The word Mitochondria may sound familiar as you dust off some memories of biology class in school – but do you know what they are and what role they play in our body?

What are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria is present in nearly all of the human cells and is vital for our survival. In short, the mitochondria turn food into fuel that is used to power our bodies daily. Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. Inside of these cells you will find small organelles (miniature organs within the cell) called mitochondria.   Mitochondria is commonly referred to as the “powerhouse” of our cells generating the majority of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is the energy currency of the cell.

Why is Ubiquinol important to Mitochondria health?

Our daily diet affects our mitochondrial energy. Our bodies and cells need optimal nutrients to perform at its best, turning food into fuel that will sustain energy levels throughout the day.  ^[1]

Our body produces a natural antioxidant called Ubiquinol (the active form of CoQ10 found in the mitochondria) that protects and supports the cell throughout the energy production process. ^[2] Optimal levels of Ubiquinol support optimal mitochondrial health. ^[3]

However, as part of our natural ageing process, starting at the age of 30, our body’s natural Ubiquinol production levels decrease.

Lifestyle factors such as toxins, poor diet, lack of sleep, and stress which may cause inflammatory reactions, may also cause Ubiquinol levels to decrease naturally.

So how do we bolster up our Ubiquinol intake to ensure optimal mitochondrial health? An excessive amount of sardines (more than 14kgs per day) or avocados (more than 60 per day) will see you increase your Ubiquinol intake naturally. However, a more practical and realistic approach would be to include 100mg of Ubiquinol in your morning supplement routine to support healthy mitochondrial health and wellness leading to optimal cellular energy.

Seek advice from a healthcare practitioner to determine if supplementation is right for you. Always read the label.

^[1] E. Wesselink, W.A.C. Koekkoek, S. Grefte, R.F. Witkamp, A.R.H. van Zanten., (2019) Feeding mitochondria: Potential role of nutritional components to improve critical illness convalescence, Clinical Nutrition, 38(3), 982-995. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561418324269 [Accessed 17 August 2021].

^[2] Pizzorno J. (2014). Mitochondria-Fundamental to Life and Health. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(2), 8–15.

^[3] Neergheen, V., Chalasani, A., Wainwright, L., Yubero, D., Montero, R., Artuch, R. and Hargreaves, I., (2017). Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Mitochondrial Disease. Journal of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, 5, p.232640981770777.