When was the last time you felt 100% well?

The stresses and pressures of modern life have left many of us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and with little time or energy to take care of ourselves. Now our bodies are beginning to pay the price.

Perhaps you are suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, IBS, anxiety and headaches. These are all symptoms that could be impacting your life.

When it comes to feeling low of energy, I like to use the analogy of a car – In order for a car to work, it needs a healthy battery. Well our body is the same and in order to work well, we need healthy mitochondria, as they are the batteries of our cells and they supply the energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Jump starting a car with a flat battery is easy. Getting a human body that is drained of all its resources is less easy. When mitochondria fail, there is a poor supply of ATP which leads to the slowing down of all bodily functions. Struggling with a chronic illness can take years for some people to get well

How can you power up your Mitochondria?

Your batteries need adequate macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), along with Co-enzyme Q10, B vitamins and antioxidants.  

Phytonutrient-rich fruit and vegetables supply many of these nutrients, but most people do not eat enough of them on a daily basis in order to reach adequate levels.

Co-Enzyme Q10

Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important antioxidant that has many functions including helping to produce ATP and helps to protect the mitochondria from damage. CoQ10 is produced naturally in humans and is present in almost every cell in our body, but as we age, the less is made and although we can get small amounts from the food we eat, it is not enough, so taking this as a supplement becomes more important, the older we get.

B-Vitamins

B-vitamins come in the form of B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyridoxine) and B12 (Cobalamin) and collectively they have a vital role on energy production.

Omega 3

Omega 3 fatty acids EPA (eicsapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are important for the mitochondrial cell membranes.

Omega 3 fatty acids are also important for controlling inflammation in the central nervous system.

Food sources include: Wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and also chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, spinach and lentils

 Lifestyle and environmental stressors can alter mitochondrial function, causing disruption within the body. As a Functional Medicine practitioner, I am able to offer my clients the Mitochondrial Food Plan – an anti-inflammatory, low-glycaemic, gluten free, low-grain, high-quality fats approach to eating. The plan was developed to focus on supporting healthy mitochondria with therapeutic foods to improve energy production.

Follow my 8 Energy Boosting Tips:

  1. Eat 8 – 12 servings daily of colourful fruits and vegetables
  2. Stay hydrated
  3. Move regularly
  4. Meditate
  5. Get a good nights sleep
  6. Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol
  7. Supplement to support your mitochondria (always check with your nutritional therapist before starting new supplements to check there are no medication interactions)
  8. Book in for an Energy Review

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