Tuesday, October 3, 2017

How to Support Your Mitochondria for Better Brain Health

You can hope for no reason at all that your doctor has a protocol to help your mitochondria.
http://www.optimallivingdynamics.com/blog/how-to-support-your-mitochondria-for-better-brain-health-mental-boost-increase-optimize-restore-repair-function-depression-fatigue-energy-foods-supplements-naturally-biogenesis
It’s becoming increasingly clear that chronic dysfunction of mitochondria is another underlying factor that contributes to poor brain function and mental illness.
Mitochondria are unique structures within every cell of your body. You have trillions and trillions of them, making up approximately 10% of your total body weight. They are considered the “powerhouses of the cell,” generating most of the energy in your body by converting your nutrition into adenosine-5’- triphosphate (ATP). ATP is your body’s main source of cellular fuel. You are constantly using it, and your brain needs enough of it to work properly (106-107).
Along with your gut bacteria, your mitochondria are critically important and need to be supported to overcome depression and anxiety, and reach optimal brain and mental health.
Mitochondria are especially abundant in your brain cells and involved in many important biological processes in the brain, including the regulation of free radicals and neurotransmitters. In fact, monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters, is localized within the outer mitochondrial membrane (91-93).
So not surprisingly, numerous studies show that there is a correlation between impaired mitochondrial functioning in the brain and many psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, psychosis, panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety and other stress-related diseases (82-90, 94-100, 102-104).
Yes, you read that right. Every single one of those conditions has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. In fact, many researchers are convinced that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in almost every chronic disease (108-110).
Mitochondria dysfunction decreases ATP energy production and increases oxidative stress, which are commonly found in the brains of people suffering from brain and mental health disorders. Cognitive symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction can also include impairments in attention, executive function and memory. Unfortunately, a number of psychiatric drugs damage the mitochondria and worsen dysfunction (105).
But luckily, there are ways to halt and reverse mitochondrial decay.
Below are a number of strategies I’ve used over the years to support my mitochondria and you can use them to regain optimal brain and mental health.

Eat Nutrient-Dense, Whole Foods



Avoid Certain Foods and Ingredients


Eat More Essential Fats

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Resveratrol 

Caloric Restriction and Intermittent Fasting

Restricting your calories is one the best actions you can take to improve mitochondrial function. 

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) 

Ketogenic Dieting  

B Vitamins

Ribose 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) 

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) 

Magnesium

Acetyl-Carnitine (ALCAR) and R-Lipoic Acid (RLA) 

Conclusion

Paying attention to your mitochondria is crucial for optimal brain and mental health, and luckily there are a number of dietary and lifestyle habits that can protect and support mitochondrial function.The following steps will ensure your body and brain have healthier and more abundant mitochondria: Eat nutrient-dense, whole foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables Avoid refined sugars, processed flours, industrial oils, trans fats, gluten and dairy
Eat organic grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish, or supplement with krill oil
Exercise
Try LLLT
Restrict calories and/or intermittent fast
Follow a cyclic ketogenic diet
Supplement with Resveratrol, NADH, B Vitamins, Ribose, CoQ10 and PQQ, Magnesium, ALCAR and/or RLA
Over time, if you follow these strategies, you can improve your mitochondrial health and naturally restore your mood and energy levels.
Please share this post with one of your friends or family members who you think might benefit from protecting and supporting their mitochondria, because it really is an underappreciated and unknown aspect of optimal brain and mental health.
Details at link.


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