Is it your Mitochondria Malfunctioning?
It's all about the Mitochondria, remember those things we talked about in high school biology class. These powerhouses are making a big splash in the health world....we not exactly a splash but we're learning more and more about them. Like how when they become damaged it directly effects out bodies ability to produce energy. The result is fatigue, weakness, feeling tired all the time and cravings for sugar. Tell me if you've never felt like that? Why? Because glucose (simple carbohydrates) are the simplest energy source for the mitochondria!! Its easy and doesn't require that many steps. We do have more efficient sources of energy, like ketones but let’s stick to the topic at hand.
So when the mitochondria become damaged they can not function as efficiently. Under normal circumstances 1 unit of glucose results in 38 total ATP. When they are damaged they can not generate the proteins and substrates necessary for production of ATP. So 38 turns more into 18.
And it doesn't stop there, Malfunctioning Mitochondria have been linked to diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, autism, Leigh’s syndrome, progressive optic neuropathy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and more! [1]
What damages our Mitochondria? A lot can but the the biggest culprit is Oxidative Damage from oxidative stress.
This stress comes from so many sources;
“Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract their damaging effects through neutralization with antioxidants. Oxidative damage is the harm sustained by cells and tissues that are unable to keep up with free radical production.”
1) Over oxidized foods (aka processed foods & fried foods). Heating vegetable oils at too high temperatures causes them to lose their structural integrity. When they enter the cell they are very unstable and highly reactive (aka free radicals). They damaged the proteins needed to produce ATP. There is a dirty 8 list that everyone needs to avoid! Like if you want to maintain healthy mitochondria you do not want to consume them. They are Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy, Sunflower, Safflower, Grapeseed, and Ricebran. These industrial vegetable oils, which also include soybean and peanut oil are high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These Omega-6’s are very delicate and susceptible to damage very easily.
I like to imagine a dining room table. Saturated fats are a full 12 seat table. There is no room for anyone else to sit and this creates a strong cellular wall. If your dinner party is missing a guest then you have moved into Mono-unsaturated fatty acids (The table is mostly full and strong). Poly-unsaturated, to many guest are missing and there’s room for invaders!
Consuming foods which contain these oils When manufactures are producing these refined oils for use, the processes they are using (heat, metals & chemicals) make them extremely volatile and “rancid.”
2) Insufficient Antioxidant intake. Yup, we can only acquire these helpful particles in our consumptions. If your diet lacks fruits and vegetables which antioxidants are plentiful then your body doesn't have enough of their own defense mechanisms.
3) Cigarette Smoking. I think we’re all aware of how smoking introduces free radicals into our bodies.
4) Chronic Stress (It’s all connected!). Due to the sustained activation of the HPA axis.
5) Environmental Toxins like pollution, seeping of chemicals thought personal care products. mold and biotoxins in water-damaged buildings, BPA, Pesticides and heavy metals
6) Infections
7) Physical Inactivity