Our Cells Need to Clean Up Too

Our cells are constantly in a clean-up mode, removing cellular garbage and recycling its components to regenerate newer, healthier cells. This biological process is called Autophagy. Autophagy is a cellular process that promotes cell survival or leads to cell death or Apoptosis.  

There’s a good chance you have heard your practitioner speak about mitochondria. Mitochondria are not only our cellular powerhouses but also the cellular directors of survival. Guess what? The body has a dedicated form of autophagy for just for mitochondria: mitophagy.

Our mitochondria are also involved in programmed cell death. This beneficial cell death occurs as a normal and controlled part of eliminating unwanted cells, such as virus-infected, cancerous, or old cells.

As a side note, Unplanned cell death, such as from cellular injury, commonly results in necrosis, a messy process that usually leads to inflammation.

Why are autophagy and mitophagy essential to your health?

Cellular health, which includes autophagy, mitochondrial health, and apoptosis, plays a role in our health. Autophagy declines as we age, and mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging. When autophagy and other cellular processes, such as mitophagy and apoptosis, don’t function adequately, it leads to many age-related diseases. Why? Well, cells that no longer behave or function properly may stick around and live longer than they should, evading apoptosis (cell death), allowing these cells to do harm and multiply, which is the M.O. of cancer cells. All cancers start from some defective cells. Cancer is an abnormal mass or tissue growth that exceeds that of normal tissue, and the growth persists because apoptosis didn’t happen.

How do you support cell and mitochondrial health?

• Consume a nutrient-dense diet. This is foundational for overall health. Nourishing the body with whole foods is key to nurturing the health of your cells, too. Prioritize healthy fats, quality proteins, and low glycemic fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants.   
• Incorporate intermittent fasting into your eating routine. Intermittent fasting is an ancient practice and has been studied at length. Studies show that intermittent fasting activates autophagy. When we fast, and the body senses an absence of nutrients, it prioritizes which cellular parts to keep. Thankfully, the body is intelligent and eliminates the oldest and most worn cellular parts. So, it’s stimulating autophagy. By constantly eating, we prevent the activation of these processes. Extending our fasting times and shortening our eating windows has many benefits. It’s like continually remodeling the house and keeping it fresh and clean.
• Get refreshing and restorative sleep. Many things happen while we sleep. Sleep is a seemingly passive activity, but it is actually a key moment for the health of the human body. Sleep is more than just a period of rest; it triggers a series of biological processes essential for cellular repair and maintenance. Our cells are subjected to oxidative stress and molecular damage as a result of exposure to environmental toxins, free radicals, and other stressors. During sleep, the cells can repair this damage and restore their normal functionality. Also, While we sleep, the process of eliminating metabolic waste and toxins from the brain occurs in the glymphatic system. A network of lymphatic vessels in the brain is activated during sleep to remove accumulated waste.
• Avoid stress. Unmanaged stress impacts the entire body, including your cells. Incorporate daily practices to help your body and cells mitigate and manage stress so you don’t put extra undue stress on your cells.
• Take supplements to give your cellular and mitochondria a boost. There are many options when it comes to supplements to boost cell health. Some of our favorites include:
  • Start with lipid membrane support. with supplements such as phosphatidyl-choline, Omega’3 fatty acids, and Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs).
  • Include minerals. Minerals are foundational for cellular health. They fuel detoxification, promote energy production, and support regeneration. Minerals are the “spark plugs” for thousands of chemical reactions in the body; without them, our cells can’t efficiently perform critical processes.
  • Antioxidants are incredibly important for supporting mitochondria! Antioxidant supplements, such as resveratrol, sulforaphane, and glutathione, scavenge free radicals from the body’s cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation.
  • Proper binders. Binders work to do just as they sound, bind to toxins and cellular debris to help eliminate them from the body.

(of course, it is recommended to take supplements under the watch of a skilled practitioner who can tailor recommendations based on your unique needs)

This spring, give your cells and mitochondria the revitalizing boost they deserve! At In2GREAT, we offer comprehensive testing, innovative IV therapies, peptide therapy, and exosome treatments, all tailored to enhance your cell health. Our personalized supplementation plans are designed to help you thrive! Don’t miss this opportunity to rejuvenate your body from the cellular level up. 

Call us today to learn more and schedule your appointment! Your cells will thank you!