Impaired Mitochondria Function – Modifiable Factors of Aging
Nineteen percent of men report that they are tired and 30 percent of women report that they are tired. The mitochondria is the part of the cell that produces ATP (the bodies chemical form of energy). It produces ATP approximately 1000 times per day. Ninety-five percent of energy production is done by the mitochondria. There is an average of 2500 mitochondria per cell, except the red blood cells, which have none. The energy produced is used for nutrient uptake, cellular repair, and toxin elimination. Death occurs in an organism when it can no longer produce energy.
The mitochondria has its own DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is circular like bacterial DNA. It is very susceptible to damage from oxidative stress, because it is not protected by specific proteins and therefore doesn’t repair very efficiently. Mitochondrial DNA is 20 times more susceptible to damage then cellular DNA. The damage caused by oxidation stress will decrease energy production. Oxidation can be measured by the BTA. One of the best ways to increase energy is by exercise. When you exercise the number of mitochondria you have doubles, and they produce three times the amount of enzymes, therefore giving you six times the amount of energy than if you didn’t exercise. If you have dysbiosis, the toxins excreted by the unfriendly organisms will poison the mitochondria and therefore lower energy production. Essential fatty acids in the form of omega-3’s are very important for the mitochondrial membrane. Antioxidants are very important for protecting from oxidation stress.
