Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Metabolic Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
The new understanding of metabolic dysfunction as the common pathway of mental disorders ushers in not only a new approach to treatment but also a re-evaluation of existing treatments and a revised understanding of their value. There are already many known ways to influence metabolic function.
For example, it is well-established that some behaviors undermine mitochondrial function, and limiting them takes on a new urgency. Poor sleep and poor diet are among them. So is excessive stress. While it isn’t always possible to limit the amount of stress in one’s life, it is possible to learn, even at an early age, a wide range of all-purpose coping skills—from deep breathing to expressive writing to meditation .
There are also known measures that increase mitochondrial fitness. To all the well-established reasons for engaging in regular physical activity, add another— it boosts mitochondrial function. Physical exercise stimulates mitophagy, improving mitochondrial housekeeping and clearance of debris.
Among its many restorative functions, sleep counteracts oxidative stress. That, in fact, may be why we sleep. While we sleep, mitochondria are busy reshaping themselves to rebalance their energy-producing capacity. Sleep deprivation decreases their capacity to produce ATP. Sleep not only rejuvenates mitochondrial function, but good mitochondrial function is essential for the ability to sleep. It turns out that mitochondria play a central role in regulating the circadian clock that controls the sleep-wake cycle.
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