Mitochondrial Dysfunction and HG (or Adrenal Fatigue part 3)

Mitochondria...the word conjures up an image of a picture I had to draw of a magnified mitochondria. It was either middle school or high school. I recall being very proud of the finished product...I wonder if it's stashed away anywhere...hmmm...

Google def: 

1. an organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner layer being folded inward to form layers (cristae).

Rachel over at HyperG Pregnancy sent me a link about mitochondrial dysfunction and HG. Fascinating, complex stuff. Dr. Chandler, the author of the article, began comparing HG to other diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunctions that involved vomiting. She found that in the other "disease processes...severe, ‘unexplained’ nausea and vomiting are present and, more importantly, share mitochondrial components in the form of deficient fatty acid oxidation." She goes on to say that "a critical component of mitochondrial energy production is impaired within the liver (and likely elsewhere) that hinders the liver’s capacity to metabolize fatty acids and detoxify metabolic waste products effectively." So, basically fatty acids can't get processed and the body needs to eliminate them - ergo, vomit. That's her theory anyway.

It seems like there is a lot of minute overlaps in the article and what I've already researched, which I'll note below:

- Mitochondria are responsible for breaking down nutrients and giving energy to cells. One of the key roles they have is breaking down fatty acids. Carnitine - an amino acid micronutrient - is necessary for metabolizing fatty acids (as well as glucose). Carnitine is derived through diet (meat - particularly beef, dairy...), but a leaky gut or poor bacterial balance can prevent proper absorption of this essential nutrient. I found that last part to be particularly interesting, considering the previous post on gut health and HG. (Perhaps unrelated, but I'm also convinced, more than ever, that a vegetarian lifestyle is not a pro-fertility lifestyle.)
- The article mentions "that supplementation with L-carnitine also appears to offset liver damage and improve liver function " in an animal-study (specific to acetominophen damage to the liver). Which, I found interesting because that's what Milk Thistle does, too; it helps the liver repair itself. 

- In the HyperG podcast on methylation, genetics, and HG, Dr. Tim specifically mentions that the heart and the liver are particularly mitochondrially dense. Now I want to re listen to that podcast! I think he also mentioned something about carnitine supporting the oxidation stage of the methylation process. But don't quote me on that yet. 

While reading through the article, though, I couldn't help but think "what about the adrenals?" She mentions liver function over and over, but the adrenals - secretions of which are necessary for full liver function - aren't mentioned once! So, of course, adrenal fatigue and mitochondria need to looked up. I will address that topic in another post.