Hormone and Thyroid Conditions Can Be Affected by Cellular Health – Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, I discussed the relationship between mitochondrial health and hormone production. Healthy mitochondria drive healthy hormones, and hormonal balance supports mitochondrial health. 

Given chronic exposure to toxins and other factors, most of us have mitochondria that could use a little extra attention. You don’t need to have a specific mitochondrial disorder to benefit from the strategies I’m about to cover. A healthy lifestyle is beneficial for all. 

Keep reading to learn more about how to restore mitochondrial health with:

• Lifestyle change
• Targeted mitochondrial supplements

How to Restore Cellular and Mitochondrial Health 

From a functional medicine perspective, I’m always working to uncover the root cause of my patient’s imbalances and symptoms. It’s easy to think that a hormone imbalance is the root cause, but we can peel back more layers by asking what factors drive changes in hormones. 

It’s easy to think that a hormone imbalance is the root cause, but we can peel back more layers by asking what factors drive changes in hormones.

It’s always helpful to perform a cellular health assessment using a combination of lab work and taking a thorough health history and review of symptoms. In some cases, a connection between thyroid and mitochondria reveals itself. Or sub-optimal antioxidant and nutrient levels might suggest mitochondrial support is required.  

Let’s talk about ways to restore mitochondrial function to improve the health of cells. 

Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Diet and Exercise

The foundation of mitochondrial health comes from diet and lifestyle habits. Here are my top tips:

• Eat a plant-rich diet. Whole plant foods are the primary dietary source of antioxidants that protect mitochondria from oxidative stress. Consider eating a variety of colorful produce, legumes, nuts, and seeds daily. Herbs and spices are also incredible (and delicious) additions to the diet. 

‍

• Move your body. While too much exercise can stress the mitochondria, living an active lifestyle helps improve mitochondrial efficiency. As you build muscle and endurance capacity, cells increase their numbers of mitochondria which means better energy production and a faster metabolism. 

‍

• Prioritize sleep. Sleep is when your cells and mitochondria detoxify, repair, and recover. Without adequate sleep, toxins can remain in cells causing damage. For my top sleep tips, check out this article. 

‍

Nutrition and Supplementation 

With the foundational lifestyle pieces in place (or while you work to get them dialed in), supplements offer effective, targeted mitochondrial support. 

With the foundational lifestyle pieces in place (or while you work to get them dialed in), supplements offer effective, targeted mitochondrial support.

NAC Supplement Benefits

NAC, or n-acetyl cysteine, increases glutathione in cells. Glutathione is the body’s ever-so-critical master antioxidant. 

Once in the cell, glutathione goes into the mitochondria and helps provide protection to the mitochondria from toxins and oxidative stress. 

NAC supplements offer increased levels of this vital amino acid and have an excellent safety profile. NAC benefits also include immune and fertility support.

‍

ALA Supplement Benefits

ALA, alpha-lipoic acid, is another mitochondrial support supplement. ALA supplements offer potent antioxidant action that helps protect the mitochondrial structure and improve energy production. 

‍

Antioxidants and Other Mitochondria Supplements

Other supplements, including nutrients, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, support mitochondrial health. These include: 

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Coenzyme Q10
• L-carnitine
• Magnesium
• Resveratrol
• Vitamin E 

Reduce Oxidative Stress and Environmental Toxins

While direct mitochondrial support is helpful, we also want to stop fueling the fire of mitochondrial dysfunction by removing sources of oxidative stress. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins provides a massive relief to delicate mitochondria. 

Ways to reduce toxin exposures include: 

• Filtering drinking water
• Filtering shower water
• Filtering indoor air
• Reducing plastic, especially plastic in contact with food and beverages
• Choosing natural skincare and personal care products
• Choosing non-toxic cleaning supplies
• Choosing the least toxic consumer goods 
• Choosing organic food 
• Using safe (non-Teflon) cookware
• Choosing natural fiber clothing 
• Dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning frequently

Improvements in Hormone and Thyroid Conditions by Focusing on the Cellular Level

Hormones and cells rely on each other. Many times, when we focus on cellular health, including mitochondrial function, thyroid hormones and sex hormone balance improve. 

The connection between hormones and mitochondria is a prime example of functional medicine at its best. While the conventional, Western approach focuses on one body system at a time, functional medicine always seeks to find the connections between body systems, viewing the body as a whole. 

Cell Health is Essential to Overall Health

Consider the cell as a microcosm of the whole body. We need healthy cells for a healthy body. Functional medicine offers many tools – both lifestyle change and supplements – to support cellular health and therefore, overall health. 

If you desire support navigating these connections using a functional approach, please reach out to The Fork. We’d love to work with you!

‍

References

1. Robinson, M. M., Dasari, S., Konopka, A. R., Johnson, M. L., Manjunatha, S., Esponda, R. R., Carter, R. E., Lanza, I. R., & Nair, K. S. (2017). Enhanced Protein Translation Underlies Improved Metabolic and Physical Adaptations to Different Exercise Training Modes in Young and Old Humans. Cell metabolism, 25(3), 581–592. 
2. Pizzorno J. (2014). Mitochondria-Fundamental to Life and Health. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(2), 8–15.

‍