Health and Your Mitochondria

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Mitochondria are the powerplants of your cells, and their wellbeing is a significant predictor of your overall health. Healthy mitochondria are associated with enjoying a life filled with more energy, greater endurance, clearer thinking and better metabolic health. In many respects, mitochondria are the often-unappreciated foundation of wellbeing.

Mitochondria are found in most cells in the human body, though the mitochondria of the muscles are among the most "workable." In the muscles, mitochondrial health can be addressed through various means, particularly through diet and exercise. Not all foods feed the mitochondria, while some exercise is better than others at supporting robust mitochondrial health.

Mitochondria are parts of the cell where
fuel is converted into energy.
(image from NIH National Human Genome Research Institute)

As with so many components of wellbeing, aging is hard on mitochondria. Not only do we tend to lose muscle as we age, the remaining muscles often have less robust mitochondria. This loss of mitochondrial density and function in the muscles is associated with many of the challenges associated with aging, such as reduced energy, loss of strength, and weight gain. Bringing mitochondrial health into awareness is among the most powerful things you can do to extend your healthspan.

In forthcoming blog posts, I will discuss two "levers" that you can pull to improve your mitochondrial health. These are:

  • Reduce your consumption of sweet foods that are not naturally accompanied by fiber
  • Be sure that your fitness regimen includes lots of moderate-intensity cardio
Healthy mitochondria are a significant component of wellbeing, and mitochondrial health is something that all of us can work with. Through simple lifestyle interventions, you can improve the odds that you'll enjoy greater health for a longer period of time.

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