Low energy is probably the number 1 complaint I hear in practice. A tired feeling that isn't made better by rest or extra sleep. Feeling completely drained by the end of the day. Not enough energy to do what you need and want to do. Read on, we'll talk about it...
Energy production in the human body is a complex process that involves various nutrients and compounds. There are many nutrients that help with the chemical reactions that help our bodies create energy in the Mitochondria or "powerhouse of the cell". Magnesium, B vitamins, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and iron all play important roles in this process:
Magnesium:
Role: Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for energy production. It acts as a cofactor for many enzymes involved in energy metabolism, particularly in the conversion of carbohydrates and fats into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy currency.
Function: Magnesium helps activate ATP and is required for the function of enzymes involved in glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation, which are key steps in energy production.
B Vitamins:
Role: B vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin), play crucial roles in energy metabolism.
Function: B vitamins serve as coenzymes, which means they assist enzymes in various energy-producing reactions. For example, they are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10):
Role: CoQ10 is a compound that is found in the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles in cells. It plays a central role in the electron transport chain, which is the final stage of aerobic respiration where ATP is generated.
Function: CoQ10 acts as an electron carrier, shuttling electrons between protein complexes in the electron transport chain. This process helps generate a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane, which is used to synthesize ATP.
Iron:
Role: Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen to tissues. Oxygen is necessary for the oxidative phosphorylation step of ATP production in the mitochondria.
Function: Iron binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it to cells throughout the body. Without sufficient iron, oxygen delivery to cells is compromised, leading to fatigue and reduced energy production.
In summary, these nutrients and compounds are essential for different aspects of energy production in the body. Magnesium and B vitamins are involved in various enzymatic reactions that break down nutrients into ATP, while CoQ10 plays a key role in the electron transport chain's final step, and iron is vital for oxygen transport to support energy production.
If you are struggling with Energy, it might be time to take a look at the health of your mitochondria (where energy is produced) and to make sure you are getting enough of these nutrients so that you can produce the energy you need. Lab testing can help you know what's going on so that you can create the right diet and (if necessary) supplement strategy.
One of my favorite products to support the health of the mitochondria is called Mitocore. You can check it out on my fullscript ordering platform.
If you would like to reach out to see if we can help you with a specific health concern, please click below to schedule your free Discovery health call. We are here to help!
To your health!
Dr. Jeni
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