Mitochondrial Support

Loss of function in mitochondria, the key organelle responsible for cellular energy production, can result in the excess fatigue and other symptoms that are common complaints in almost every chronic disease.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by a loss of efficiency in the electron transport chain and reductions in the synthesis of high-energy molecules, such as adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP), is a characteristic of aging, and essentially, of all chronic diseases.

These diseases include:

• Neurodegenerative diseases:
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Friedreich’s ataxia
• Cardiovascular diseases:
  • Atherosclerosis and other heart and vascular conditions
• Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Autoimmune diseases:
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  •  Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Type 1 diabetes
• Neurobehavioral and psychiatric diseases:
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar and mood disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Fatigue illnesses:
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome and Gulf War illnesses
• Musculoskeletal diseases
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Skeletal muscle hypertrophy/atrophy
• Cancer and chronic infections

It is well known that mitochondrial genetic or primary mitochondrial disorders contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and secondary or acquired degenerative disorders. But nongenetic or acquired mitochondrial impairments could contribute to many illnesses, and replacement treatment with natural supplements and combinations of natural supplements, including vitamins, minerals, enzyme cofactors, antioxidants, metabolites, transporters, membrane-type phospholipids, and other natural supplements, can reduce significantly the fatigue and other symptoms associated with chronic disease and can naturally restore mitochondrial function, even in long-term patients with intractable fatigue.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is directly related to excess fatigue. Although mild fatigue can be caused by a number of conditions, including depression and other psychological conditions, moderate to severe fatigue involves cellular energy systems. At the cellular level, moderate to severe fatigue is related to loss of mitochondrial function and diminished production of ATP.

As a result of aging and chronic diseases, oxidative damage to mitochondrial membranes impairs mitochondrial function. As an example, individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome present with evidence of oxidative damage to DNA and lipids such as oxidized blood markers and oxidized membrane lipids, that is indicative of excess oxidative stress.

A number of natural supplements have been used to treat non-psychological fatigue and mitochondrial dysfunction. These supplements include those containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, metabolites, enzyme inhibitors and cofactors, mitochondrial transporters, herbs, and membrane phospholipids such as l-carnitine, Alpha-lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), membrane phospholipids, and other supplements. Combinations of these supplements can reduce significantly the fatigue and other symptoms associated with chronic disease and can naturally restore mitochondrial function, even in long-term patients with intractable fatigue.

List of Ingredients/Agents That Used or Suggested for Treatment of Mitochondrial Dysfunction