Many people sleep excessively or exercise on weekends to relieve accumulated fatigue. However, the cause of fatigue may not be physical strength but rather 'mitochondria.' This article explores the causes that hinder mitochondrial energy production and ways to resolve them.

◇ Increased fatigue due to mitochondrial overload in the body

Fatigue occurs when the activity of mitochondria in the body is overloaded. There are an average of 200 mitochondria per cell in our body, totaling 100 trillion in the entire body. Mitochondria are the "power plants" of our body. They convert glucose in the blood into energy sources. To produce enough energy sources, sufficient oxygen is necessary. Without oxygen, converting glucose into energy sources reduces energy production to one-twentieth.

Lactic acid, a substance that causes pain, is also produced as a byproduct. When energy production decreases, even slight activity can cause fatigue and concentration declines. When lactic acid, a pain-inducing substance, is produced, the body feels throbbing and fatigue becomes more intense.

◇Stress and obesity overload the mitochondria.

The main causes of inducing mitochondrial overload include stress, lack of sleep, obesity, and hypothyroidism. When under stress, hormones like cortisol are secreted, which excite the body, leading to increased blood pressure and faster breathing. As a result, the body's energy consumption naturally skyrockets. To meet this increased demand, mitochondria try to produce a large amount of energy quickly, but since oxygen is insufficient during this rapid energy production, the amount of energy generated decreases.

If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland secretes less thyroid hormone, which is necessary for smooth metabolism in the body. As a result, mitochondrial metabolism slows down, and the body cannot produce enough energy, leading to fatigue. In people who have gained weight, many fat cells secrete substances that cause inflammation. When inflammation occurs in the body, our immune system becomes active and requires a lot of oxygen. Because of this, energy production in the mitochondria occurs with insufficient oxygen, reducing energy output and causing fatigue.

◇Get sunlight, walk, and consume berries

To relieve fatigue, you must first identify and eliminate the cause. Consistent exercise also helps. During exercise, a substance called myokine is secreted from muscles, which helps eliminate inflammatory substances in the body. When inflammation in the body is reduced, less energy is needed to fight inflammation, thereby decreasing fatigue.

Walking in the sunlight also helps to escape from chronic fatigue. When exposed to sunlight, the body synthesizes vitamin D, which suppresses inflammation in the body and boosts immunity. Endorphins released while walking also have a stress-relieving effect. It is also good to frequently eat berries such as grapes, raspberries, and cranberries. The high levels of resveratrol in berries activate mitochondrial function.

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I feel like I am living with chronic fatigue.

Sunbathing...

The sunshine is very nice today as well.

Go outside and get some sunlight; it should be effective.