Each cell in our body needs nourishment with the proper nutrients, but what are they? We have unique needs so it may not be easy to give general recommendations. How do we figure out what nutrients should come from our food, and which should be supplemented? Is there a way to figure out what specific nutrients are lacking or in excess and may be causing our cells to malfunction? We are going to understand how to measure and how to feed our cells and slow down the aging process.
Mitochondria :
The name of the game is to keep our mitochondria and our DNA healthy. Mitochondria are in every cell to produce energy. We traditionally think of them as batteries. Different cells in the body have different amounts of mitochondria in them, so if the cell has an exceedingly high energetic requirement, such as a heart muscle cell, it has more of these battery packs in the cell compared to a fat cell, for example. What is less known is that mitochondria play more than an energetic role. They regulate calcium flux in and out of the cell. Mitochondria are intricately involved in responding to the immediate “innate” response to our immune system. This direct response for viral infections is newer information about which we are learning. The mitochondria will also decide when it is time to repair a cell or kill it off if it too defective or old. Finally, we now know that mitochondria also help to regulate our stem cells, which are the genesis cells that differentiate into specific cells and aid in repair of the body.
Testing nutrients:
There is a whole host of reasons why our nutrients may decline in our cells. We could simply lack the proper nutritional intake. We could be damaging our batteries with medications, such as statins. We could have toxin exposures or radiation damage leading to diminished production of energy, and there are ways through urine and blood that can help us assess potential snags along the way that are diminishing the ability to manufacture energy (ATP). Organic acid testing can determine which levels are high or low. Direct measurements of these cofactors are also quite easy to assess. Assessing toxins, infections, and damaging compounds is also within our arsenal. There are key nutrients responsible for these organic compounds to keep the energy links in the chain moving efficiently. There are certainly ways to assess mitochondrial respiration that looks at oxygen consumption and glycolysis, but that is a discussion for another day. We are looking at the key nutrients within the cell that need to process these reactions along. We also need the cell, itself, to be healthy, so supplying the cell with the building blocks to keep its fortress strong and healthy also is considered in our testing strategies. This testing is certainly outside of the usual testing paradigm in the traditional arena, so start looking at functional practitioners to guide your assessment. Many of these tests simply require urine or blood and have kits that can be sent to your home for you to send back to the lab when you are finished collecting your sample.
Feed your cells:
After an assessment of the nutrients, you should have a reasonable idea of which amounts are most essential to your daily regimen. Co Q- 10, Omega-3 fatty acids, alpha lipoic acid, b-vitamins, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E are mandatory. Magnesium, as the spark plug in the cellular functioning, is also part of a daily requirement. There are lesser-known compounds such as l-carnitine and PQQ that can get energy in the cell to the mitochondria and increase the number of mitochondria. Glucose is interesting because some is used with oxygen but too much will put stress on the mitochondria. Adding in organic compounds such as resveratrol and turmeric provides a full compliment of antioxidants to help with any cellular damage repair.
Sources of cellular food:
Not all food is created equally, and we strive for each calorie to be packed with vitamins, co-factors, and nutrients. We do not just want calories that are wasted as in the case of carbohydrates, sugars, breads, and pastas. Throw those away! Quality protein such as grass-fed beef, organic and free-range chicken and eggs, fish, and nuts would supply of the l-carnitine, Co Q-10, b vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. The alpha-lipoic acid component can be found in spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, and carrots. Add in leafy greens and some of the seeds to round out your vitamin ingestion. Important to note that fewer meals and intermittent fasting is good for the health of the mitochondria. When diet is not enough, you should certainly target the reasons why mitochondria have been injured, and supplementing with a medical grade supplement can add in those exact nutrients you are missing or deficient in. Many of the supplements will contain food substances that supply over all good cellular health as well. High-grade medical nutraceuticals are the best you can use. They should be prescribed under supervision.
A note about other energy sources:
Keep in mind that in so many of my discussions we need to address the energy component as well. These food sources help with the energy currency of ATP production which involves chemistry that releases energy. We also have a resonating biofield outside of our bodies, within our meridians and chakras, and down at our DNA level. Keep in mind the benefit of certain EMF of pulsed EMF, light, electric, microcurrent, and life force are required for DNA and mitochondrial health. On the other side, too much bombardment of radiation, EMF, electricity can harm the mitochondria. Just as sunlight is required for photosynthesis in our plants, we require it for vitamin D production, and many of our innovative treatments will start supplying our cells with the energy as well as the nutrients required to prevent the cells from aging.
