Mitochondria and Recovering From Illness
Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms can last weeks or months for some patients. Often termed "long haulers", these patients have recovered from the worst impacts of COVID-19 and have since tested negative. Yet, they are still experiencing symptoms. According to a recent article from The Journal of the American Medical Association and a study done by British scientists, researchers estimate about 10% of COVID-19 patients become long haulers. It has been seen in those who were hospitalized with COVID-19 and in patients with mild symptoms.
Recovering from any serious illness may take months or sometimes years, particularly following a hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Known as post-intensive care syndrome, an ICU stay may lead to long-term symptoms such as muscle weakness, reduced exercise capacity, impaired pulmonary function, and mental health problems.
Impaired mitochondrial function may be a potential factor for these lingering symptoms. Mitochondria are known as the energy powerhouse of the cell. They are organelles inside of cells that take in nutrients, break them down, and create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy unit of the cell. In addition to their role in energy production, mitochondria are also involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulation of amino acids, metabolites, and enzyme co-factors, neurotransmitter synthesis, insulin secretion, and pyrimidine and lipid production. Because of these important roles, any defect mitochondria function can have widespread consequences.
ICU patients, particularly those with sepsis, show decreased ATP production. A study showed ICU patients make about half the ATP as healthy controls, therefore, targeting mitochondria health may help with recovery and improve muscle function and other symptoms. The essential nutrients required for mitochondrial function include B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and CoQ10. Melatonin, carnitine, taurine, lipoic acid, nitrate, and resveratrol also aid in mitochondrial health. These nutrients have important roles, including antioxidant activities and serving as cofactors in the Krebs cycle. Strengthening the mitochondria with these nutrients may improve their function and, as a result, may support recovery from severe illness.
When looking at mitochondrial disorders, a study found benefits when using a combination supplement of creatine, CoQ10, and lipoic acid. Another study found that combined supplementation with CoQ10, carnitine, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin K1 improved ATP production. Neither of these studies looked directly at severely ill patients, but they did demonstrate that the addition of certain nutrients can improve mitochondrial function.
Research has shown mitochondrial nutrients depleted in patients recovering from severe illness, including thiamine, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, CoQ10, melatonin, and carnitine. Studies are needed to assess if treating these deficiencies via diet or supplementation will improve recovery, but it’s possible that ill patients may experience a similar improvement in mitochondrial function by addressing the deficiencies in these nutrients critical for mitochondrial health.
This hints at a potential role of mitochondria in recovery from severe illness. Utilizing diet and supplementation to ensure the mitochondria are functioning optimally may be an important part of restoring health.