In case you can’t remember 9th-grade biology, here is a refresher. Mitochondria are small structures in a cell that are found in the cytoplasm (the fluid that surrounds the cell nucleus). Mitochondria make most of the energy for the cell and have their own genetic material that is different from the genetic material found in the nucleus. As we age our mitochondria tend to wear out a bit leaving our energy “Power-plants” as they’re known a little diminished. The unfortunate thing is that as we age, our mitochondria face assaults that cause them to not function as well as they did in our youth. This is one of the reasons why you may not be able to work out as hard as you used to with age. My thought the other day is how can I nutritionally target my mitochondria with food. Enter the Mighty Mitochondria Pomegranate Smoothie Bowl!

I know personally my mitochondrial function has never been the same after a bout with Lyme disease in 2016. I went from running the NY marathon one week to literally barely being able to run a 1/2 mile a couple of weeks later. It took several years to regain most of their function.

Things that may impact mitochondria function:

Aging: There is a gradual decline in mitochondrial function. Mitochondria become less efficient in generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of the cell. This decrease in ATP production can affect the overall energy levels and functioning of various tissues and organs in the body.
Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations: Mitochondria have their own DNA separate from the nuclear DNA. Over time, mitochondria accumulate mutations in their DNA, and this accumulation is thought to contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Oxidative stress: Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular metabolism, but they also generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a byproduct. ROS can cause oxidative damage to various cellular component structures. As we age, the production of ROS increases, while the antioxidant defense mechanisms may decline. This imbalance can lead to increased oxidative stress and further damage to mitochondria.
Impaired mitophagy: Mitophagy is the process by which damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria are selectively removed and degraded. If you’ve heard of “autophagy”, mitophagy is pretty much the same thing just happening in the mitochondria vs the entire cell. As we age, there is a decline in mitophagy, leading to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria. This accumulation can further contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular damage.

This understanding of how mitochondria function declines had me asking what ingredients can I throw in a simple smoothie bowl that would increase Mitochondrial function. Urolithin A is a natural compound that has been shown to have potential benefits for mitochondrial health and function.

Mitochondria Boosting Ingredients!

Urolithin A can boost mitochondria via:

Activation of mitophagy: As mentioned above, we want to rid the body of the old and bring on the new!
Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis: Urolithin A has been shown to stimulate the production of new mitochondria, basically creating more energy power plants!
Activation of AMPK pathway: Urolithin A has been found to activate an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This plays a crucial role in cellular energy homeostasis and mitochondrial function.
Increased oxidative phosphorylation: By improving oxidative phosphorylation, Urolithin A can increase ATP production and overall mitochondrial energy output.
Reduction of oxidative stress: As stated above, oxidative stress can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and damage. Urolithin A has been demonstrated to possess antioxidant properties that can reduce mitochondrial damage.

This smoothie bowl contains the top ingredients to naturally boost Urolithin A in your body. In particular the pomegranate arils, berries, and walnuts.

Let me know if you give it a try on repeat and your mitochondria will thank you!

Cheers to your health! XDeeDee