HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR MITOCHONDRIA

I've been working on a protocol for the last few weeks designed to fully enhance mitochondrial health, and as a result overall health and energy production

This is the basic framework that I'll be adding to over time

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Mitochondria are the primary cellular organs in humans and most all non-plant species

At one point they existed as independent bacteria, but were absobed by larger organisms and formed a symbiotic relationship, with the mitochondria making energy and the cell protecting it

All the energy in your body is produced in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is broken down and recycled throughout the day

ATP also serves as a cofactor for protein kinases, which modulate most of the body's functions through altering protein structures

ATP is produced through a combination of two mechanisms:

The first is a proton gradient, on one side of the mitochondria there are a large number of protons while on the other there are only a few, this keep protons constantly flowing in one direction driving energy production

The second is the flow of energy as electrons across the surface of the mitochondria

These electrons are harnessed through the electron transport chain, which is the other energy driver and how the body maintains proton flow

If you've recently taken a biology class or studied cellular function most of this likely hasn't been new information to you

However this is where we get into what I've found through the last few weeks diving deep into the literature and work of many mitochondrial researchers

It seems that melatonin is the master regulator of mitochondrial and overall bodily fuction

Based on everything you've heard about melatonin this will likely sound crazy, but I predict it will be widely accepted fact within a decade or two

Even now if you go to PubMed or another research database and search "melatonin mitochondria" you'll find hundreds of papers from which I've pulled this information

I have no idea why all this isn't being widely discussed, but here goes:

We typically think of melatonin as being produced in the brain at night, but it's likely produced in every mitochondria in the body, and the brain, throughout the day

In both places it serves different functions, and in all cases it's produced in response to red light

In the mitochondria melatonin is the master antioxidant

Free radicals are mitochondrial waste products, they are used to signal to the nucleus but in excess the damage DNA and become toxic

Melatonin modulates free radicals and keeps the cell functioning

Melatonin also downregulates NF-kB, the master inflammatory gene pathway

It activates SIRT3, a pathways associated with anti-aging benefits

It protects gene expression and prevents cellular injury, it modulates calcium channels

It even been shown to generate new mitochondria

Melatonin also stimulates a process called oxidative phosphorylation, the burning of fat for energy

This essentially undoes any damages done by carb consumption, converting inflammatory NADH to beneficial NAD+, and boosting ATP production

I believe this shows that carb consumption is not necessarily the issue, perhaps the greater problem is the loss of seasonal eating and lack of time spent in the sun

More sunlight = more melatonin = less inflammation/toxicity from carb consumption

In the brain melatonin has even more benefits

It still maintains all the effects listed above, but beyond that it is the master regulator for circadian rhythm, and even most hormone function

Do NOT supplement melatonin as it reduces your body's production, this is important

When red light hits the eye it triggers melatonin synthesis, just like in mitochondria

But while cell melatonin is active throughout the day, circulated brain melatonin is released progressively until it triggers sleep

Just remember, melatonin production starts in the morning

Melatonin increases testosterone activity by triggering the release of luteinizing hormone, it also inhibits aromatase, blocking testosterone -> estrogen conversion

It reduces cortisol, modulates dopamine and beta endorphin release, and increases sleep cycle stability

One of the most important functions of melatonin is to increase levels of DHEA

DHEA is the precursor to both testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, and therefore the cornerstone of the hormone system, it is actually the most abundant hormone in the body

DHEA is also key for ATP production, it activates a mitochondrial receptor class called the sigma receptors

When sigma receptors are activated they have a protective effect on mitochondria by blocking calcium channels, to put it simply this increases ATP production

Sigma receptors also promote free radical signalling to the nucleus

In moderation this increases ATP production, DHEA serves as the perfect counterbalance for melatonin's antioxidant effects

There's so much more I could go into here, but I want to shift focus to what I believe are the three pillars of optimal mitochondrial function, they are:

- SUNLIGHT

- WATER

- EMF

SUNLIGHT

Our bodies are entirely optimized around light exposure, we get mostly red and infrared light in the morning, a mix of blue and red light around noon, and more red and infrared light around sunset

Now remember that red spectrum light stimulates melatonin

This means that upon waking we need sunlight exposure, and optimally red spectrum light, this stimulates melatonin production throughout the day which equals more ATP and better sleep that night

Blue light (i.e. almost all artificial light) stimulates cortisol production, blocks melatonin production, and causes nitric oxide to pool in cells

Excess nitric oxide blocks the enzyme cytochrome C oxidase, which is part of the electron transport chain, crashing ATP production

Blue light = a mitochondrial toxin

When it's paired with sunlight the red and infrared light balances this out

Turn off your lights at night, spend as much time as possible in the sun, and watch the sunrise and sunset, you'll sleep better and live longer

WATER

The body is only able to produce a fraction of the ATP it needs per day from food, so where does it get the rest of it's energy?

From sunlight and water

That's right, humans photosynthesize, just not in the same way plants do

When sunlight hits water it causes protons and electrons to split off, these are used by mitochondria to make more energy

This process is enhanced by what's known as exclusion zone water, or EZ water, which forms in the body and pools electrons

The concept is too complex too explain here but look into the work of Gerald Pollock if you want to learn more

Dehydration is the biggest threat to this process, as it lowers the ability of mitochondria to form a proton gradient, which results in impaired ATP production

Which means DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

EMF

Electromagnetic fields can be both good and bad, we are perfectly adapted for the earth's magnetic field, and being closer to the earth actually has benefits

The practice of walking barefoot on the earth is known as grounding

Sunlight hits the earth resulting in buildup of free electrons, our bodies absorb these when we walk on it, this result in less inflammation and free radicals, and more ATP production https://twitter.com/SolBrah/status/1254966351476785153?s=19

EMF from your cellphone, computer, wifi, etc disrupts your natural adaptation to the earth

It dehydrates your cells, and stimulates calcium channels and nitric oxide release, both of which lower energy production by blocking the electron transport chain

This is just the basic framework, but it's a good start

I offer consultations, if you want me to walk you through everything I know about this subject, this thread is just the beginning

If you made it this far thanks for reading!

If you have any further questions feel free to reply to this or message me