TREATMENT BRIEF: Are Mitochondria the Answer? "Mitochondria" is another one of those words that's coming up more and more in conversations about fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), and at least one study shows that increasing mitochondria levels could improve exercise capacity.
Mitochondria are tiny little bodies inside our cells that transform fuel into energy, so you can see why they'd be an obvious place to look for clues to FMS and ME/CFS. Post-exertional malaise (crashing after exercise/activity) is a defining characteristic of ME/CFS, and many people with FMS have reduced exercise tolerance as well.
Some doctors already claim to be treating, and sometimes correcting, mitochondrial dysfunction in people with these condition, but so far most of the evidence is anecdotal. Findings just released by prominent research Dr. Kenny de Meirleir, however, show dysfunction in the liver mitochondria that help lead to the total lack of energy in people with ME/CFS.
Another recent study looked at quercetin, which comes from certain plants (including tea leaves, berries, apples and cherries.) Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and some researchers believe it can give you more and healthier mitochondria.
In mice, quercetin increased markers of mitochondrial health, and also increased activity and exercise capacity -- and this was without exercise training. This could be an important alternative to graded exercise therapy (GET), which is a frequently recommended but highly controversial treatment for ME/CFS.
For more information, read Quercetin in Your Diet, from About.com Nutrition Guide Shereen Jegtvig.
Have you used quercetin or anything else to improve mitochondrial function? What was the effect? Please leave a comment below so we can all learn from your experience!
Suggested Reading:
- Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Exercise: How it Can Help Instead of Hurt
- Your Diet for Managing Symptoms
Photo © Michael Greenberg/Getty Images
I haven’t tried this, although I seem to naturally love the foods that contain it. I might have to give this a more concerted effort, though.
I take Co-enzyme Q10, which is a part of the chemical reaction in mitochrondria which produces energy. I notice it kick in 2/3 hours after taking it and because of the way the liver works, it also kicks in again 24 hours after that.
It makes me feel brighter and is essential for those days when I have to do more than I normally would. I am in a wheelchair now, but once after taking a full dose, I managed to walk for 5 minutes – twice in one day!
I don’t take the full dose everyday and sometimes take none, yet I have noticed even on the days I take none, I now feel better. I feel it has made a permanent change to me, which needs toping up.
My immunologist says this doesn’t work for CFS, unless mitochronidra are your problem, well that answers itself and I will not stop taking it whilst it helps me like this.
It doesn’t perform miracles, but it helps, but be wise, don’t push it, or you will still end up in bed knackered as usual.
I began taking NADH (5 mg) and D-Ribose once a day in the mornings and there has been a marked improvement in my energy levels. I am doing things now that I haven’t been able to do in 15 years of CFS!
They are both said to work on the mitochondria. I’d be curious to hear from others about this.
Hi Laura, I was recommended those, but when I got to the shop, they recommended co-enzyme Q10 as being even better.
But I may still start on those as well soon, as Q10 is great, but I am still in a wheelchair!
Would love to hear more from other people on their experiences with this type of drug.
A UK doctor, Sarah Myhill, recently published a paper on the role of mitochondria in these illnesses. She has been working on it for years. I find she explains things well.
The article is here http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=381