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Mitochondria are our cell engines that take the energy from food and change this into the energy our bodies need. At the end of the line is the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to provide the energy that makes our bodies work.
Free radicals, especially nitrogen radicals like peroxynitrite, can damage delicate cell structures and cause less energy to be made. Some diseases can damage mitochondria. Studies show chronic fatigue syndrome weakens mitochondria resulting in significantly less energy than in healthy people.
The result is always tiredness, but other symptoms are determined by the type of disease. For example, in people with Multiple Sclerosis, mitochondrial changes occur and lead to nerve myelin damage.
The first step to improve energy is to add Coenzyme Q10. But be aware – most CoQ10 on the market are low-cost, semi-synthetic materials. I prefer high grade, naturally-fermented material despite its higher cost. There is no such thing a good, cheap CoQ10.
The most important component of nutritional therapy for fatigue and inflammatory problems is adding a range of mitochondrial nutrients and co-factors. These include CoQ10, PQQ and other compounds such as Resveratrol, Grape seed extract, Acetyl l- carnitine, N acetylcysteine and, Alpha Lipoic Acid.
These help to increase energy output, support flagging energy processes and reduce free radical damage by actively targeting the free radicals that damage delicate energy systems. We then add a full B vitamin complex because these are needed in most of the steps to make energy. A combination of a good diet and these beneficial supplements can make a real difference in life quality for those with low energy. Most people feel a real difference within two months.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice, contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz.