In a webinar hosted by Simplycure, Dr Vincenzo Castronovo (integrative physician) and Philippe Calbel (co-founder of PIMO) shine a light on a therapeutic lever that is still (far too) rarely used in practice: mitochondrial function.
Because it does much more than act as an "energy powerhouse": it shapes hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, immunity and even the dialogue with the gut microbiota. All of which offers concrete ways to understand, and support, certain complex patient profiles.
1. The mitochondrion, a barometer of biological age
Their role in ATP production is well known, but mitochondria are not simply energy plants. In clinical practice, their decline can serve as a functional warning signal well before a coded diagnosis appears.
This is the point Dr Castronovo makes: the quality of the "mitochondrial pool" (in other words, the body's ability to maintain efficient mitochondria and clear the dysfunctional ones) reflects biological age more faithfully than chronological age.
And this marker shows up above all in tissues with high metabolic demand: brain, muscle, liver, gut.
Worth keeping in mind: in patients with chronic fatigue of no obvious cause, exercise intolerance or mild cognitive symptoms, exploring the mitochondrial angle can genuinely change management.
2. What impairs mitochondrial function?
In consultation, you sometimes see a gradual decline set in without any clear-cut pathology: fatigue, reduced cognitive performance, mood disturbance, weight gain…
The Simplycure webinar focuses on two central biochemical mechanisms that may explain impaired mitochondrial function:
- Oxidative stress, which generates ROS that attack mitochondrial DNA and the proteins of the respiratory chain
- Carbonyl stress (glycation), which "caramelises" cell structures and blocks their optimal function
To these are added exogenous factors that are often underestimated:
- Exposure to toxicants (e.g. indoor pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals)
- Chronic or post-viral infections (e.g. long COVID)
- Certain mitochondriotoxic treatments (e.g. statins)
Note that statins may inhibit the synthesis of CoQ10, an essential cofactor for the respiratory chain. Monitoring (and potentially supplementation) is called for in patients on long-term treatment.
3. How can optimal mitochondrial function be restored?
In a preventive or supportive approach, several levers can help restart mitochondrial dynamics. In the Simplycure webinar, the PIMO team stresses the importance of a combined, realistic and gradual approach, adapted to each patient.
a. Lifestyle: aim for gentle but regular stimulation
A few simple habits, based on the principle of hormesis, promote both mitophagy (clearing defective mitochondria) and biogenesis (renewing the pool):
- Interval exercise: even short sessions stimulate the whole mitochondrial network
- Intermittent fasting, exposure to cold or heat, brisk walking in mild hypoxia: so many "mini-stressors" that encourage cellular adaptation
These strategies are particularly useful in patients with moderate but functional chronic fatigue.
b. Nutritional support: giving mitochondria what they need
The link between diet and mitochondria is central: a suitable diet supplies the cofactors that cellular metabolism requires.
Some nutrients act directly on mitochondrial function, by supporting the respiratory chain or protecting membranes:
- CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, carnitine, vitamins B1/B2/B3/B5, carnosine, PQQ
- Genistein: a phytoestrogen of interest in perimenopausal women, to stimulate biogenesis
- Postbiotics from the microbiota (such as SCFAs or PQQ): they strengthen the link between the gut and mitochondrial performance
In summary:
Lever Objective Concrete examples Lifestyle Stimulate mitophagy and restart biogenesis Interval exercise · Intermittent fasting · Exposure to cold or heat · Brisk walking in mild hypoxia Nutritional support Supply the key cofactors of mitochondrial function CoQ10, PQQ, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid · Vitamins B1/B2/B3/B5, carnosine · Genistein (especially in perimenopause) · Postbiotics from the microbiota
Case study: post-COVID fatigue and presumed mitochondrial dysfunction
Profile: woman, 52, consultant, long COVID, off work (more than 3 months)
Symptoms:
- Persistent fatigue
- Exercise intolerance
- Brain fog
- Normal standard tests
Proposed strategy:
- MitoBoost (morning): support for ATP production plus antioxidants
- MitoÉlixir (midday): restarting the mitochondrial respiratory chain
- MitoMicro (evening): microbiota and mitochondria support
- Daily walking, light fasting (12/12), filtered water
Observed results (at 6 weeks):
- Better recovery after exertion
- Improved concentration
- Partial return to work
The approach Simplycure sets out here brings these elements together through PIMO's targeted formulations (MitoBoost, MitoÉlixir and MitoMicro), designed to work in synergy on the different levers of mitochondrial function.
4. Bringing mitochondrial health into consultation
The mitochondrial approach does not mean overhauling your practice. For the PIMO team, it slots in as an extra lens, useful with certain complex profiles, particularly in chronic fatigue or a diffuse inflammatory terrain.
When to think of it
- Persistent fatigue with no obvious cause
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Slow post-infectious recovery
- Moderate but disruptive cognitive complaints
- Accelerated ageing or stubborn excess weight
Which tools in practice?
- Targeted history: lifestyle, exposure to toxicants, long-term medication (e.g. statins)
- Biological work-up oriented towards mitochondrial function (where available): CoQ10, lactate, oxidative stress, B vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid…
- Targeted supplements according to the profile:
- MitoBoost → energy and antioxidants
- MitoÉlixir → mitochondrial enzyme support
- MitoMicro → microbiota and mitochondria link
And what about adherence?
Mitochondrial support often rests on a gradual, combined and evolving strategy. To make it easier to put in place, it helps to be able to centralise recommendations, structure courses by profile and follow progress over time.
The Simplycure tool was designed with this in mind: it lets the practitioner create a personalised protocol, recommend the right products at the right time, and track adherence in a simple, readable way.
Conclusion: mitochondrial function, an underrated lever
As we have seen, mitochondrial function offers a valuable lens on complex functional presentations: chronic fatigue, slow post-infectious recovery, diffuse symptoms with no obvious cause.
Without revolutionising practice, it helps sharpen your reasoning, structure your actions and support certain patient profiles more precisely.
In line with Simplycure's aim of easing the shift towards more preventive, personalised and integrative medicine, concrete tools exist to support you in this work.
Would you like to know more, or to be supported in this approach? Get in touch with our team.
References
- Michael Brownlee; The Pathobiology of Diabetic Complications: A Unifying Mechanism. Diabetes 1 June 2005; 54 (6): 1615-1625. https://doi.org/10.2337/diabetes.54.6.1615
- Avni, Tomer et al.; The Safety of Intravenous Iron Preparations. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 90, Issue 1, 12-23.
- Little, J. P. et al. (2010). A practical model of low-volume high-intensity interval training induces mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle. The Journal of Physiology, 588(6), 1011-1022. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2009.181743
- Leader G et al.; Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022; 14(7):1471. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071471
