When we think about our body, imagine it is like a house. No matter how fancy the furnishings, pretty the painted walls nor how upscale the bathrooms are, if we have a crack in our foundation, then our house will always be at risk of collapse. Similarly, ensuring our body has a healthy foundation is key to lifelong health and vitality. This is the philosophy of Foundational Medicine.
Much of modern medicine focuses on treating the symptoms of illness or the system where dysfunction seems to be occurring. For example, if you are suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms like heartburn or if you have GERD, many doctors will prescribe prescription acid blockers to mask the symptoms. This does nothing to address the cause of the symptom. Maybe you are dealing with several conditions such as low thyroid function, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating or constipation. Then that means multiple drugs. Maybe imbalances in our microbiome are the root cause for all these issues, rather than simply an issue with your thyroid and your gut? Targeting and balancing the foundational aspects of our overall health like the gut microbiome is key to true healing. This includes a focus on mitochondrial health.
Although the health of gut microbiome, a key pillar of Foundational Medicine, is becoming more and more mainstream, mitochondrial health is now emerging as yet another crucial aspect of both health, as well a healthy aging.
Mitochondrial Function and Its Importance
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for generating the ATP, the energy currency of the cell. This energy is critical for various cellular functions, including muscle contraction, brain activity, and heart function. Given their role, mitochondria are abundant in energy-demanding tissues like the brain, muscles, and heart. Therefore, any impairment in the function of these tiny cellular components can have an impact on the overall health of the body and it can show up in many ways.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Disease
When mitochondrial function is compromised, the consequences are far-reaching:
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These conditions are characterized by the degeneration of specific neuron populations, where mitochondrial failure contributes to increased oxidative stress and cell death.
- Metabolic Disorders: Metabolic syndrome, which includes a cluster of conditions like hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia, is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Impaired mitochondrial function can lead to reduced oxidative capacity and increased insulin resistance, contributing to Type 2 diabetes.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: The heart relies heavily on ATP generated by mitochondria in cardiomyocytes. Any compromise in mitochondrial function can lead to heart disease, as the heart struggles to maintain its energy demands.
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. The exact mechanisms are still under investigation, but energy deficits in neurons may contribute to these conditions.
- Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases: In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and lupus, mitochondrial dysfunction can exacerbate inflammation and tissue damage. The role of mitochondria in modulating the immune response also links them to conditions like Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Fatigue-Related Conditions: Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and related disorders often involve near-failure of mitochondrial function, leading to severe energy deficits and persistent fatigue.
- Cancer and Chronic Infections: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a feature of cancer cells, which often exhibit altered energy metabolism to support rapid growth and survival. Chronic infections can also stress mitochondria, leading to prolonged illness and recovery challenges.
Further, if the mitochondrial theory of aging is accurate, preserving mitochondrial function would be key to slowing cellular aging and preventing related diseases. Here are several strategies that could help protect your mitochondria:
Mitochondrial Biogenesis
To counteract these effects, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis—the creation of new mitochondria—is crucial. Enhancing mitochondrial function can improve energy levels, cognitive function, and overall health, potentially delaying the onset of age-related diseases and enhance longevity.
In conclusion, mitochondrial health is central to preventing and managing a wide range of diseases. Strategies to support mitochondrial function, such as exercise, proper nutrition, and potentially mitochondrial-targeted therapies, are critical for maintaining optimal health and combating chronic diseases.
Focusing on foundational aspects like mitochondrial health, gut microbiome balance, and cellular function can have profound effects on overall well-being. These areas serve as the bedrock of our body’s systems, influencing everything from immune function and metabolism to mental health and aging.
When these foundational systems are optimized, the body is better equipped to heal, maintain energy levels, and resist disease. This holistic approach to health emphasizes addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than just treating symptoms, leading to more sustainable and effective healing and recovery. By nurturing these core areas, you are essentially providing your body with the tools it needs to thrive.
This is why Dr. Kellman’s expertise and unique approach focused on Foundational Health to address a variety of chronic conditions, results in true healing and recovery.
