The popularity of Anti-aging products has been on the rise for many years; however, new research shows that mitochondrial supplements may provide the greatest benefits.

In the last few years, the subject of healthy aging has always involved the mitochondria. In other words, you can't talk about aging without bringing up the mitochondria - and the supplements that you can use to support your mitochondrial health.

If you've never heard of them before, the mitochondria are the "energy factories" of your cells. They are responsible for making ATP, which is what provides energy to every single cell in your body. However, as we age, our mitochondria become less efficient at making ATP. This is one reason why we experience an increase in fatigue and weakness with age.

What Are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria are tiny organelles that live inside your cells (also known as the "powerhouse of cells"). They're responsible for turning the food you eat into energy, and they also play a role in producing proteins, signalling molecules, and other important chemicals.

The mitochondria make an important molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This molecule serves as the cell's primary energy source and drives many biological processes, including muscle contraction and protein synthesis. Interestingly, a healthy person at rest produces their body weight in adenosine triphosphate every day! But because ATP cannot be stored, the mitochondria must constantly produce ATP, which makes it important to support your mitochondrial health with both supplements and food.

As we age, our mitochondria can become damaged and less efficient at producing this energy. But that's not all; certain drugs can also damage our mitochondria, including:

What Happens When Your Mitochondria Aren't Working?

Damaged mitochondria can cause all sorts of problems, including:

  • Fatigue and low energy levels
  • Brain fog or memory loss
  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Weight gain (especially around the midsection)
  • Higher risk of heart disease and diabetes
  • Fibromyalgia

Additionally, according to Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, a naturopath and author, the following list of conditions is all aggravated by mitochondrial dysfunction:

  • Early aging, including the greying of the hair
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Autism
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Migraine headache
  • Parkinson’s disease

Fortunately, improving mitochondrial health is pretty straightforward—you just need the right nutrients! Here's what you need to know about each one:

Mitochondrial Supplements For Health And Anti-Aging

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like antioxidant found in every cell of your body. It helps convert food into energy while fighting damage to your cells and is found in the mitochondria.

As one of the top mitochondrial support supplements, CoQ10 protects your mitochondria from damage from free radicals. It also supports healthy blood pressure levels by helping your body make nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels so they can open up wider.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles, joints, and tendons. It also causes fatigue, sleep problems, and headaches. Medication can help control the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but it can't cure the condition itself. Studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with several symptoms seen in fibromyalgia, including fatigue and pain. Some studies suggest that CoQ10 supplements may be able to reduce the pain caused by fibromyalgia.

NMN/NAD: Top Mitochondrial Supplement

NMN is a molecule that's a derivative of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which is found in all living cells. NMN can be converted into NAD, which is essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair. NAD helps mitochondrial health by directing the mitochondria to make energy and repairing DNA damage.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Since it first became available, Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been one of the best-selling supplements for mitochondrial health. It is a naturally occurring amino acid, and some studies have found it effective in reducing pain and fatigue in people with fibromyalgia. Other research has shown that it may be able to improve brain function, including memory and processing speed. Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplements are used to improve cognitive function and energy levels in the elderly, as well as relieve muscle pain and pain associated with neuropathy.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been used in combination with alpha-lipoic acid to boost ATP production in aged animals. Clinical trials in humans seem to confirm the same benefits.

L-Glutathione: Amino Acid Mitochondrial Supplement

L-Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant that's present in every cell of the body. It plays an important role in detoxifying the liver and neutralizing toxins as they're processed through your body. Glutathione neutralizes harmful substances by converting them into harmless substances that the body can excrete. Unstable molecules called free radicals cause damage in their effort to become more stable, and glutathione plays an important role in preventing this damage.

Ancient Peat Extract

Ancient peat extract is derived from ancient peat bogs that have preserved plant life for thousands of years. These plants contain many nutrients and trace minerals that are difficult to find in other foods.

SOD

SOD, or superoxide dismutase, is an enzyme that functions as an antioxidant in your body. In the mitochondria, SOD helps to prevent damage from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that cause damage in their effort to become more stable.

Other Ways to Boost Mitochondrial Health

In addition to taking supplements to support mitochondrial health, there are a few other things you can do. Give your body the fuel and nutrients it needs by eating a whole-food diet that prioritizes colourful and antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits, as well as high-quality proteins. Try to limit your exposure to toxins, which can damage your mitochondria. Finally, building muscle mass can be helpful, as this can increase ATP production.

While there may be no literal fountain of youth, we can edge ourselves closer to longer-lasting youth by minding our mitochondria. Luckily, there's lots of emerging research coming out that we can learn from to support our mitochondria as we age. We can certainly slow the aging process and enjoy our years as healthily as possible by supporting our mitochondrial health with key nutrients and lifestyle practices.

At National Nutrition, we have one of the largest selections of natural health products in Canada. Be sure to stop or call in and talk with one of our educators about supporting your mitochondria. With our array of supplement lines formulated to support mitochondrial health, there have never been more options to get closer to eternal youth.