Let’s be honest — the kind of tiredness you are feeling just doesn’t feel normal.
You’re not just “a bit busy” or “getting older.”
This tiredness is that wired-but-exhausted, dragging-your-body-through-the-day kind of tired.
The “I’m-doing-everything-right-but-still-feel-flat” kind of tired.
The “Where has my spark gone?” feeling.
And I want you to know — you’re not imagining it.
There’s a real, biological reason behind it.
Let’s talk about your mitochondria — the tiny power plants inside your cells that most people have never heard of… but might just be the missing link to your energy.
Mito-what?
Mitochondria are like your body’s little energy factories.
They live inside almost every cell and take the food you eat — your healthy smoothies, your protein-rich meals, even that piece of chocolate you snuck last night — and turn it into a usable form of energy called ATP.
ATP is what fuels every part of your life — your brain, your hormones, your liver, your muscles, your moods.
So when your mitochondria slow down ……You slow down.
And that looks a lot like fatigue, brain fog, low motivation, mood dips, and trouble getting through your day.
Why Do The Mitochondria Slow Down?
This is the part we’re never told.
Mitochondria can wear out — and midlife is a time they often do.
Here’s why:
- Oestrogen and progesterone, our powerhouse hormones, support mitochondrial health. When they fluctuate in perimenopause……Our energy production takes a hit.
- Everyday exposure to toxins, processed foods, stress, and poor sleep increases oxidative stress — damaging mitochondria over time.
- Certain genes (like ApoE4 and MTHFR) can make it harder for your body to detox or repair mitochondria properly.
It’s not your fault — your body is doing its best.
However, if your mitochondria are struggling, no amount of coffee or green smoothies can fix the problem until we address the issue at a deeper level.
Clues Your Mitochondria Might Need Help
Yes, fatigue is the big one — but there are others you might not realise are connected:
- Brain fog or feeling like you’re “not quite with it”
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Slow recovery after exercise
- Feeling cold all the time
- Poor sleep or waking unrefreshed
- Low mood or irritability
- Hormonal imbalances that just won’t shift
Sound familiar?
What’s Really Going On Inside Your Cells?
Here’s the quick version, in human-speak:
Your mitochondria take nutrients from food and run them through what’s called the Krebs Cycle (like an internal treadmill), then through a fancy pathway called the electron transport chain — all so they can create ATP, your energy.
But if you’re missing key nutrients…
Or your hormones are low…
Or inflammation is smouldering away in the background…
That energy-making system gets sluggish.
Instead of feeling sharp and energised, you feel foggy and flat.
It’s not that you’re lazy.
It’s not that you need more willpower.
It’s that your body’s engines are stalling.
And they need some love.
How to Reignite Your Mitochondria (and Get Your Energy Back)
The good news……..
You can absolutely nourish your mitochondria — naturally, gently, and with science-backed tools.
Here’s where I start with clients:
Nutrients That Rebuild Energy from the Inside:
- CoQ10 – like jumper leads for your mitochondria (especially important if you’ve ever taken statins)
- Magnesium – helps create ATP, calm the nervous system, and reduce fatigue
- B Vitamins – fuel the energy cycle and support your brain
- L-carnitine – brings fats into mitochondria to be burned for energy
- Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) – a powerful antioxidant that protects mitochondria from damage
Lifestyle Tweaks That Make a Big Difference:
- Overnight fasting (12–14 hours) gives your body time to clean up old, damaged mitochondria
- Gentle movement like walking or strength training triggers your body to build new mitochondria
- Deep rest and sleep are when repair happens (you can’t heal in go-go-go mode)
- Stress reduction tools – breathwork, adaptogens, and nervous system resets make a bigger impact than you think
A Quick Note About Your Genes
Some people are genetically more prone to low energy due to how their body handles processes such as detoxification and methylation (consider MTHFR, COMT, and ApoE4).
But here’s the truth:
Genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
You may not be in control of the genes you were born with…… However, you are in charge of the effects of lifestyle on the genes.
When we support your body the right way — with food, herbs, nutrients, and rest — we can change the outcome.
From my clinic to you
Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of people who were told, “It’s just stress” or “You’re probably just ageing.”
But I knew better.
And so did their bodies.
Once we gave their mitochondria the tools to rebuild…
The fog lifted.
The energy came back.
And so did the joy, the creativity, and the sparkle in their eyes.
You don’t have to push through the day anymore. You don’t have to accept this level of tiredness as your new normal.
Ready to find out if your mitochondria need support?
I’ve created a simple Mitochondrial Energy Checklist you can download to start tuning in to what your body is really asking for.
And if you’d like personalised support, you can book a Naturopathic Consultation with me — where we’ll look under the hood and build a tailored plan to get your spark back.
Teressa
Naturopath + Biochemist
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
