Insulin and Our Mitochondria

Inside our cells

We couldn't have a series on insulin without talking about the mighty mitochondria and roles it plays in insulin. Go google this and you will be reading per reviewed medical journals. 

Our mitochondria are absolutely vital to our health. Without them, well we wouldn't be able to survive. They are pretty important. 

What are mitochondria? Simply put they are our energy source, our power plants in our cells. They take nutrients we eat and convert them into ATP, adenosine triphosphate, energy. ATP generates energy for cellular function. We need the energy from ATP for thinking, brain function, sprinting, walking, lifting heavy things, pumping blood through out our bodies, reading this post you are using ATP. We need ATP for pretty much everything. Without this process of our mitochondria producing ATP from our food, we wouldn't be alive. A good reason to be fascinated with them.

After this, our mitochondria also play a role in insulin/glucose regulation, production of other hormones, regulation of calcium in the cell, among many other things. I am sure we do not fully understand or know everything our mitochondria do for us. 

As soon as we say mitochondria role in insulin/glucose regulation, we are deep into the weeds. I think what is important to know is our mitochondria play a role in this process. How we take care of our mitochondria will impact their ability to better do their jobs, insulin/glucose regulation, energy and everything else. 

What can we do to impact the health of our mitochondria and in turn impact insulin?

Eliminate hydrogenated oils, vegetable oils, soy, corn, canola and the others.

Become a fat burning beast

Move frequently at a slow pace.

Sprint once in awhile.

Lift heavy things.

Get adequate sleep, deep and enough hours.

Sun exposure

CoQ10, Vits A and C, magnesium, zinc, iron, among several others

Eating whole foods, animal fat and protein with preferably seasonal fruit and veggies, the carbs you need and smart supplements 

Become a fat burning breast!

As you can see, if you have been following my blog for any time, these things we can do to impact our mitochondria and insulin are what I have been talking about from the beginning. Nothing new here. What we do for one area of our health impacts the rest of our health. It doesn't take anything crazy to impact our insulin and mitochondria. Let me know how I can help you.

Where our mitochondria goes our health goes. 

Alll my love to you Jenn