In theory, about 2 billion years ago, a bacterium of the genus Rickettsia parasitized a eukaryotic cell (nuclear cell) which during evolution formed an endosymbiosis.

The bacterium would have lost the majority of these genes or it would have been transferred to the nucleus of the host cell.

Modern mitochondria are all descendants of this endosymbiosis.

Mitochondria and is the only part of animal cells to have its own DNA, in animals (including us), during sexual reproduction, almost all mitochondria and derived from the maternal pathway.

Mitochondria are considered as the energy centers of cells, they convert the energy of organic molecules resulting from digestion (glucose, lipid, protein) into energy that can be used directly by the cell (ATP).

They are omnipresent in our body, they feed every function and every organ of your body, except the red blood cells.

The more “active” a cellular tissue is, the more mitochondria there are in this tissue. This is the case, for example, of muscles and brain tissue.

The brain is the largest consumer of glucose, although it represents only 2% of the total body mass, the human brain consumes more than 20% of the total energy intake of the human body, which makes it a organs most concentrated in mitochondria.

But mitochondria are not invulnerable, from the fetal stage and/or during life, the accumulation of mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to aging, neurodegenerative diseases and many other diseases.

Here is a small, non-exhaustive list of diseases that mitochondrial dysfunction can cause:

• Growth retardation
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Diabetes
• Colorectal cancer
• kidney cancer
• Heart disease
• Autism
• Schizophrenia
• epilepsy
• Bipolar disorder
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Alzheimer's
• Parkinson's
• ...

how to take care of your mitochondria:

Thus, the importance of maintaining and improving the health of these mitochondria and developing new ones makes it possible to increase energy levels, improve physical health, immunity and even increase lifespan.

More mitochondria = More ATP = More energy.

Improving is his lifestyle:

Promote a diet rich in protein, limit processed foods, limit exposure to pesticides and antibiotics as much as possible.

Have good sleep hygiene, sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night ideally and go to bed at a regular time (respect your circadian cycle).

Lack of sleep increases the oxidative stress of mitochondria which damages them.

Exercising promotes biogenesis (the production of new mitochondria) and the elimination of damaged ones.

Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting promote mitochondrial biogenesis and improve mitochondrial function.

Exposure to cold (cold shower, cryotherapy, etc.) promotes biogenesis.

For example by ending your hot showers with 30 seconds of water as cold as possible. Even 30-90 seconds of cold water can have profound effects.

Supplements that support mitochondrial function:

⚠️ (These products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease(s).

• Creatine is a natural substance that plays a major role in recycling ATP in muscle and brain cells. Studies show that creatine is effective in restoring mitochondrial function, protecting against structural damage, oxidative stress, reducing the impact of mitochondrial DNA mutations and promoting biogenesis.

• Green tea (EGCG), one of the main active ingredients, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), accumulates in the mitochondria and activates a number of proteins related to the function and number of mitochondria.

• Hydroxytyrosol is a compound found in olive oil with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it improves mitochondrial function, prevents oxidative stress and increases mitochondrial biogenesis.

• Taurine is a sulfur amino acid present in relatively large amounts in several organs of the body, such as the heart and the brain. It makes up about 50-60% of your body's free amino acid pool. taurine is used in a variety of ways, from physical performance to bile synthesis. It protects the mitochondria from oxidative stress, optimizes the production of ATP.

• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is an acetylated form of L-carnitine. ALCAR is more easily absorbed by the brain. Its main function is the transfer of long chain fatty acids for energy generation (ATP) into the mitochondria and it removes toxic by-products.

• Alpha Lipoic Acid reduces mitochondrial dysfunction, reduces mitochondrial DNA damage, enhances mitochondrial antioxidant activity, and increases the number of mitochondria per cell.

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important compound found in every cell in the body. It is mainly located in the membrane of mitochondria, where it is used to produce energy and acts as a powerful antioxidant.

• Resveratrol is a small polyphenol abundant in the skin of grapes, it is also found in various berries, peanuts, soybeans and "Itadori tea" made from Japanese knotweed. it came to the attention of scientists in the 1990s. is an antioxidant, it may improve mitochondrial function and increase the number of mitochondria per cell.

• Pyrroloquinoline quinone (or PQQ), was first discovered as a cofactor for enzymatic reactions in bacteria, in which it performs a function similar to that of B vitamins in humans. It dramatically promotes the formation of new mitochondria, increases cellular energy production, and it's a remarkably effective antioxidant about 100 times more effective than vitamin C at scavenging free radicals.

• NAD+ Precursors (Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) Tryptophan (L-Trp) Nicotinic Acid (NA; also known as Vitamin B3) Nicotinamide (NAM, also known as “Redless Niacin”) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis , increasing fatty acid oxidation and activates a mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme.

• N-Acetyl L-Cysteine ​​(NAC), NAC is an amino acid and the precursor to a powerful antioxidant, glutathione, it helps your mitochondria by preventing and repairing damage caused by oxidative stress.

• D-ribose is a simple sugar, or carbohydrate, which is produced in our body from glucose, it is an essential component for the production of ATP,

• Quercetin is an organic compound from the flavonoid family, it is found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds and grains, red onions and kale are common foods containing high amounts of quercetin which boosts mitochondrial functions and decrease in the production of free radicals.

• Apigenin is a natural substance found in many different fruits and vegetables. It promotes mitochondrial functions, biogenesis and protects mitochondria from oxidative stress.

• Grape seed extract (GSE) is packed with specific polyphenols, proanthocyanidins. They are responsible for the dry mouth feeling you get when drinking red wine or berry juice, but they also act as a powerful antioxidants, they support mitochondrial biogenesis, it also supports mitochondrial structure and function.