The Flame Within: How Mitochondria Drive Human Energy, Aging, and Renewal

“At the center is food, to give us energy to maintain our order.” – Dr. David Haase

Mitochondria are the tiny engines that fuel everything we are. They burn the food we eat into energy, regulate how we heal, determine how fast we age, and even shape how we think, feel, and adapt. When they work well, we thrive. When they don’t, everything begi

ns to fall apart — sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once.

 Mitochondria: The Cell’s Internal Combustion Engine

Mitochondria consume more than 90% of the oxygen we breathe. They convert that oxygen and the nutrients from food into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — the molecule that powers life.

This biochemical combustion — known as oxidative phosphorylation — is incredibly efficient but also volatile. If disrupted, it leaks sparks: free radicals, oxidative stress, and eventual dysfunction.

They aren’t just passive energy producers. Mitochondria are intelligent sensors, constantly adjusting to the demands of your body, environment, and even your emotions. They are at the center of:

• Energy production

• Metabolism regulation

• Immune system activation

• Inflammation control

• Cell death (apoptosis)

• Stem cell signaling

• Neurotransmitter synthesis

In essence, mitochondria don’t just power life — they define how well we live.

 The Interplay of Genetics and Environment

Both your genes and your environment shape how well your mitochondria function. Genetic mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA may predispose someone to dysfunction — but environmental factors accelerate the damage:

• Chronic infections

• Toxin exposures (heavy metals, mold, pesticides)

• Processed foods, excess sugar, seed oils

• Sleep deprivation

• Psychological trauma

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Chronic medications (statins, antibiotics)

When mitochondrial integrity is lost, the result is a cascade of system failure — from fatigue to autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and accelerated aging.

 Mitochondrial Dynamics: Fission vs. Fusion

Mitochondria are not static — they’re constantly reshaping themselves in response to stress and demand.

• Fusion: Mitochondria merge together into larger, healthier networks — optimizing ATP production and resistance to stress. Fusion is adaptive and protective.

• Fission: Mitochondria break into smaller, fragmented units, often in response to stress, infection, or toxic exposure. This can help isolate damage but prolonged fission leads to dysfunction.

What promotes Fusion?

• Fasting & ketosis

• Exercise

• Cold exposure

• Certain peptides (e.g., SS-31)

• NAD+ optimization

➖ What drives Fission?

• Toxins & infections

• Inflammation

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Chronic stress

• Hyperglycemia

 PGC-1α: The Master Regulator of Mitochondrial Biogenesis

At the heart of mitochondrial renewal is a powerful gene transcription coactivator: PGC-1α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha).

Think of it as the master conductor of energy regulation. It drives the creation of new mitochondria and balances energy homeostasis.

When mitochondrial function is compromised, you need less injury to create serious symptoms. This is when activating PGC-1α becomes crucial.

What activates PGC-1α?

• Exercise

• Cold exposure

• Fasting

• Ketogenic metabolism

• Mitochondrial-targeted nutrients (CoQ10, ALA, carnitine)

• Certain peptides (e.g., MOTS-c, SS-31)

 How We Make Energy: The Three Fuel Sources

To generate ATP, mitochondria rely on three main macronutrient sources:

1. Carbohydrates → Broken down into glucose → enters glycolysis → forms pyruvate → enters the mitochondria for oxidative phosphorylation.

2. Fatty Acids → Through beta-oxidation, fats become acetyl-CoA → fuels the Krebs cycle → more ATP produced per gram than glucose.

3. Amino Acids → Especially during fasting or low-carb states, certain amino acids enter the Krebs cycle directly.

But making energy isn’t just about macros. You also need:

 Micronutrients and Co-Factors

• Magnesium

• B Vitamins (especially B1, B2, B3, B5)

• Zinc, selenium, copper

• Iron (for electron transport)

 Conditionally Essential Inputs

• Carnitine – Transports fatty acids into mitochondria

• Taurine – Membrane stability and calcium balance

• CoQ10 – Electron transport and antioxidant protection

• Cysteine / Glutathione – Redox balance

• Alpha-lipoic acid, PQQ, Creatine, D-ribose – Advanced mitochondrial therapeutics

 Glycolysis vs. Ketone Oxidation

 Glycolysis:

• Anaerobic (doesn’t need oxygen)

• Quick ATP production

• Produces less ATP per molecule

• Inflammation-prone if overused (Warburg effect)

 Ketone Oxidation:

• Fat-based metabolism (via beta-oxidation)

• Cleaner, more efficient energy

• Less oxidative stress

• Promotes mitochondrial biogenesis

• Activates longevity pathways (SIRT1, AMPK)

The ideal state? Flexibility — your body’s ability to switch between fuel sources with ease.

 When the Krebs Cycle Fails

The Krebs cycle — the heart of mitochondrial energy production — can be blocked or slowed by many factors:

• Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., B vitamins, magnesium, carnitine)

• Toxin overload

• Infections (Lyme, EBV, mold)

• Oxidative stress / ROS damage

• Gut dysbiosis and poor metabolite availability

• Methylation issues (MTHFR, BH4 imbalances)

This is where we change focal lengths:

First, take a telescopic view: What patterns exist across this person’s life, relationships, exposures, trauma history, and metabolic resilience? Then shift to a microscopic view: What’s missing at the cellular level? What nutrient, cofactor, or energetic input needs to be restored?

This dance between zooming out and zooming in — between story and system — is the art and science of functional medicine.

Summary: Return to the Flame Within

At Revive, we believe that energy is life’s deepest currency — and mitochondria are the sacred banks that manage it.

When that energy is organized, we thrive. When it becomes disordered, we suffer — sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once.

Yet there is always a way back.

With the right tools, insights, and support, we can rekindle the inner flame — not just to treat symptoms, but to restore the very spark that animates your being.

"At the center is food, to give us energy to maintain our order." — And at the center of that energy... is you.