Recharge your Energy, Nurture your Mitochondria

What are mitochondria?

They are little structures inside cells.  Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, since they generate energy from the nutrients of food.

• The food we eat contains basic nutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins that are transformed into glucose, fatty acids and amino acids during digestion.
• When they reach the inside of the cell, the are transformed into a common molecule, acetyl-CoA.
• Inside the mitochondrion, a series of chemical reactions take place and result in ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is known as the molecule of energy.

The number of mitochondrion varied from one cell to another. They can go from one to hundreds of thousands. What’s more, there are so many in the body, that they account for up to 10% of our body weight.

Why are mitochondria important?

Mitochondria are the engine of the body, the place where the energy needed to live is produced. We need energy to move or think, but also to complete any of the body’s functions. 

How can we “fuel” mitochondria?

Our diet is key so our mitochondria can carry out their mission and generate the energy that our body needs. In addition to basic nutrients - carbohydrates, fats and protein - certain vitamins and minerals are essential, since they are involved in multiple intracellular reactions that result in the formation of ATP.

In case of noticing fatigue, mental and physical tiredness... then, supplementing our diet with a food supplements to help us improve mitochondrial function may be an option. These are some of the basics to help your mitochondria generate more energy: 

• VITAMINS Specially those of the B group. They take part in food transformation processes so, when they lack, we’ll be more tired or feel the lack of energy.
• NADH it is the biological form of vitamin B3 and it is key to produce energy inside the cell. NADH is responsible of catching and transporting hydrogen in the mitochondrion. This is essential in order to produce ATP molecules.
• CARNITINE Is an amino acid responsible for transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria. In particular, it helps long-chain fatty acids to cross the internal barrier, so they can oxidise and produce energy.
• MINERALS Manganese, selenium, chromium and zinc are essential minerals to achieve optimal levels of energy.

This way, you would be able to face a long and intense day or to be prepared for those moments in which a high mental agility is needed. 

6 routines to charge you up

Start the day with some exercise. Thanks to physical activity, the body releases endorphins, “the hormones of happiness”. Some yoga to start the day increases the feeling of ell-being.

Take a shower. Take a shower when waking up and finish it with some seconds of cold water. This thermal contrast activates blood circulation.

Avoid processed foods. Food with refined sugars, trans fats...are energy burglars. These kinds of foods lack nutrients and, moreover, it takes a lot of energy to metabolise them.

Pay attention to your sleep routine. Usually, an inadequate sleep is one of the most obvious causes of fatigue. Try going to sleep at the same time, having a light dinner, avoiding high temperatures in the room and sleeping around seven hours per night. The aim is achieving a restful sleep.

Listen to some music. Different studies state the results of musical therapy in patients with certain diseases. In your daily life, select a playlist and press play. Music will help you cheer up and will make you fell happy.

Supplement your diet. In case you need to face a long and intense day or to be prepared for those moments in which a high mental agility is needed, you can look for a supplement:

• THEANINE. It is an amino acid that helps focusing and learning, notably when we are stressed. It helps regulating mood.
• SERINE is an amino acid involved in the synthesis of phosphatidylserine and, thus, helps improving memory.
• ROYAL JELLY is the food of the queen bee for its life and that of the offspring in their first days of life. It increases vitality, stimulates appetite, improves the feeling of physical and mental fatigue, and enhances the immune system.
• PROPOLIS is a viscous substance made by bees and used to protect the hive. It is known as a natural antibiotic and stands out thanks to it ability to enhance the organism’s defences.

GINSENG’s root has ginsenosides, the main active components that make this root so valuable. Iti increases the organism’s resistance to fatigue and stress, increases physical and intellectual performance, and improves the ability to focus.