Sick mitochondria don't produce enough HORMONES (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and DHEA)
Mitochondria are widely known as the powerhouses of the human body. Present in nearly every cell in the body, the primary job of mitochondria is to process oxygen and convert nutrients from the food into energy. Mitochondria produce 90% of the energy needed for the human body to function.
Since mitochondria are present in almost every cell, there is a link between mitochondria and hormones. Hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and all your adrenal hormones like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol are all linked to mitochondria.
Poor hormonal balance is directly linked to mitochondria's sick or poor functioning. That leads to poor hormone production, which can cause other mitochondrial diseases and disorders in the body. This article will help you determine the effects of insufficient mitochondria on hormones in your body.
What is the Role of Mitochondria?
The energy our body generates through mitochondria is produced as adenosine triphosphate, commonly known by its abbreviation ATP. ATP, when broken down, releases energy. This energy produced is vital for organs to sustain and function healthily.
This energy in the body is mainly consumed by the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, muscles, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Besides producing energy in the body, mitochondria also have a key role in several other bodily functions.
A healthy mitochondrion also enables healthy hormonal balance in the body and is responsible for the adequate secretion of hormones. A decline in the function of mitochondrion results in a drop of sex steroids like estrogen and testosterone in the brain. That also results in the process of early aging, especially in women.
What is Mitochondrial Dysfunction?
In simple words, mitochondrial dysfunction is the inability of mitochondria to function adequately. When mitochondria fail to function normally, hence producing low energy levels, symptoms of inadequate sufficiency arise in the body. That can lead to several symptoms, like
· Fatigue
· Mood-swings
· Brain fatigue
· Anxiety
· Joint and Lung diseases
· Indigestion
· Impaired speech
· Seizures and strokes
Most of these symptoms are hard to diagnose and aren't immediately recognizable because they overlap with many other diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction is suspected when three or more organs are affected. If you suspect dysfunction of multiple organs, you should get yourself diagnosed immediately.
Mitochondrial dysfunction also leads to neurodegenerative diseases like Cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and endocrinologic diseases like Thyroid and Type-2 Diabetes.
What Leads to Mitochondrial Dysfunction?
Multiple factors lead to poor mitochondrial function, at various levels and in varying degrees. A proper diagnosis will help you better understand the accurate cause of mitochondrial dysfunction.
There are specific physiological causes like environmental factors, smoking, air pollution, certain chemicals, drugs, or genetic abnormalities. Mitochondrial dysfunction is affected on a cellular level by
· Improper functioning of the electron transport chain
· A reduced electrical and chemical transmembrane potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane
· Impaired transport of critical metabolites into mitochondria
While it's commonly believed that mitochondrial diseases are inherited from the mother because mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother's genetics. It is a misconception that genetic mutation includes mitochondrial and nuclear DNA mutations. Mitochondrial diseases may affect the organ system and are inherited from maternal and paternal chromosomes.
Mitochondria and Aging
Aging is a process usually linked to a decline in physiological and biological functions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the main factors of the aging process, especially in women affecting a drop in the sex steroids, that is, estrogen.
A decline in the healthy functioning of mitochondria also leads to a decrease in the sex steroids, estrogen, and testosterone in the brain. These hormones are needed abundantly and have to function well to feel well.
How to Have Hormonal Balance?
Mitochondrial disease is a set of metabolic diseases that affect your hormones and their balance, resulting in reduced energy levels, increased stress levels, and many other internal problems.
Cholesterol is another highly affecting substance. If your cholesterol levels are high, it may lead to mitochondria dysfunction. It is highly advisable to follow a diet that can help you lower your cholesterol levels if they are high or maintain them if they are normal.
A good and balanced diet is also effective in properly functioning the hormones. What you eat plays a vital role as it will be broken down into energy by the mitochondria, and all major organs of your body utilize energy.
Hence, if you have a hormonal imbalance and your hormone levels keep dropping or skyrocketing, you need to follow a healthy balanced diet rich in proteins, carbs, and other nutrients. Another way that you can normalize your hormone levels is by using supplements.
Before consuming any supplements, consult your doctor, diagnose your problem, and then have these. Many of these supplements need to be measured and consumed; hence it's advisable to consult your doctor, who can prescribe you such supplements.