Mitochondria – Energy for Life
At Core Naturopathics, we often say ‘energy isn’t just about sleep or caffeine — it’s about what happens inside your cells’. And at the heart of that process are ‘mitochondria’, the tiny engines that power everything from your morning walk to your immune system’s fight against illness.
Let’s break it down simply — what are mitochondria, what do they do, and what are the everyday factors that can quietly impact their performance.
What Are Mitochondria?
Think of mitochondria as ‘microscopic batteries’ inside nearly every cell in your body. You have thousands in each cell — especially in high-energy tissues like your muscles, brain, and heart.
They’re not just static power plants. Mitochondria are ‘dynamic, adaptable organelles’ that respond to exercise, diet, stress, and environment. When they thrive, you feel strong, focused, and resilient. When they struggle, fatigue, slow recovery, brain fog, and even long-term health risks can follow.
What Do Mitochondria Actually Do?
Their main job? ‘Turn food and oxygen into ATP’ — the energy currency your body uses for ‘everything’:
– Walking, running, lifting
– Thinking, remembering, focusing
– Healing wounds and fighting infections
– Pumping your heart and regulating hormones
But they do more than make energy:
Function | Why It Matters
Energy Production (ATP) | Fuels every movement and thought
Metabolic Flexibility | Switches between burning carbs and fat smoothly
Cellular Repair & Detox | Clears damage and supports recovery
Signalling & Resilience | Helps your body adapt to stress and prevent disease
As Dr. Richard Cheng notes in his recent Orthomolecular Medicine release, ‘robust mitochondria mean peak performance for athletes and lasting independence for older adults’.
What Slows Mitochondria Down? (The Hidden Energy Thieves)
Mitochondrial function doesn’t decline just because of age. Modern life stacks the deck against them. Here are the top disruptors:
1. Toxins from Food & Environment
– Pesticides, plastics (BPA), heavy metals, and air pollution directly damage mitochondrial enzymes
– Ultra-processed foods with emulsifiers harm gut barriers → systemic inflammation → mitochondrial stress
2. Nutrient Deficiencies
– Low magnesium, CoQ10, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin C = poor ATP production
– Without enough antioxidants, free radicals overwhelm mitochondrial defences
3. Chronic Inflammation & Infections
– Long-term low-grade inflammation (from gut issues, stress, or hidden infections) increases oxidative stress
– This forces mitochondria into ‘survival mode,’ reducing efficiency
4. Blood Sugar Swings & Insulin Resistance
– Constant high carbs → insulin spikes → mitochondrial overload
– Poor metabolic flexibility = fatigue, cravings, and lactate buildup during exercise
5. Poor Sleep, Stress & Overtraining
– Lack of deep sleep blocks mitochondrial repair cycles
– Chronic cortisol or excessive exercise without recovery impairs biogenesis (new mitochondria growth)
* Bonus Insight from Dr. Cheng: Even ‘bright blue light’ (screens, LEDs, sunlight glare) can oxidize retinal mitochondria. Wearing blue-blockers or sunglasses in harsh light protects eye and brain health.
The Good News: You Can Recharge Your Mitochondria
The same science that shows decline also proves reversibility. At Core, we use:
– VO2 Max & InBody testing to measure your mitochondrial efficiency
– Low-carb nutrition & intermittent fasting to reduce stress and boost fat-burning
– Targeted nutrients (magnesium, CoQ10, niacin, vitamin C) to support repair
– Therapies like HBOT, red light, and PEMF to stimulate renewal
– Lifestyle coaching for sleep, movement, and detox
Clients — from biohackers to those managing chronic conditions — report clearer energy, faster recovery, and sharper focus in weeks.
Ready to Power Up Your Cells?
Your mitochondria don’t have to fade with time. With the right testing, strategy, and support, you can restore energy for life.
Take the first step:
Book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Call with one of the Core team. We’ll review your energy, explain your options, and map a plan — no pressure, just clarity.
Because when your mitochondria work better, you live better.
*Inspired by “Mitochondria: The Core of Exercise, Longevity, Heart Health, and Cancer Prevention” – Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, Oct 2025)