Re-energized cells, healthy organs and younger-looking skin can be achieved through boosting your mitochondria -  the tiny power plants in our body that produce the energy our cells need to operate.

In the beginning

Thousands of years ago, humans didn't eat sugar; our primary source of food was berries, fruit, vegetables, nuts and, occasionally, meat brought home from a hunt. Our bodies are optimized for low-carb diets and plenty of exercise to burn the natural carbohydrates humans traditionally consumed.

Our bodies aren't coping

These days, we consume a lot more sugar as it can be hidden in the pre-prepared and fast food options we tend to go for due to their convenience. Not to mention the processed sugar we eat in snacks and treats.

Additionally, our modern lifestyles are often relatively sedentary. Less exercise also means we produce fewer mitochondria (the energy sources of our cells), so our capacity to burn sugar is reduced.

Sugar is the enemy

Not only is sugar considered detrimental to our waistline and to our teeth, it's also the enemy of our mitochondria and contributes to many metabolic health issues. Consuming excess sugar puts the mitochondria under stress, causing them to emit free radicals. This is called oxidative damage.

10 signs your mitochondria are suffering

1. Tired or lacking energy
2. Hormonal mood swings
3. Weight gain or blood sugar fluctuations
4. Reduced exercise performance and recovery
5. Ageing skin
6. Feeling the effects of aging
7. Stressed or anxious
8. Difficulty sleeping
9. Heart, blood pressure or circulation issues
10. Lack of mental sharpness

What happens to mitochondria as we age?

Mitochondrial function declines as we age. From our 30's it declines at about 10 percent per decade, and ageing accelerates. It is most noticeable on our skin, as our skin cells no longer have the energy to produce sufficient collagen and elastin. The same wear and tear occurs to our internal cells and organs. Additionally, as the mitochondria's natural antioxidant system declines, they start to leak free radicals into the cell, which damages vital cell components and our DNA.

By restoring the mitochondrial free radical defense system we achieve the double benefit of restoring mitochondrial function and reducing free radical leakage into the cell. The result is that (skin) cells are reprogrammed to act like they did when they were younger.

Combating the assaults of aging (and sugar)

Minimizing carbs and exercising regularly can help reduce the oxidative damage to your cells. However, it's very difficult to avoid the hidden sugars in our diets. Even with the best diet and exercise regimen, we still need extra support. Mitochondria, and their antioxidant supplies, naturally degenerate with age and from oxidative damage caused by environmental pollutants, such as food sprays/ pesticides, alcohol and medicines.