nutrition, and supportive supplementation.

Key ingredients affecting mitochondrial function are:

• Coenzyme Q10,
• Magnesium,
• Acetyl L-carnitine,
• PQQ,
• Spermidine,

You can find all these ingredients in the BestLife preparation from BESTLAB! Thanks to this preparation, you can comprehensively care for the health and efficiency of your body through mitochondrial support. Mitochondriopathies do not present classic symptoms, hence prevention is important, and it is worth investing in as soon as possible, because you only have one health.