Mitochondria are membranous, slightly elongated structures contained within the cytoplasm of almost all eukaryotic cells. Using aerobic respiration, they take oxygen and the compounds in our food to make energy (in the form adenosine triphosphate, known as 'ATP').
Each cell contains the appropriate amount of mitochondria relative to its energy use. That means organs such as the heart contain a lot of mitchondria, infact each cell of your heart contains around 5000 mitochondria. When we lose mitochondria or they begin to malfunction, it can increase our risk of 'dis-ease'.
It is thought that mitochondria were originally independent bacterial entities which at some point over a billion years ago (through much trial and error) entered other bacterial cells and decided to partner up. This moment was monumentous, you could argue this was the beginning of complex life as we know it.
Two important cycles that occur within the mitochondria for energy production are the the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and the electron transport chain (ECT). Think of these like factory lines, they need to be flowing freely in order for energy to be generated efficiently. During normal oxidative phosphrlation (whereby ATP is formed by electron transfer) about 2 percent of the oxygen consumed is converted to superoxide (a type of free radical). This is where nutrition comes, anti-oxidants from our diet help to mop up the free radicals formed by energy production. Unfortunately, making energy comes with exhaust.
So what do mitochondria need to function properly?
- Magnesium: In order for ATP be 'activated', it needs to form a complex with magnesium.
- B Vitamins: These are like the workers on the factory line, helping to pass energy from one cycle to another. Each B vitamin has a specific role, for example riboflavin (B2) plays a key role in shuttling electrons from the TCA and cobalamin (B12) is needed to generate s-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) which is part of the protein sub unit that makes up the ECT.
- COQ10: You can think of COQ10 as the oil in the factory, it helps to keep things running smoothly. It can regenerate free radicals and soothe them back into the ECT.
- PQQ: Otherwise known as pyrroloquinoline quinone, helps control redox processes in the mitochondrial, essentially balancing oxidative stress as well as stimulating energy production.
- B3: We need B3 or niacinamide to manufacture NADH (energy carrier) and to supply protons for oxidative phosphorylation.
- Copper: Copper is a cofactor in the ECT so that ATP can be released, it also plays a key role in mitochondrial signaling and mitophagy.
Given mitochondria's role in the body, mitocondrial may be the key to unlocking the process of aging itself. According to this theory, with age, mitochondria accumulate ROS-induced damage and become dysfunctional. With time, the function of cells declines causing aging and subsequent death. Many things can induce oxidative stress in humans, including not having the necessary cofactors for making energy. Remember, making energy makes exhuast. The more we can buffer this exhaust, the better.