Patients with Mitochondrial Disorders Frequently Suffer Malnutrition

Revised 8/6/2020

A Dutch study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, revealed that those populations with neurodegenerative diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction are most often malnourished in at least a few to multiple macro and micronutrients. Mitochondrial pathology is at the core of many health conditions, most of which are on significant rise globally.  Mitochondria require quite possibly the greatest nutritional support of any organelle within our cellular physiology.  When nutrients are missing from an individual’s diet and mitochondria are unsupported, they start to burn out. Eventually, after there is sufficient damage, entire neurons start to collapse metabolically. It is this collapse that generates symptoms and ultimately underlying health conditions.

While we recognize several micronutrients that are most often missing in diets and that can leave mitochondria vulnerable, there are also several ingredients in most population diets that equally undermine mitochondrial health: the polyunsaturated fats in seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn) and fructose (fruit juice concentrates, agave, corn syrup, cane sugar, sugar in most cases).

Functional Formularies is proud to offer enteral formulas that are nutritionally complete and free of unnecessary fats and fructose.  Additionally, Liquid Hope and Nourish contain an array of beneficial nutrient dense molecules from many of our organic, whole food, plant-based ingredients.  Whether an individual is trying to avoid a mitochondrial issue or other health conditions and trying to trying to mitigate their effects, a whole foods, a nutrient-dense diet is essential.

~ John Bagnulo MPH, PhD.

Reference:

Zweers H et al. Patients With Mitochondrial Disease Have an Inadequate Nutritional Intake. 2017 JPEN. March 1. 10:148607117699792.epub ahead of print.