Since we started our business in 1985, we have stressed the importance of mitochondrial health by offering mitochondrial boosting products and exposing hazards to mitochondria. Four decades later, we can say that we were ahead of our time. There’s so much hype about “mitochondria” in the nutritional supplement and health orbit that it’s dizzying for the typical consumer to figure out what is hype versus fact.
Mitochondria produce energy for cellular health.
Mitochondria provide 90% of the body’s energy.
Mitochondria are in most cells; hundreds of thousands of mitochondria per cell.
Mitochondria make energy through the electron transport chain and the Krebs cycle.
Mitochondrial health is directly related to overall health and deficiencies can result in disease.
Mitochondrial health is harmed by poor nutrition, prescription drugs, electromagnetic pollution, and other environmental hazards.
Mitochondria can be enhanced with supplements, diet and lifestyle adjustments.
You can best think of how mitochondria work when thinking of healthy young children brimming with energy. Young children have tremendous mitochondrial stores which decline as we age.
Mitochondria act in many cellular processes, but their critical function is to extract the energy retained in nutrients (as electrons) and transform it into energy that powers cells. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the form of energy and cellular respiration is the process. Mitochondria make about 90 percent of all ATP made in the body, which is why we call them the “powerhouse of the cell.”
When mitochondria work ideally, cells are powered properly and the numerous systems and functions of the body run properly. The opposite is true: when mitochondria are impaired, damage results in dysfunction of cellular processes, leading to disease.
Dysfunctions of ATP, especially in the electron transport chain, create reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage mitochondria. This damage accumulates and can end up resulting in serious disease states.
Think of mitochondria as your own wondrous biological batteries that are the fuel for maintaining good health. If they are not properly charged or you don’t have enough, bodily functions will suffer.
It’s hard for us to imagine, but a single cell in the body has up to thousands of mitochondria. Mitochondria have their own DNA (aside from other cells) and replicate without the cells dividing.
The eyes, brain and heart have as much as 10,000 per cell;
Liver has around 2,000 per cell
Red Blood cells have none because they derive their energy from glucose.
Maintaining the right amount and healthy state of mitochondria throughout the body is not easy, given diet, environmental hazards and aging.
The list of mitochondrial killers is daunting. The heart has the highest concentration of mitochondria of any bodily tissue.
Oxidative stress impairs mitochondria, which is caused by many factors:
- Electromagnetic Frequency Radiation (EMF)
- Processed and pro-inflammatory foods
- Pesticides
- Mold toxins (mycotoxins)
- Prescription drugs
- Unhealthy gut-flora
- Heavy metal exposure
The damage to organs and systems results in serious disease states. The medical establishment trains us to think of disease because of “family history” (genetics) or a lack of pharmaceutical drugs or some surgical procedure, rather than looking to what we eat, drink, and, more importantly, how heavy our toxic burden is. While it’s true that some can “detoxify” better than others due to epigenetics, it is a pathetic copout and true victim blaming to say you get a disease because of your genes while ignoring the elephant in the room of environmental hazards heaped on us. It’s true victim-blaming at its worst.
The evidence for the statement that electromagnetic frequency radiation causes oxidative stress is overwhelming. We have detailed this proposition in numerous articles and emails, with enough support, there truly is no need for “further studies,” in our opinion. In a published paper, “Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system”, Turkish academics concluded, “The biological effect of exposure to EMF is a subject of particular research interest. The results of the recent studies not only clearly demonstrate that EMF exposure triggers oxidative stress in various tissues, but also that it causes significant changes in levels of blood antioxidant markers. Fatigue, headache, decreased learning ability, and cognitive impairment are among the symptoms caused by EMF. The human body should therefore be protected against exposure to EMF because of the risks this can entail.”
Many prominent researchers report the same conclusion, as a matter of fact, with zero hesitation or controversy. Government and industry are ramping a big release of “electromagnetic frequency” on us when 6G and EMF frequency sale which are soon upon us.
We can improve mitochondrial health by adopting healthy lifestyle habits: Exercising, eating healthy food, drinking clean water, and absolutely avoiding EMF as much as possible. Taking the right supplements, too, goes a long way.
Coenzyme Q10 (CocoQ-10) is an incredible mitochondria-supporting supplement with hundreds of published studies on humans showing spectacular benefits because Q10 supports mitochondrial health and quenches free radicals.
In severe cases of mitochondrial disorders, “Q10 and related synthetic quinones are the only agents to date that have proven to be effective in the treatment of these heterogeneous disorders. The therapeutic efficacy of Q10 is not restricted to patients with an underlying Q10 deficiency and is thought to result from its ability to restore electron flow in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) as well as to increase the cellular antioxidant capacity.” (“Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Mitochondrial Disease” Journal of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening 2017).
Because we are programmed to think that one supplement only helps “one thing”, we forget the bigger picture: helping mitochondrial health affects nearly 90 percent of all cells, virtually all organs and functions that rely upon boosting mitochondrial energy.
A key aspect of mitochondria is their role in the electron transport chain.
We know that electron transport is key with our Vitamin C Plus because vitamin C, on its own, is a mitochondrial booster. Dr. Jacques Masquelier’s work on OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) stands out because OPCs help “charge” vitamin C, making it more effective in the body. Vitamin C has a short life in the body, though it is very important.
Masquelier discovered OPCs protect plants against oxidation by isolating OPC from the inner part of peanut skins, which protects oils in the nut from going rancid due to exposure to oxygen; OPCs serve as a protective sheath. In pine trees, Masquelier discovered that the inner lining had OPCs, which protected the stem and the fluids that flow through it.
In the human body, OPCs were demonstrated to be absorbed in animal models, with the highest percentage in the aorta. Masquelier also studied rutin and quercetin, which were not absorbed in the body; they just remained in the gut, having little biological effect.
Mitochondria are essential for producing pure water for cells. Up to 60 percent of our body is water. Just as OPCs help the flow of water in pine trees, Masquelier demonstrated that the circulation of water and nutrients is enhanced because OPCs help keep the blood vessel system intact by keeping it “tight.” Blood vessels weaken, leak, and become “permeable,” and OPCs help reduce excess permeability.
Vitamin C is a strong “electron donor,” but it has a short life in the body, and Masquelier demonstrated that his OPCs extend the life of vitamin C as much as 10 times. Masquelier believed that we don’t need huge amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C Plus is a combination of non-GMO Scottish-made vitamin C and Masquelier’s OPCs. We also offer Masquelier’s OPC from grape seed as a single ingredient in a powerful 300 mg capsule.
Masquelier’s OPCs are unique. You can’t get the benefit of OPCs by getting cheap grape seed extract or pine bark, which not only don’t work but could cause harm. OPCs boost mitochondrial health.
The ingredients in Olive Power have strong mitochondrial boosting properties: Oleuropein, which is abundant in Olive Power, positively impacts mitochondrial function by enhancing energy metabolism, improving resistance to fatigue, and protecting against age-related decline and oxidative stress. Research suggests that oleuropein can activate mitochondrial calcium import, crucial for energy production, and promote mitochondrial biogenesis, which increases the efficiency of mitochondria and reduces free radical damage.
Hydroxytryptophan, found in Olive Power, helps with mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission) and promotes mitophagy, which involves the removal of damaged mitochondria.
MitoDefense® AstaKrill’s Astaxanthin is a powerful mitochondrial booster.
In a 2021 paper published in Nutrients, titled “Astaxanthin as a Novel Mitochondrial Regulator: A New Aspect of Carotenoids, beyond Antioxidants,” Japanese and American researchers wrote “In conclusion, astaxanthin not only acts on multiple biological defenses through the direct and indirect effects of its strong antioxidant activity, but also contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of mitochondrial activity by directly acting on the AMPK/Sirtuins/PGC-1α pathway, and other pathways. This action should be fully taken into account for a better understanding of the bioactivity of astaxanthin and other carotenoids. The activation of mitochondria and their function as biological defenses should be more effective with regard to the diverse diseases related to energy metabolism and aging (e.g., metabolic syndrome including type two diabetes, dyslipidemia and steatohepatitis, and frailty in aging, including cognitive impairment, cachexia and sarcopenia).”
Dr. Hecht of AstaReal® astaxanthin (co-author of the above paper) added to the significance of astaxanthin’s mitochondrial power: “This is an exciting nutrition story that had to be told. A 2010 study showed that 30-50% of astaxanthin is deposited in the mitochondria after ingestion. Because of this, we suspected it played a specific role in supporting this organelle. Additional research confirmed this, demonstrating that astaxanthin helps the mitochondria shift to more efficient ATP production as well as supports an increase in mitochondria numbers overall. This helps explain why we’ve seen such exciting clinical results using astaxanthin.”
This is why we increased the astaxanthin content in our MitoDefense® AstaKrill to 6 milligrams per soft gel (which is combined with high-phospholipid krill oil for better absorption). Two of our MitoDefense® softgels provide the maximum amount of astaxanthin used in nearly a hundred published studies showing astaxanthin to work in the body. AstaReal® astaxanthin is the premier manufacturer of astaxanthin which is free of impurities and is stable: we write about this often because supplement impurity and stability are issues that all devoted health advocates should take to heart. AstaReal® is the best astaxanthin, but astaxanthin is poorly absorbed. In our MitoDefense® (which contains phospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids from krill), it is much better absorbed than on its own (see our story on page 4).
AMPK (adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase) is mentioned in the above astaxanthin paper and elsewhere regarding its role in mitochondrial health. AMPK is an enzyme that acts as an “energy sensor” in cells. AMPK supports healthy blood sugar levels and helps generate mitochondria.
A researcher published an Age “AMPK activation-protean potential for boosting lifespan”: “Indeed, current evidence indicates that AMPK activators may reduce risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke; help to prevent ventricular hypertrophy and manage congestive failure; ameliorate metabolic syndrome, reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, and aid glycemic control in diabetics; reduce risk for weight gain; decrease risk for a number of common cancers while improving prognosis in cancer therapy; decrease risk for dementia and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders; help to preserve the proper structure of bone and cartilage; and possibly aid in the prevention and control of autoimmunity.”
Astaxanthin is a powerful AMPK booster, as is berberine (in our Berberine Plus).
Berberine has other roles in mitochondrial health, as noted by Chinese researchers in a paper titled “Berberine is a Novel Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Inhibitor that Disrupts MCU-EMRE Assembly,” published in Advanced Science 2025. Researchers noted that Berberis aristata helps minimize calcium overload in cardiovascular disease, “offering a safe therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with dysregulated mitochondrial homeostasis.” Magnesium and Curcumin also help support healthy calcium channel regulation.
Dr Martin Pall, whom we have quoted often, is a distinguished professor who publishes research warning about the dangers of electromagnetic frequency radiation. Dr. Pall has shown that low-intensity EMFs activate voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), resulting in DNA single-strand breaks. These channels are found in the membranes of every cell in our body.
Acetyl L Carnitine (ALC) boosts mitochondria because it is “one of the key nutrients for proper mitochondrial function and is notable for its role in fatty acid oxidation, modulating ketogenesis and glucogenesis, and in the elimination of toxic metabolites,” according to researchers who published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Acetyl L Carnitine is more bioavailable than regular carnitine and can pass the blood-brain barrier, giving it great neuroprotective benefits. ALC is a mitochondrial regenerator because it increases acetyl-CoA levels in the mitochondria, which help improve antioxidant status, protein and membrane stability, and reduce cell death.
Gut and mitochondrial health are key for good digestion and more. Scientists worldwide link “gut” microbiome health to many disease states because the gut is 70% of the immune system.
Our recent addition, ButryaGen®, a prebiotic, promotes gastrointestinal health by allowing it to generate butyrate no matter the state of the microbiome (it does so independently). Dietary fiber depends upon bacterial fermentation (which may not be ideal), but ButryaGen® releases butyrate through natural hydrolysis, ensuring a consistent and reliable daily supply. Butyrate is a key short-chain fatty acid known for supporting gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation and improving digestive comfort. Butyrate has distinct roles in mitochondria, according to researchers: “Butyrate is the primary energy source for colonocytes, yielding around 70% of the cell’s energy. It is oxidized into CO2 in the mitochondria, generating ATP. Butyrate also plays a role in mitochondrial bioenergetics, enhancing cellular respiration and metabolic efficiency, thereby reducing oxidative stress and promoting overall physical resilience.” (Clinical Nutrition)