Power-Up Your Energy and Create Vibrant Health!
It seems when we are young, we have boundless energy – off the charts energy and when we are older, energy can be elusive. Many people suffer each and every day from low energy or fatigue. You do not have to live your life trying to muster up the energy – to even get motivated to do an activity!
One of the hallmarks of aging is a rapid decline in cellular energy. Have you seen frail, elderly people who move very slowly, almost as if their legs and arms can barely move? As we age we lose precious cellular energy. This energy is truly our fountain of youth and it is created within our cells – in our mitochondria.
Mitochondria are structures within our cells that are responsible for energy production. The mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, and are responsible for the generation of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). This energy that is produced is why we are living and breathing. Once ATP production becomes less and less, we lose energy.
Unfortunately, aging cells have a diminished ability to produce ATP due to changes in mitochondrial structure and function – unless we intervene or support our cellular energy production.Research indicates that mitochondrial DNA mutations begin accumulating in individuals starting in their mid-thirties which contributes to the decreased energy that so many people experience with increasing age. By the way, the loss of muscle mass and function seen with aging is associated with mitochondrial damage in muscle cells. Scientists now recognize mitochondrial dysfunction as a key biomarker of aging.
The go-to choice when feeling a lack of energy or dragging feeling is a stimulant, a central nervous system stimulant, such as coffee, sugar, red bull etc. This gives a short period of energy as opposed to energy production at a cellular level for health and longevity.
Supplementation is the best strategy for anti-aging and energy strategies to create optimal health, boundless energy, to protect your health and increase longevity – in other words, you will help create vibrant energy, dynamic health and prevent frailty as an elderly person…remember, the lack of energy is cumulative.
Below are a few nutrients (that act synergistically) that I feel are critical in producing healthful and natural cellular energy that you cannot get an adequate amount from diet alone.
CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 alleviates fatigue, improve physical performance, and decreases the recovery period with any physical activity. CoQ10 decreases with age, which contributes to age-related mitochondrial dysfunction.
PQQ
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone) is a natural enzyme cofactor that is an essential compound capable of mitochondrial regeneration. PQQ is a powerful antioxidant with a 5,000 time greater capacity to quell free radical damage compared to vitamin C. This prevents damage to the mitochondria, and it prevents the decline that has been shown to initiate disease and energy decline.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
NAC supplementation help decrease age-related memory loss and NAC supplementation directly improves mitochondrial energy production. NAC also exhibits antioxidant properties of its own, counteracting the effects of oxidative damage and protecting the mitochondria from damage.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant and has the ability to protect and repair age-induced mitochondrial damage, improving energy production. Supplementation with lipoic acid has dramatic effects on improving age-related declines in mitochondrial function.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Carnitine plays an important role in fatty acid metabolism and is essential for mitochondrial energy production. Numerous diseases (not just fatigue and loss of muscle) are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as Metabolic Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and diabetes, among others. Fatigue, in particular, is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Help your body to create not only vibrant youthful energy, but optimal health as well with these critical nutrients. Be a part of your life instead of a by-stander.
Here’s to your health and youthful energy!
~Lori