Where does energy come from?
So, where does this energy come from? Our mitochondria. Mitochondria create energy, or ATP (adenosine triphosphate), and are referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. To have adequate energy, mental clarity, happy hormones, glowing skin, stress resiliency, and overall health, we need well-functioning mitochondria. Mitochondria are responsible for producing cellular energy.
Our bodies contain trillions of cells. Inside each of them are vast numbers of tiny, energy-producing power plants called mitochondria. Mitochondria convert the food we eat and the air we breathe into ATP, a particular type of fuel that powers our cells, and in turn, us. We need this energy to make hormones, digest food and extract nutrients from those foods, detoxify, maintain healthy immune function, recover muscles, and more. Thinking, feeling, and looking our best all require healthy mitochondria.
Our mitochondria do a lot for us. At the same time, they are under a constant barrage of things that slow them down. Mitochondria are up against a lot these days with all kinds of stressors that cause it to divert resources away from the things we want it to (like keep us energized and glowing). Some of these stressors include things like: toxins, chemicals, mold, heavy metals, chronic low-grade inflammation, infections, stress, irregular circadian rhythms, sedentary lifestyles, and even some medications like certain antibiotics or birth control.
Everyone needs support sometimes
So how do you know if your mitochondria need some support? If our mitochondria aren’t working at their best, we’ll feel it. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the primary driver behind most chronic, degenerative conditions as well as aging itself. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs when the mitochondria don’t work as well as they should. Many conditions can lead to secondary mitochondrial dysfunction and affect other diseases, including Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s, and diabetes. We can also see mitochondrial trouble contributing to things like amenorrhea, hypothyroidism, fertility issues, and more.
Supporting mitochondria comes down to reducing the things that drain energy and adding in the things that support energy production. Here’s how we can help preserve the health of your current mitochondria as well as elicit the production of new mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis):
- Eat good quality, nutrient-dense, unprocessed food
- Get plenty of sleep (7-9 hours a night)
- Move our bodies daily
- Keep detox pathways open (sweating, hydrating, eliminating, deep breathing, supporting the lymphatic system, nourishing the liver)
- Taking cold showers
- Using red light therapy
- Filter our air and water
- Minimize toxins, plastics, preservatives, and chemicals
While almost all Clean products are going to be supportive of energy production, here are some of our favorites:
Clean 21 – Our Comprehensive Cleanse Program
Dr. Alejandro Junger designed Clean 21 with better energy and detoxification in mind. It focuses on flooding the body with necessary nutrients for optimal energy while decreasing exposure to toxins that negatively impact energy. The 21-Day Clean Program follows a simple daily routine of shakes, healthy foods, and beneficial supplements, allowing the body to restore its natural ability to heal itself.
In our 21-Day Clean Program, we recommend gentle intermittent fasting to gain these energy production benefits, along with digestive tract benefits too. While long-term effects of intermittent fasting have not been fully established, studies suggest that some fasting benefits may be linked to optimizing mitochondrial function, leading to improved energy production and overall health.
With intermittent fasting, it’s important to start slow and elongate your fasting window over time. With this being said, intermittent fasting is not ideal for those under tremendous stress, suffering from eating disorders, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Plant-Based Fuel
The Krebs cycle is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidization of acetate—derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins —into carbon dioxide. This is one of the most critical reaction sequences in biochemistry. The transformation of the foods that we eat into cellular energy in the form of ATP requires several micronutrients as coenzymes and cofactors of enzymatic reactions.
Daily Shake is a simple, delicious, and efficient way to flood the body with nutrients first thing in the morning. It helps assure that we get in the essential components that will help fuel our energy. Nutrients can protect against oxidative damage to mitochondria.
Green Energy
Matcha is very high in antioxidants, especially catechins. Its most potent catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG may fight or suppress inflammation in your body, help maintain healthy arteries, and promote cell repair. One study found that matcha contains up to 137x more antioxidants than a low-grade variety of green tea and up to 3 times more antioxidants than other high-quality teas.
Formally known as epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG is a type of plant-based compound called catechin. EGCG and other related catechins act as potent antioxidants that may protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive particles formed in your body that can damage your cells when their numbers get too high. Eating foods high in antioxidants like catechins may help limit free radical damage.
In addition, EGCG is known to be a mitochondrion-targeting medicinal agent, regulating mitochondrial metabolism, including mitochondrial biogenesis (mentioned above!), mitochondrial bioenergetics, and mitochondria-mediated cell cycle and apoptosis.
So what does this mean? To put it simply, matcha can help support our mitochondria’s health and, therefore, our energy.
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