Mitochondrial Testing

Mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of the cells, and they generate the majority of the energy we need to live and grow. Mitochondrial diseases are often inherited and arise when the mitochondria are unable to completely burn food and oxygen to generate energy, which is needed for normal cell function. Depending on which cells of the body have low-functioning mitochondria, various health issues and symptoms may develop, including but not limited to:

• Developmental Delay/ Intellectual disability
• Muscle Weakness
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Vision or Hearing Loss
• Hormone Imbalances
• Problems with heart, liver, or kidney function

Mitochondrial medicine is an exciting and rapidly evolving field. Mitochondria are fundamental structures in eukaryotes since they play a dynamic role in cellular metabolism and are critical for ATP production. However, alterations in mitochondrial function can result in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Thus, restoring mitochondrial dysfunction could offer a promising therapeutic approach for such prevalent diseases.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2020.604581/full