You may hear mitochondria called “the powerhouse of the cell.” Mitochondria are an energy factory. The job of mitochondria is to process oxygen and convert substances from the foods you eat into energy. Mitochondria exist in nearly every cell in the human body.
This form of energy is a molecule called ATP (from adenosine triphosphate), and the process is called cellular respiration. Because mitochondria generate around 90 percent of all ATP produced in the body, they are known as “the powerhouse of the cell.”
When mitochondria work at their best, cells get enough energy and cellular processes go smoothly. But when mitochondria don’t work right, they start to get damaged, which slowly turns off the processes inside cells.
Boosting mitochondria can help us live a long and healthy life but the question still remain as to How can we boost our mitochondria ?
1) Essential Nutrients: The B vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and other nutrients, such creatine, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, are examples of essential nutrients. They can be obtained naturally from unprocessed foods such fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, fish, and meat, or they can be taken as supplements through IV therapy.
2) Calorie restriction
Reducing calorie intake (through fasting diets, for example) is the most successful approach to enhance longevity.
3) Resistance Training Exercises
Exercise is also one of the best ways to improve mitochondrial production and function in muscles that are getting older. This can help slow down the loss of mitochondrial activity and health that comes with getting older.
4) Vitamin D Supplementation
Vitamin D is needed for mitochondria to work, and people who don’t get enough vitamin D can improve their muscles’ mitochondrial oxidative capacity by taking vitamin D supplements.
5. Red Light Therapy
A molecule known as cytochrome C oxidase can be stimulated by red and near-infrared light, which can pass through the skin and work on mitochondria which makes ATP. Red and near-infrared light make the electron transport chain in mitochondria work better and help make more energy.
6. Infrared sauna
Also, infrared sauna treatment can cause biological responses that are good for you. Heat is a mild form of stress that makes cells react in ways that help them adjust. One of the main parts of this adaptation is mitochondria. Heat stress causes mitochondria to change in a way that makes them work better.
7) Therapy with NAD+
NAD+ (from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a molecule derived from vitamin B3 found in every single cell in the body. NAD+ has a key role in mitochondrial function: It is the main molecule responsible for the delivery of the electrons that are extracted from food to the electron transport chain for ATP production. NAD+ is therefore as important for cells as ATP itself. Consequently, NAD+ is essential for the maintenance of health.