Vital FIeld

Mitochondria: A Beginner’s Guide to the Powerhouse of the Cell

130 years after the first insights into the existence of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of cells, we’re still discovering new information about this significant and truly fascinating source of energy in our bodies.

As the critical subcellular organelles required for several metabolic processes they are, mitochondria play an important role in the proper function of the immune system.

These miniature energy plants inside the cells produce roughly 80 kg or 176 lbs of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) per day to meet 95% of our daily energy demand, in a complex and delicate electrochemical process that is extremely sensitive to lifestyle, nutrition, even our mindset.

How well we process this energy is particularly critical for the immune system, which happens to be the biggest energy guzzler in our body. Remember the last time when your immune system went online against a threat, prompting you to lie comatose between the sheets? That’s how much juice the immune system can command.

What’s good for the mitochondria, is good for the immune system.

SUPPORTING MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH

We can learn from the body’s subtle clues about nutrition, lifestyle, environment, and mindset – which signals wear us out, which spur us on. 

The more we become conscious of our energy triggers, the better we can steer our immune health. In this game, mindset usually beats chemistry.

Fear or anxiety, for example, activate stress hormones that shut down the immune system to conserve energy for fight or flight situations.

Mitochondria are delicate electrochemical energy plants that replicate, segregate, regenerate, and repair themselves if we give them the basic building blocks. And there is more to building blocks than just chemistry and mindset.

LEARNING FROM FREQUENCIES

Thanks to our dual, electrochemical nature, we can measure the energy of cells in terms of their voltage potential. The average membrane potential for a human cell is 70 millivolts or .07 volts. Biologist Bruce Lipton estimates that our total energy potential is therefore over 3.5 trillion volts since we have about 50 trillion cells. 

An actual lightning bolt, for comparison, cracks about a billion volts when it lights up the night sky. At our full potential, we roll with the might of 35,000 lightning bolts, figuratively speaking. 

It doesn’t mean that we should or could act like Zeus, necessarily. But it does tell us that our true energy potential has mythic potential when we know how to tap into it.

The energy produced by mitochondria defines how we experience life, and how well we adapt to threats.

In our bodies, high cellular voltage correlates with higher alkalinity and the cell’s ability to handle pathogens.

And since we’re both chemical and electric beings down to our smallest building blocks, we also react to both chemistry and frequencies.

Both human-made and natural radiation have an impact on living organisms, especially mitochondria, the most sensitive organelles in our body.

Our true health condition, the cumulative resistance we garner against pathogens, is an equation that goes far beyond bones, blood, and chemistry alone. 

People who’ve battled chronic disease for years or even decades demand answers that are more self-empowering, holistic, causative. 

How do I beat this thing with my own body?

The beauty of it is, we already have the answer inside our miniature energy plants. 

12 SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST MITOCHONDRIA

Nutrient-rich foods, sunlight, air, water, exercise, social activity, and a sense of purpose are some of the things that charge mitochondria. Chronic stress, toxins, processed foods, electrosmog, negative emotions like fear are some of the factors that drain them. In what proportions they charge or drain, is up to the individual. 

1. ADD SOME MOVEMENT

Regular exercise lowers risk of developing high blood pressure, keeps our bodies at a healthy weight, and helps us age well.

2. AVOID FEELING FULL

The more you eat, the more you cause mitochondria labor: processing food into cellular fuel is heavy work for them, whereas less food means more energy for other tasks, such as cellular regeneration.

3. TRY INTERMITTENT FASTING

The practice has lasting impact on your overall health. You can eat within a 6-hour window, for example, or do a water fast once per week.

4. TRY A KETOGENIC DIET

Mitochondria love ketosis, a metabolic state that can be caused by a ketogenic diet, which is high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. To keep them happy, answer carb and sugar craving with healthy fats instead of pasta, rice, and processed foods.

5. GET RID OF TOXINS

Drink clean water, breathe clean air, use only pure consumer care products, sweat, and poo at least once a day.

6. PERSONALIZE YOUR NUTRITION

Try a full metabolomic test to understand and address your individual needs by personalizing your nutrition strategy.

7. HUG, KISS, TOUCH

Touching is one of the highest energy sources available, so why not let mitochondria prosper with a caring hug?

8. SPEND TIME IN NATURE

Get exposed to nature’s wonders to feel happier, healthier, and more connected.

9. AVOID ELECTROSMOG

Create a cleaner electromagnetic environment by putting a timer on the Wi-Fi, using your landline instead of your cellphone, switching phone and router off for the night, and increasing distance from electrical cords and electric equipment.

10. GET PLENTY OF SUNLIGHT

Exposure to sunlight increases serotonin, which helps you feel calm and focused, and boosts your body’s supply of vitamin D, which is key to your immune health.

11. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Add a lemon squeeze to a glass of water at least twice a day. Drink at least three liters of water and avoid sweet, sugary drinks. Hydration has a major effect on energy levels and brain function.

12. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY MINDSET

Stay positive, practice gratitude, and spend time on stuff you enjoy!

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