Is Mitochondrial Health the Key to Overcoming Fatigue?
Your mitochondria matter! We can’t talk about fatigue without addressing our mitochondria. The mitochondria are little energy factories within each one of our cells. The type and function of the cell determines how many mitochondria we should have. For example, our heart cells have thousands of mitochondria in them, due to it being such an energy-consuming organ. The heart is pretty important, wouldn’t you say? But when our mitochondria aren’t functioning properly in our bodies, our energy will suffer too.
What Affects the Function of our mitochondria?
There are a lot of things that can impact the health of these energy factories, including the type of foods we eat - if we’re eating inflammatory foods, this is going to put more stress on our cells can cause damage. Other things that influence them are our ability to detoxify and remove waste from our bodies, which involves having a functional lymphatic system, liver, gut and kidneys. As well as the amount of toxins we’re bringing in on a daily basis, such as through food, water and chemicals.
A Stressed Immune System Drains Our Energy
The immune system plays a big role in how our mitochondria function, because if our immune is working overtime fighting infections, we won’t have the ability to produce energy as efficiently, leaving us exhausted! Hidden gut infections and even autoimmunity is all too common these days, and really stresses our ability to create energy. In autoimmunity, such as Hashimoto’s, the immune system starts to attack the body’s own tissues, but this is usually due to hidden infections, toxins and food intolerances. Despite what it may seem like some days, your body is actually fighting to heal you and not destroy you! It’s just a little preoccupied with trying to save the day and using your energy to do so.
Nutrients for Energy
Our nutrient levels are important also. We need antioxidants and nutrients like iron, coQ10, B vitamins, magnesium, l-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid for good cellular energy. Just as important as eating a nutrient-rich diet, is making sure our digestion is functioning well enough to be able to actually utilize and absorb these nutrients.
Fasting Boosts Our Mitochondrial Function
Fasting can help support longevity, detoxification and helps get rid of old damaged mitochondria, as well as even triggering mitochondrial biogenesis (the production of new mitochondria!) That’s pretty exciting!
Exercise for Better Energy
Exercise is great for so many reasons, including promoting cellular energy. When we stress our muscles, our bodies get the signal to produce more mitochondria, in order for our cells to produce more energy. Just like nutrition and supplementation, your exercise routine should be unique to your needs. Find a type of exercise that leaves you feeling great instead of drained and still gets you breathing.
Oxygenation is Key
Check in with your breath right now. Are you holding your breath? Breathing shallow into your chest? Or are taking full, deep belly breaths? Getting enough oxygen into our system is a challenge for most people, especially now with the use of masks and high stress. Breathing helps energize us, lowers stress and benefits cellular health. Deep breathing is an easy and completely free way to support our energy levels, so do more of it!
BONUS TIP: Get natural sunlight every single day to help boost your mitochondria and energy naturally!
If you struggle with fatigue, we want you to know that there is hope for better energy and your diet, lifestyle and mindset can help support you! Reach out to us by emailing hello@winnipegnutrition.com today!
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist™
