Mitochondria—The Key to Human Longevity

Mitochondria — The Key to Human Longevity

Posted on July 8, 2018 by TriVita

Mitochondria is an intimidating word that’s thrown around a lot in medical websites and journals, but how many of us really understand its importance? Mitochondria are simply the tiny factories in each of our cells that turn the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe into energy. Aging speeds up when the communication breaks down between the central part of our cells and their mitochondria.

Mitochondrial deterioration produces excess free radicals, which in turn can cause your body to perform like an old car engine that produces a lot of smoke and runs poorly. The good news is that you can also reverse this process. When intracellular communication improves, aging slows down and overall health improves. Energy, metabolism, and cognitive powers are all enhanced.

Healthy Mitochondria

Every person is filled with mitochondria—there are trillions of these energy factories in each human body. Certain organs and tissues require more energy, and that’s why more mitochondria are packed in their cells. You’ll find abundant mitochondria in the heart, brain, and muscles.

If your body contains more healthy mitochondria, you’ll naturally feel better, with more energy and focus, and an increased ability to maintain high levels of activity without fatigue.

Poor Mitochondria

Most of us start life with healthy mitochondria, but lifestyle factors can deplete or damage them: poor diet, stress, inactivity, free radical damage, and exposure to toxins. This leads to tiredness, foggy thinking, and increased health risks.

Care and Feeding

Eating a well-balanced diet and reducing stress are key to mitochondrial health. Supplementation may help restore mitochondrial function. Many adults lack key nutrients — a high-quality multivitamin and targeted support like CoQ-10 can help maintain mitochondria.

Take care of your mitochondria and your body will take care of you.