Mitochondria are tiny double membrane-bound organelles found in almost every cell of all organisms except bacteria. Known as the “powerhouse of the cell” they are primarily responsible for converting the air we breathe and the food we eat into energy that our cells can use to grow, divide and function.
Mitochondria are tiny double membrane-bound organelles found in almost every cell type of all organisms except bacteria. Known as the “powerhouse of the cell” they are primarily responsible for converting the air we breathe and the food we eat into energy that our cells can use to grow, divide and function.
Given this, it is no surprise that cells that require the most energy, such as those in the brain, heart, liver and muscle, have the highest number of mitochondria in them (liver cells can have over 2,000). The only cells in humans which do not contain mitochondria are our red blood cells.
In addition to producing energy, mitochondria are responsible for many other tasks including producing cell signalling molecules, regulating vital calcium levels, producing body heat and killing off cells that have become unviable.
The most popular theory about the origin of mitochondria is that they were once bacteria that were engulfed by more advanced single-cell organisms. These bacteria survived that process and formed a symbiotic relationship with the organisms. This provided an energy production advantage that has persisted through the evolution of more complex organisms, right to this very day.
Some of the strongest evidence for this theory is that mitochondria contain their very own tiny DNA sequence which is completely separate from that of the cell they are located in.
Mitochondria produce energy by turning glucose and oxygen into a chemical called ATP. ATP carries energy in its chemical bonds that the cellular machinery can use to function and grow. Once these bonds are broken and the energy is released, ATP is recycled by the mitochondria back to its active form to be used again. It is estimated that there are only around 250 grams of ATP in the average adult body, but due to this constant recycling, that same adult will go through their bodyweight in ATP every day.
Researchers have even calculated that elite marathon runners can burn through their bodyweight in ATP in a single 2-hour race!
When mitochondria produce ATP, they produce by-products known as free radicals. These free radicals are mostly highly-reactive oxygen compounds which, if not kept in check, can react with (oxidise) and damage other parts of the cell such as the mitochondrial membranes and the cell’s DNA. When this happens, mitochondria can become inefficient at producing energy, DNA can become corrupted, and the cell cannot perform its various tasks as it should. This “cell stress” can cause a person to suffer from low energy levels. It is also thought to be a major contributor to the aging process itself.
When mitochondria produce ATP, they produce by-products known as free radicals. These free radicals are mostly highly-reactive oxygen compounds which, if not kept in check, can react with (oxidise) and damage other parts of the cell such as the mitochondrial membranes and the cell's DNA.
Thankfully there are several different types of natural antioxidant molecules inside mitochondria (and the rest of the cell) which neutralize these harmful free radicals and protect the cellular machinery from damage. When we are young and healthy, our mitochondria produce lots of energy and we have plenty of natural antioxidants to fight free radical damage. However, as we age our mitochondria begin to decline in function and they produce less antioxidants to fight oxidative stress. We don’t have the energy we once had, the visible signs of aging start to appear which significantly impact our quality of life.
First, to grasp the sheer scale of mitochondria’s impact on our overall health, consider this: Each of us has quadrillions (that’s thousands of trillions) of these energy factories in our bodies.
Each mitochondrion is filled with some 17,000 biochemical assembly lines, all designed to produce a molecule called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP — our bodies’ major, most elemental fuel.
The more energy a tissue or organ demands for proper function, the more mitochondria its cells contain. Mitochondria are especially abundant in the cells that make up our hearts, brains, and muscles.
In fact, the heart is so energy-intensive that up to 40 percent of the space in its cells is taken up with mitochondrial power plants.
The density and health of the mitochondria in your organs and muscles are, to a large extent, a reflection of your current level of health and fitness (lean muscle tissue, for example, contains far more mitochondria than fat does, and a strong heart is likely to be denser with mitochondria than a weak one.)
The more healthy mitochondria your body contains, the better you’ll feel, and the more robust your metabolism will be. A mighty mitochondrial force translates to better energy and focus, and greater ability to sustain high levels of activity without fatiguing.
Mitochondria produce energy by breaking down food, then they release that energy in the form of ATP, along with some byproducts, like carbon dioxide, water and free radicals.
MitoQ is able to penetrate your mitochondria hundreds of times more effectively than regular CoQ10...
Discover how
CoQ10 is the most important of the natural antioxidants in our cells, and it also plays a vital role in the energy production process itself. As we age, our natural coQ10 reserves diminish leading to lower energy production and increased free radical damage.
Although we can take coQ10 supplements, next to none of it gets inside our mitochondria where it is needed most. This is because mitochondria produce their own coQ10 so they do not absorb it from the outside. Thankfully, scientists found a way around this problem when they discovered MitoQ® Mitoquinol.
MitoQ® Mitoquinol is a positively charged mitochondrial targeted antioxidant molecule attached. The positive charge allows MitoQ® Mitoquinol to be attracted to, and transported inside, negatively charged mitochondria. This unique property provides mitochondria with enough energy and antioxidants to significantly reduce oxidative damage like no other antioxidant can. This means that mitochondria can get on with their job of producing energy and neutralizing free radicals meaning our cells are able to repair themselves and get on with their numerous tasks and functions.
Caring for your mitochondria is one of the best ways to take care of your health — and enjoy better energy, metabolism, and mental focus in the process.
A: Mitochondria are tiny organelles found in most cells of our body. They are crucial for converting nutrients and oxygen into ATP, the primary energy currency of cells. Mitochondria are essential for energy production, cellular function, and overall health.
A: You can support mitochondrial health through several lifestyle changes:
A: Mitochondrial function tends to decline with age, contributing to the aging process. This decline can lead to decreased energy production, increased oxidative stress, and cellular damage. By supporting mitochondrial health, we may be able to slow certain aspects of the aging process and maintain better overall health as we get older.
A: MitoQ® Mitoquinol is an advanced form of CoQ10, a natural antioxidant important for mitochondrial function. Unlike regular CoQ10 supplements, MitoQ® Mitoquinol is designed to penetrate the mitochondrial membrane more effectively, potentially providing more direct support to mitochondrial function.
A: Yes, diet plays a significant role in mitochondrial health. A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense foods can support mitochondrial function. Conversely, processed foods, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats can stress mitochondria and impair their function.
MitoQ® Mitoquinol is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. It is a third generation CoQ10 that has been designed to reach the mitochondria. This supports mitochondrial function and supports optimal energy delivery to the cell.
