Thrive Magazine / Issue 20 Winter 2018
Feeding Your Immune System Keeping Your Mitochondria Healthy Nourishing your mitochondria may be fundamental to staying healthy this winter. Thrive Expert Victoria Hamilton gives some tips on keeping these power houses inside our cells in tip top shape. You may have come across the word ‘mitochondria’ recently or perhaps you recall it from a school biology lesson and know that its associated with your cells and energy production in the body. It’s a new area of focus in human health and not without due cause. A human cell is made up of many functions and organelles, which are enclosed within a strong cell wall. The mitochondria are an integral part of your cells which have many complex roles. Recent research is now suggesting that the mitochondria is the back bone of your immune system and without it functioning correctly, we either have an increased susceptibility of getting sick or we are more at risk of chronic illnesses such as autoimmune diseases.
Emerging evidence is suggesting mitochondria has a role in recruiting essential immune cells in your first line of defense against bacteria and viruses.
Nourishing your mitochondria could improve your immune health, rather than targeting it directly with conventional treatments such as immune boosters like echinacea or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
Emerging evidence is suggesting mitochondria has a role in recruiting essential immune cells in your first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. Mitochondria may also be responsible for activating ‘cell suicide’ which ensures that any cells which are not working properly such as those associated with cancer and autoimmune disease are destroyed.
The “powerhouse” of your cells
Your immune army
Mitochondrion is a small organelle within your cells which has long been understood for its ability to turn sugars into the energy ATP which our bodies then use for biological processes. It provides essential energy to organs such as the heart, brain and muscles. Much like an engine in a car that burns fuel to power a car to drive, your mitochondria provide the energy in your cells to help them work optimally. This mighty organelle in your cells has its own separate DNA from the 23 chromosomes found in the human 12
genome and is passed down through the mother’s genes, so any genetic inheritance is on the mother’s side only.
The immune system is a complex arrangement of immune cells which all have a specialised function, like the duties of an army, whereby some cells attack, others recruit more immune cells and some cells specialise in memorising the enemy, so they are well prepared for any further conflicts with the
same opponent. All these cells require energy from ATP to do their jobs properly so any deficit in energy because of mitochondrial dysfunction, can lead to either a lethargic immune response to the ‘enemy’ resulting in infection or defective military tactics on the battlefield. This can lead to inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Mitochondria also have a role to play in fighting off infection and injury to provide protection and promote healing. In mitochondrial dysfunction when the immune cells are not monitored properly, they can cause damage to healthy tissue by targeting our own cells. It is therefore essential that mitochondria are nourished with the right nutrients so that they can act properly when we need them to protect us from bugs without causing damage to your own body.
