Improve Your Energy, Mental Clarity and Metabolism

function.  You may be more familiar with this as a factor in Long COVID, but previously, it has been known that viral infections could trigger chronic fatigue.  When oxidative stress and toxins damage the mitochondria, the cell cannot do its job properly and will die faster.  This may lead to symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, brain fog; however, it can also play a role in tissue damage and aging. 

During our first visit with our patients, we evaluate all the causes of fatigue and order lab testing based on your specific risk factors and exposures. We may use tests like the Organic Acid Testing (which evaluates the urinary metabolites of mitochondrial function), oxidative stress markers, infection markers, and B vitamin status markers.  We may also run other labs simultaneously to evaluate other causes of fatigue and brain fog like: comprehensive thyroid testing and adrenal function testing.

Once we are able to identify that mitochondrial function is impaired, we will work to optimize it.  We may start by treating the cause of mitochondrial dysfunction such as detoxification or immune system support.  We will always address dietary and lifestyle factors affecting mitochondrial function.  For example, intermittent fasting has demonstrated many improvements to symptoms. Also, consuming a diet that is high in antioxidants may help lower the oxidative burden.  Antioxidants come from all your brightly colored fruits and veggies.  We recommend eating foods of every color of the rainbow every day.  The foods that stain your fingers are highest in antioxidants like:  pomegranates, beets, carrots, berries, and spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, and green tea.  

High intensity interval training has also been shown to improve mitochondrial function.  This may be hard to convince patients who are already fatigued, but adding in high intensity exercises like 15 minutes of HIIT workout has been shown to improve energy levels.  I usually have my patients start slow and build up in time.  For those that are too fatigued to start an exercise program, we recommend they end their showers on cold--just a short burst to make you gasp.  This has been proven to raise dopamine levels which helps with energy and mental clarity. 

Nutrients that may improve mitochondrial function and we often evaluate which ones would be most beneficial for your specific health issues.

Mitochondrial health not only assists with energy and mental clarity, but it is also playing a key role in the health in any patient with chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes and dementia to name a few.  It is an important factor to healthy sustainable weight loss.  New studies are also showing that supporting the mitochondrial may slow down cell turnover which helps with anti-aging and longevity. 

Schedule an appointment today to help identify the cause of your fatigue and learn how to optimize your health naturally.