Mitochondria and the Future of Medicine: The Key to Understanding Disease, Chronic Illness, Aging, and Life Itself

296 Pages·2018·3.22 MB·English

by  Lee Know

PRAISE FOR MITOCHONDRIA AND THE FUTURE OF
MEDICINE
“The topic of mitochondria may seem dry and uninteresting to the uninitiated, but this book makes
mitochondria come to life with vivid descriptions accessible even to those with no training in
biology. From infertility to aging to cancer and neurological disease, Dr. Lee Know will teach you that
mitochondria play a central role in much that we care about in health and disease.”
—STEPHANIE SENEFF, PhD, senior research scientist, MIT Computer Science and
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
“In 1991, when faced with my own health challenges, mitochondria became front and center in my quest for
health. Over the last two and a half decades, more and more researchers and clinicians are finding
themselves interested in these little powerhouses and proclaiming themselves ‘mitochondriacs.’ Dr. Lee
Know does a brilliant job shedding light on this once ignored organelle and shows us how to care for our
most important metabolic system.”
—DR. NASHA WINTERS, coauthor of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer
“Mitochondria and the Future of Medicine is a tour de force of mitochondria and human health. When it
comes to curing chronic disease and extending longevity, it’s not an understatement to say that the content
of this book will be shaping the future of medicine.”
—ARI WHITTEN, best-selling author and creator of The Energy Blueprint
“In Mitochondria and the Future of Medicine, Dr. Lee Know takes the mystery out of the evolving science
surrounding mitochondria. Here, he clearly and concisely describes mitochondrial structure and function
while presenting us with multiple examples of why healthy mitochondria are so crucial to our overall
health. Without conjecture or overreach, Dr. Know also provides the rationale behind nutritional strategies
that have great potential to improve the status of our mitochondria, a central tenet of healthy aging.”
—MIRIAM KALAMIAN, author of Keto for Cancer

Copyright © 2018 by Lee Know.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form by any means
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Originally self published in Canada by Lee Know, ND, in 2014 as Life: The Epic
Story of Our Mitochondria.
Project Manager: Patricia Stone
Developmental Editor: Makenna Goodman
Copy Editor: Deborah Heimann
Proofreader: Nanette Bendyna
Indexer: Linda Hallinger
Designer: Melissa Jacobson
Printed in the United States of America.
First printing February, 2018.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 18 19 20 21 22
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Know, Lee, 1976-author.
Title: Mitochondria and the future of medicine : the key to understanding
disease, chronic illness, aging, and life itself / Lee Know, ND.
Description: White River Junction, Vermont : Chelsea Green Publishing, [2018]
| Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017044901| ISBN 9781603587679 (pbk.) | ISBN
9781603587686 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Mitochondria—Popular works. | Mitochondrial pathology--
Popular works. | BISAC: MEDICAL / Microbiology. | SCIENCE Life Sciences
Cytology. | MEDICAL / Holistic Medicine.
Classification: LCC QH603.M5 K56 2018 | DDC 571.6/57—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017044901
Chelsea Green Publishing
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
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Dedicated to H.E.A.L.
“the Knords”
Erin, Aidan, and Hudson
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: THE FORCE: THE ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF MITOCHONDRIA IN
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Let’s Review Some Cell Biology
The Evolution of the Eukaryotic Cell
Mitochondria: They Are the Force
The Basics of Mitochondria
The Basics of Cellular Respiration and Oxidative Phosphorylation
A Game of Hot Potato: The Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
ATP Synthase: Coupling the ETC with Oxidative Phosphorylation
Mitochondrial DNA: A Curious Relic of Ancient History
A Radical Signal: The Positive Side of Free Radicals
Mitochondrial Mutations: The Beginning of the End
Discarded Theories of Aging
The Mitochondrial Theory of Aging
Extending Maximum Life Span in Mammals
Degenerative Diseases and the Eventual End
It’s Getting Hot in Here: Uncoupling the Proton Gradient
CHAPTER TWO: THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE: HEALTH CONDITIONS LINKED TO
MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION
A Review of Bioenergetics
Food and Oxygen: The Ingredients for Producing Energy
ATP Production and Turnover
The Role of Mitochondria in Cardiovascular Disease
The Role of Mitochondria in the Nervous System, Brain, and Cognitive Health
Mitochondrial Involvement in Neurodegeneration
Depression
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Pay Attention to the Mitochondria
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Fibromyalgia
Type 2 Diabetes
Mitochondrial Diabetes
Medication-Induced Mitochondrial Damage and Disease
Mitochondrial Disease
When Mitochondrial Disease Is the Primary Disease
Treating Mitochondrial Disease
Age-Related Hearing Loss
Mitochondria, Aging Skin, and Wrinkles
Infertility and Mitochondria
Eye-Related Diseases
Stem Cells Require Healthy Mitochondria
Cancers: Understanding the Causes Brings Us One Step Closer to Cures
Aging as a Disease
CHAPTER THREE: NURTURING THE FORCE: NUTRITIONAL AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS
TO IMPROVE MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH
How Do the Birds Do It?
D-Ribose
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)
Coenzyme Q10
LCarnitine
Magnesium
AlphaLipoic Acid
Creatine
B Vitamins
Iron
Resveratrol and Pterostilbene
Ketogenic Diets and Calorie Restriction
Massage and Hydrotherapy
Cannabis and Phytocannabinoids
Exercise and Physical Activity
Pulling It All Together
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
FIGURE CREDITS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR