Got Fatigue? It Could be Mitochondrial Dysfunction!
🧬 Top clues your mitochondria could use some love 🧬
But first: Mitochondria?
We learn they are the “powerhouses” of the cells in biology class, but when it comes to how good we feel every day, mitochondria play a huge role.
Here are some clues I look for in my patients that suggest they could benefit from better mitochondrial function:
▪️ Feeling tired, lethargic, or exhausted
▪️ Trouble mustering the energy to exercise
▪️ Muscle aches or poor exercise recovery
▪️ Brain fog or inability to concentrate
▪️ Insulin resistance or poor glucose control
See, mitochondria are central to our metabolism at a cellular level. We need them working at peak performance for good energy, metabolism, and everything that falls into place after that.
Quick Question 👇
If you heard a rattling noise coming from your car engine, would you crank up the radio to drown it out or take it to the repair shop to fix the cause of the noise?
I’m guessing you’d want to get it fixed. Am I right?
Then why is it when it comes to our bodies and our health…so many people choose to cover up their symptoms rather than figure out the cause?
In naturopathic medicine, we look under the hood 🚙
And when it comes to correcting the source of the problem, we work to optimize function on a CELLULAR level.
Or even subcellular—like the mitochondria.
When we support the mitochondria, we optimize the function of the body from the inside out. That means…
✅ Better Energy
✅ More Stamina
✅ Mental Clarity
✅ Healthier Metabolism
✅ Graceful Aging
⬇️ WHY WE NEED ANTIOXIDANTS ⬇️
Antioxidants protect our cells from toxins and free radical damage, but they are especially important for protecting our MITOCHONDRIA.
(for those in the back row—check out my recent posts @dr.racheloppitz about mitochondrial function 😉)
The thing is that mitochondrial DNA is less protected than nuclear DNA inside cells, so it is even more susceptible to damage from toxins.
Here are some of my favorite antioxidants to protect mitochondrial function:
▪️ Resveratrol
▪️ CoQ10 (CoQ10)
▪️ Acetyl-l-Carnitine
▪️ Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
It also helps to eat lots of fruits & veggies 🥦🫐🍅🥑🍋
3 Things You Can Do to Boost Mitochondrial Function 🙌
Better mitochondrial function means a better metabolism, more energy, clearer focus, and healthier aging.
How can we give our mitochondria a boost?
1️⃣ High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT means exercising at high intensity for brief bursts)
2️⃣ Intermittent Fasting (restricting your eating to a timed window each day)
3️⃣ Cold Exposure (like a cold plunge or cold shower)
Do you already do any of these things? Did you know they are improving your health on a deep and cellular level?
When you’re ready to stop grabbing random supplements from the shelf of the health food store and instead get a personalized plan, contact me to schedule an appointment. 🙌
Rachel Oppitz, ND
