Even though the brain only weighs about three pounds, did you know that it uses 20 percent of the body’s energy? And what powers those hard-working brain cells, you ask?
The power source of brain cells, as well as most other cells types, is mitochondria. (Getting high school biology flashbacks? Don’t worry! We’re going to keep this simple.)
So if your brain relies on cellular energy…
…and cellular energy is powered by mitochondria…
…what powers the mitochondria?
So how do you fuel the mitochondria in order to get the most out of your brain and body? Check out five ways you can optimize mitochondria functionality in your body!
#1 Follow the Sun
Getting some sun is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. (Not to mention, it’s free!) Sunlight can help strengthen your bones by providing natural sources of Vitamin D. This vitamin for mitochondrial support helps mitigate conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition most common during the winter months when there are fewer daylight hours.
As for mitochondria, sunlight changes the structure of water, negatively charging the water in your cells. This activates the cells and improves mitochondrial function.
(It’s important to manage when and how you get sunlight. You don’t want too much midday sun without sunscreen or you risk sunburns, which can increase your chances of melanoma.)
#2 Plunge the Temperature
Shocking your body with short-term bursts of exposure to cold temperatures can trick the body into survival mode. This stimulates new mitochondria. Twenty second bursts at approximately 32 degrees,three times a week is enough to encourage new growth. A few ways to do this:
- Take a cold shower
- Take a polar plunge
- Walk shirtless in cold temperatures
This is very literally, “That which does not kill you, makes you stronger.”
#3 Fat for Fuel
Consuming healthy fats instead of processed sugars provides a healthier and far more efficient source of fuel for mitochondria. Limiting sugar intake also reduces the free radicals that are produced as a byproduct.
A study published in February 2016 by researchers at Yale showed that neural mitochondria in the brain feel the change of a glucose surge (aka “sugar rush”). Not only can mitochondria detect surges, they adapt and change their shape and function. This adaptation may show that the brain could be involved in the development and propagation of type 2 diabetes.
Also, consider that for generations, before the dawn of the age of electricity and natural gas, animal fat was used for fuel. Again, this is because fat provides a steady, slower-burning source of fuel.
Look to healthy fats for mitochondria nutritional support!
#4 Movement Matters
It seems with every new era of technological developments, humans become more sedentary: the Industrial Revolution, the innovation of the assembly line leading to affordable cars, and the dawn of the Information Age. Each epoch resulted in less required movement. The average American is sedentary for 10-13 of their waking hours. This is not including your time asleep!
It’s the mitochondria that suffer as a result. Mitochondria thrive on movement, exercise and activity. Keeping your brain and body sharp means moving more. Incorporate movement throughout your day. Whether it’s a ten-minute walk at lunch, working out before or after the office, or finding an activity to enjoy on the weekends, movement matters. They say variety is the spice of life. Apply that to moving for your mitochondria!
#5 Little Fasts Are a Big Deal
You may have heard of intermittent fasting (IF) lately. These days, it’s all the rage, with a host of studies, blogs and schools of thought eager to tout its benefits. (There are also quite a few experts debunking IF, but that’s for another time.) For the purposes of powering the powerhouse, yes, intermittent fasting can have a big and positive impact.
Incorporating IF into your life a few times a week is enough to boost your mitochondria. While there is a plethora of detailed information available online, IF – simplified – involves limiting yourself to windows of “eating time” and “fasting.” It’s as simple as restricting your caloric intake to 4-8 hours a day (instead of the average 12) and fasting for 16-20 hours.
During intermittent fasting, mitochondria become more efficient at consuming oxygen, increasing longevity, improving functionality, and stimulating new growth.
Power Up: Vitamins for Mitochondrial Support
Using these easy, free tools can boost functionality and increase longevity of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of your cells, brain and body. With mitochondrial support supplements like Neuro Vite Plus, you can provide even more fuel for the powerhouse of the cell.
Explore Neuro Vite Plus, which includes PQQ and Coenzyme Q10, two essential ingredients for nourishing your body’s mitochondria and supporting the cell’s energy distribution!