What is Mitochondrial Disease? | El Paso, TX Chiropractor | Call: 915-850-0900 | Neuropathy "The Painful Enigma" | Scoop.it

Mitochondria are the “energy factory” of the human body. Several thousand mitochondria can be found in nearly every cell. Mitochondria also play several fundamental roles in the body, such as converting chemicals from the foods we eat into energy as well as to process oxygen. Mitochondria produce 90 percent of the energy the human body requires to function accordingly. The purpose of the following article is to describe an overview of mitochondrial disease and well-being.  

 

What are Mitochondrial Diseases?

 

Mitochondrial diseases are characterized as chronic, genetic, and often inherited health issues which ultimately occur when mitochondria fail to produce enough energy for the human body to function properly. Mitochondrial diseases may develop from birth however they can frequently develop at any age. Mitochondrial disease can affect any region of the human body, including the cells of the brain, muscles, heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, eyes, ears, and nerves, among other structures.  

 

When the mitochondria don’t function as well as they should because of another health issue, mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. Furthermore, many health issues can cause secondary dysfunction and result in other neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and muscular dystrophy. People with secondary dysfunction don’t have genetic mitochondrial disease and do not need to be concerned about the ongoing development or worsening of symptoms.