The UltraMind Solution (130 page)

Energy is something we lose with age. But it can also be lost because of anything that triggers more free radicals and oxidative stress or damage to our mitochondria.

Even as we are learning how mitochondrial injury is a final common pathway in so many neurological and psychiatric disorders, fortunately we are also learning how to protect and defend ourselves.

Getting a metabolic tune-up is not only possible, but also necessary for most of us. This is especially true for those whose score indicates either Self-Care or Medical Care in the quiz in
chapter 11.

Thankfully, by eating a plant-based diet, reducing toxic exposures, and supplementing with mitochondrial protective and antioxidant compounds, we can protect and restore our energy metabolism to optimal function.

Here is what you need to do to boost your energy metabolism.

The dietary factors that boost your energy metabolism are already built into the UltraMind Solution. Just be sure to focus on antioxidant-rich foods such as yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, blueberries, red grapes, spinach, green tea, and the herbs turmeric, ginger, and garlic. The darker and richer the color, the more potent the antioxidants and energy boosters are in food.

The super nutrients that fire up your energy factories or mitochondria include:

Super Mitochondrial-Boosting Nutrients

There are a number of special nutrients that are not “essential” but become essential under conditions of stress, toxicity, and aging and can dramatically improve energy production, improve mitochondrial function, and protect the mitochondria from damage. The most important are:

Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg twice a day

Alpha lipoic acid, 100 mg twice a day

Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg a day

D-ribose, 5 gm a day in powder

NADH, 10 mg a day

This energy booster is taken as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue.

The most important lifestyle factor for supporting your mitochondria and increasing your energy is exercise. In Part III, I have outlined some exercise options for you to follow. If you don’t exercise and you scored high in this key, you need to get moving.

I particularly recommend using an interval training program. It will give you an excellent aerobic workout and it will save you time.

I have outlined a complete interval training program in
The UltraMind Solution Companion Guide
. Please go to
www.ultramind.com/guide
and download this free guide if you want to learn more.

Most of us were never trained to calm ourselves. Unless, of course, we do it with a big jelly doughnut or a glass of chardonnay. A runaway stress response has become a part of our daily lives, but most of us are unaware that we are in a perpetual state of alarm. It is just how we are.