Easy-to-understand report on mitochondria

In the Swiss newspaper ‘Blick am Abend’ we found an article on the immune system, mitochondria and their effect on chronic diseases.

Here is a small excerpt:

Hundreds of mitochondria work in each of our cells.

Its best-known task is to provide energy, either by oxidation, i.e. with the aid of oxygen, or by fermentation with the aid of lactic acid. The end product of these complex chemical reactions is adenosine triphosphate or ATP, the currency in which our body’s energy is traded. The mitochondria are therefore also known as the power houses of cells.

Free radicals are formed during the production of ATP. They are broken down by the mitochondria as well as the toxins that we ingest from outside the body.

Mitochondria also synthesise the messenger substances that tell the cell when it should divide or die. This requires the mitochondrion to know, among other things, in which organ it is located. The smallest errors in this suicide program can be the cause of cancer, rheumatism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. The list is probably much longer. It should also include all autoimmune diseases.

The whole article can be read here online:

Link: Article on the 19. April 2013