Mutant Cellular Powerhouses or Mitochondrial Mutation is the term that describes changes to the DNA (epigenetic and genetic) associated with the cells internal powerhouse. Think of each cell having its nuclear reactor that generates energy. The mitochondria can create energy, eliminate waste, and carry on the processes of life. However, these processes come at the price of producing slight amounts of toxic waste in the form of free radicals ions that in turn can cause mutations to the mitochondria. Many anti-oxidants are ineffective because they are not small enough to pass through the cells’ membrane into the interior. The RCA stack discussed below can pass into the cellular interior and plays a significant roll in cleaning up toxins and waste in the form of free radical ions.
What Happens:
The cell’s powerhouse, the mitochondria, produce inherently toxic wastes (in the form of free radicals) internal to the cell. When this accumulated waste eventually builds up, it causes the cell to enter a state of oxidative stress. As we age, this happens across the entire body with the result being age-related mutations. These mutations vary but could include things like macular degeneration, cancer (leukemia is widely studied to have a link with this type of problem) and an overall decline in the ability to be physically active.
Reference Link: http://www.sens.org/research/introduction-to-sens-research/mitochondrial-mutations
What We Can Do
There is a lot of information about what we can actively do and avoid in this category. Smoking (cigarettes and otherwise), drugs and alcohol, of course, should be avoided because they have a high impact on the accumulation of waste products that potentially lead to mitochondrial mutations across the entire cellular system, i.e., no cell in the body is exempt from the effects of these negative habits. When I learned that alcohol inhibited NAD (remember they activate the anti-aging genes called the Sirtuins) and directly contributed to cancers and other mutations directly, I dramatically reduced my alcohol consumption. Exercise helps! However, as toxins build up, many people experience a general apathy to exercise. This type of malaise and resistance to activity generally increases with aging. There are several things we can do.
First, eliminate stressors as noted like alcohol, drugs, and smoking. These stressors negatively impact the metabolic processes on a cellular level and contribute to increased levels of toxins in the mitochondria.
Second, add the RCA stack described below. The results on mice were astounding. I have used this with amazing results. This RCA stack helps to reduce damage from toxins in the cell and even clears up some of the internal cellular waste products. Other supplements like PQQ and Shilajit synergistically enhance the effectiveness of this combination of ingredients.
Third, activate both your Sirtuins and Telomerase. The RCA stack also may prevent the mutations associated with mitochondrial waste products ( i.e., waste products that come from cellular metabolic activities).
Key Supplement Stacks / Supplements
A combination of R-alpha lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q10, and Acetyl-l-carnitine have shown great results in mice. I have used this since the early 2000s with amazing results.
NMN http://life7.ca/index.php/home/supplements/nmn-nicotinamide-mononucleotide/
NAD http://life7.ca/index.php/home/supplements/nad-nicotinamide-riboside/
Pterostilbene http://life7.ca/index.php/home/supplements/pterostilbene/
Cycloastragenol http://life7.ca/index.php/home/supplements/cycloastragenol/
Astragaloside IV http://life7.ca/index.php/home/supplements/astragaloside-iv
Activities
Intermittent Fasting / Caloric Restriction
Studies recommend High-Intensity Training HIT over aerobics ignoring other physical obstacles. Not only does exercise help the supplements get into cells, reinforces your ability to be athletic overall.
If you can take in a sauna or sweat lodge, this also helps by stimulating the heat shock proteins – these have a positive impact on this area along with others.