More Than Just A “Power House”

Mitochondria produce most of the cellular energy, control cellular calcium levels, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulate cellular redox states, initiate cell death and are overall influencers of health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitochondrial function can be impaired by ROS accumulation. ROS is a natural byproduct of cellular processes, but the uncontrolled regulation of it can literally kill us. ROS can decouple mitochondrial membranes leading to inefficient mitochondrial function. It reduces its electro-chemical gradient which is responsible for driving the ATP synthase- ATP process. Thus, more calories will have to be burned per unit of ATP production (lost as heat).

I have listened to Pavel talk about how this actual reduction in efficiency is what makes HIIT training so effective at first, but crap out later if the person’s mitochondrial base isn’t “built up enough” for such a task. The excessive ROS decoupling repeated over and over again on a daily basis would be an example (no direct evidence, just a thought).

Regardless, mitochondrial function is critical for health and wellness. Excessive ROS accumulation leads to an inflammatory response, and your inflammation bucket is only so large. Add that to training induced inflammation and other stress and you might be at risk for illness, lack of recovery and possibly injury.

Our body is a system!

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