Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Better Prescription with Dr. Minni Malhotra. During today’s conversation, we explore the importance of mitochondrial health. We start with the foundation of how the body converts organic compounds from our food into chemical energy using mitochondria. Learn about the stress associated with the level of energy our mitochondria generate from growth and how the resulting free radicals can accelerate aging. You’ll hear how health intelligence tests use mitochondrial regeneration to measure mitochondrial health and find out how mitochondria send signals when cells are not operational in a process called apoptosis. We discuss a few theories about the byproducts of cellular activity and explore why free radicals alone cannot explain the aging process before unpacking the role of mtDNA and discussing Toren Finkel’s theory about mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we talk about the implications of mitochondrial and cellular health on human wellness, with urolithin A at the center. Dr. Malhotra uses cellular health to help her patients go from sick and tired to wellness and vitality. Join us today to hear more. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today’s topic: the importance of mitochondrial health. 
• How our body converts organic compounds from our food into chemical energy using mitochondria.
• The stress associated with the level of energy our mitochondria generates when they grow.
• Why free radicals produced by this stress can develop into destructive oxidative stress.
• How health intelligence tests use mitochondrial regeneration to measure mitochondrial health.
• Apoptosis: signals sent from mitochondria when cells are not operational.
• An overview of Denham Harman’s theory that as cells metabolize nutrients and consume oxygen they produce reactive oxygen species as a byproduct.
• Why free radicals alone are not a sufficient explanation for aging.
• Why mitochondria never entirely lost their primordial genome today known as mtDNA.
• How mtDNA changes with age.
• Toren Finkel’s theory that mitochondrial dysfunction doesn’t necessarily result from DNA.
• What Mitophagy and the healthy mitochondria is according to Johan Auwerx.
• Studies around how urolithin A can be used to boost human health.
• How gut diversity differs from person to person.
• Results from the trial published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Why supplements cannot replace exercise or make up for your lifestyle.
• Why prevention over therapy is important.
• How diseases can arise when you don’t care for your cellular health.
• Why your body has more in common with a luxury car than you may think.
• How she uses cellular health in her practice to help people go from sick and tired to wellness and vitality.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institute for Functional Medicine