What protects and assists mitochondrial function?
Many nutrients are critical for proper mitochondrial function and protection from oxidative stress. The diet needs to supply quality proteins, fats and oils, carbohydrates, and an abundance of antioxidants. And, this diet must be ingested in a healthy ratio of protein to fats to carbs. Certainly none of this is to be found in the Standard American Diet (Acronym: SAD) Antioxidants are found in abundance in unprocessed, fresh, fully matured plant foods, grown in healthy soil. Supplemental nutrients of particular importance to mitochondrial function include coenzyme Q10, R-alpha lipoic acid, L-Acetyl Carnitine (AKA: Acetyl-L-Carnitine), and vitamin E. Aerobic, weight bearing, and limbic exercise (no excessive exercise) also improves mitochondrial function and increases the body’s antioxidant defenses. There are many other nutrients and supplements that can be of assistance and may be needed over and above the healthy diet and those listed above. We have left them out of this list on purpo
