Mitochondria

Plural Name:  Mitochondrion

The Mitochondria is a sausage-shaped organelle (structure) occurring in the Cytoplasm of every living Cell.  It is the site of the cell's Energy production.  The number of Mitochondrion in each Cell varies according to the individual Energy requirements for that Cell - Cardiac Muscle (i.e. the Muscles of the Heart) contain thousands of Mitochondrion per Cell while some other types of Cells only contain dozens (the average number of Mitochondrion in a human Cell is 1,000).

Metabolism

 The production of all cellular Energy  occurs in the Mitochondria (by means of oxidation - using Oxygen):  ^[1]

 The Electron Transport System (relating to Energy production) occurs within the Inner Membrane (Crista) of the Mitochondria.

 The Krebs Cycle of Energy production occurs within the Matrix portion of the Mitochondria.

Amino Acids

 Carnitine may facilitate the transport of Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids into the Mitochondria:  ^[2]

 Carnitine molecules in the Cytoplasm outside the Mitochondria of the body's Cells combines with a molecule of Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acid and a molecule of Acetyl CoenzymeA to form a complex that can penetrate the wall of the Mitochondria.

 Carnitine inhibits the ability of Zidovudine (AZT) to damage the Mitochondria of Muscle Fibers.

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) transports Lipids into the Mitochondria and may help to prevent the accumulation of toxic levels of Lipids in the Mitochondria.  ^[3]

 Creatine Monohydrate may help to restore low Creatine Phosphate levels to normal in people with impaired function of the Mitochondria of Cells (known medically as Mitochondrial Cytopathy).  ^[4]

 Impaired function of the Mitochondria is associated with low Creatine Phosphate levels in the Mitochondria.  ^[5]

 Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA, the synthetic Amino Acid often used in Chelation Therapy) may stabilize the Mitochondria of Cells (it combines with and stabilizes the Inner Membrane of the Mitochondria).  ^[6]

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) may improve the function of the Mitochondria.  ^[7]

Elements

 85% - 90% of the body’s Oxygen is consumed by the Mitochondria.  ^[8]

Hormones

 Melatonin may preserve the integrity of the Mitochondria:  ^[9]

 Melatonin may retard the impairment of the Mitochondria that occurs in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.

 Melatonin may block the oxidative damage caused to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of the Mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA) caused by the neurotoxin Amyloid-Beta Protein.

 Thyroid Hormones (especially Triiodothyronine (T3)) stimulate the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in the Mitochondria.  ^[10]

Lipids

 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) may transport Oxygen to the Mitochondria for utilization in the production of Energy. 

 Cardiolipin concentrates in the inner membranes of Mitochondria where it maintains the flexibility of the Mitochondria, allowing smaller molecules to gain entry into the Mitochondria.

Minerals

 Magnesium Bicarbonate may enhance the function of the Mitochondria: 

 Magnesium Bicarbonate prevents the excessive production of protons from Carbon Dioxide in the Mitochondria.  It maintains an optimal electrochemical concentration gradient across the innter mitochondrial membrane.  This serves to optimize the transduction of Energy from electrons from the Electron Transport System (ETP) to Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).  This results in increased cellular Energy.