The Invisible Energy Crisis: How Mitochondria & Inflammation Affect You

Ever feel like your body’s an old jalopy running on cheap gas? 

That’s because you’re actually a luxury car.

And chances are, you’re not getting the fuel you need to run at peak performance.

What you need to get back in the race is invisible energy – the high-octane fuel your body craves but might not be getting!

What is Invisible Energy?

While we often focus on the physical energy that keeps us bouncing through our day…the energy we FEEL. There’s another kind of energy working behind the scenes. 

Think of it like your car engine: you are constantly paying attention to your fuel gauge, but not necessarily your oil gauge. Your physical energy is like gasoline: you’re constantly aware of it. On the other hand, invisible energy is like the oil in your body’s motor, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, without you even noticing.(1)

Invisible energy is the energy the human body needs to carry out all the essential bodily functions that keep us alive, such as maintaining our heartbeat, breathing, and optimal brain function. 

You can also think about invisible energy as the energy our bodies need to operate, clean, and heal. 

I call it “invisible” because we’re not actively aware of it, but it’s necessary for our existence.

Think about it—just as you need energy to lift a heavy Amazon box, get through that killer 50-minute barre class, or deal with the mental and physical burden of cleaning out that overstuffed closet (I’m tired just thinking about it LOL), our bodies also need energy to do its internal jobs.

Mitochondrial Energy: The Powerhouse of Your Cells

Imagine your cells as tiny factories. 

Inside these factories are even smaller power plants called mitochondria. These mitochondria are responsible for producing most of your body’s energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

When your mitochondria are healthy, they produce plenty of energy for your body to function optimally. However, factors like stress, poor diet, and toxins can damage your mitochondria, leading to decreased energy production and increased inflammation.

It takes mitochondrial energy to create and repair cells each day—and to keep the heart pumping and the lungs breathing. We need strong cellular energy to think clearly, process information, and retain memories. And those are just a few examples!

Many of us are dealing with invisible mitochondrial energy issues without even realizing it. 

Instead, we notice that we’re wrestling with health problems, inflammation, or other physical, mental, or emotional concerns—things we might never connect to the concept of depleted energy levels. 

But really, having low invisible energy is like trying to win a race with a clogged fuel line – no matter how much gas you pour in, you’re not going anywhere fast!

So, what’s draining your invisible energy reserves? 

Four Crucial Factors Affecting Invisible Energy

There are many reasons you could be experiencing low physical energy levels, which are directly connected to your invisible energy production. Below I am going to outline 3 of your body systems and one critical external factor that negatively affects the first three, and simultaneously steals your energy. 

1. Gut health (microbiome)
2. Liver detox pathways
3. Brain/HPA Axis
4. Toxins

Let’s go under the hood of each of these invisible energy-sucking culprits and see how they impact your invisible energy and overall health.

Factor 1: Gut Health (Microbiome)

Your gut isn’t just a food processor – it’s more like a super-smart onboard computer for your body! 

(Remember KITT from Knight Rider? It’s kind of like that).

Poor gut health can lead to nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and a weakened immune system, all of which can drain your invisible energy faster than a smartphone battery at a concert.(2)

One of the biggest energy vampires is leaky gut syndrome. 

It’s like having a hole in your gas tank—no matter how much premium fuel you put in, it’s all going to leak out! 

When your intestinal lining gets damaged, toxins, undigested food particles, and harmful bacteria “leak” into your bloodstream, sending your immune system into overdrive and leading to chronic inflammation.(3)

This creates a significant drain on invisible energy.

Want to keep your gut happy? 

Fill up on whole, unprocessed foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics. 

Prebiotics, found in foods like garlic, onions, and leeks, feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. While your body can’t process those indigestible fibers, your “good gut bugs” can!

Probiotics are live strains of beneficial gut bacteria found in many foods, including fruit, vegetables, cheese, fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, and even some meats & nuts! Our modern lifestyles and eating habits often lead to a proliferation of harmful bacteria, so probiotics are crucial to help restore optimal balance.

A microbiome test can show you the exact composition and health of your gut bacteria, as well as all the other “roommates” living in there!

Factor 2: Liver Detox Pathways

The liver is THE master detoxifier and recycling facility for the entire body. Every other system depends on it to filter out toxins, metabolic wastes, and used hormones. If the liver gets overloaded, it creates a toxic backlog that disrupts processes throughout the body.

There are 8 main detoxification organs in the human body, but the liver is the most crucial one.

Think of your liver as the primary filter and recycling plant for your entire body.(4) Just as a city relies on its recycling facility to process waste properly, your body counts on the liver to break down and eliminate potential toxins. An overworked or sluggish liver means those toxins accumulate instead.

The liver is also the main metabolizer of hormones like estrogen. When it does not function optimally, hormonal imbalances can occur. 

The liver plays a vital role in bile production to absorb fats and eliminate waste.(5)

One of the liver’s primary jobs is the two-phase detox process. 

Phase 1 involves enzymes that break down toxins into more water-soluble forms, making them easier to eliminate. 

Phase 2 further modifies these compounds by adding molecules like sulfur or glucuronic acid, allowing them to be excreted through bile or urine. 

When phase 1 and 2 detox are working optimally, you’ll likely feel more energized, clear-headed, and vibrant.

But when the liver gets overloaded due to poor diet, environmental factors, or other issues, those toxins can build up and start draining your cellular batteries.(6)

Signs of toxic buildup can look like fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalances, skin issues, digestive problems, and nagging low-grade inflammation.

Optimal liver function is critical for maintaining healthy invisible energy levels. An overwhelmed liver can’t efficiently clear substances that disrupt mitochondrial function and deplete energy production. This taxes your entire system as toxins recirculate.

One of the key ways to support liver function and maintain optimal invisible energy levels is to focus on a diet rich in liver-supportive nutrients, like:

• Sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, cruciferous veggies)
• Antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione)
• B vitamins (leafy greens, legumes, whole grains)

You can also give your liver a boost with supplements like milk thistle and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which are like tune-ups for your body’s detox system.(7)

Milk thistle is particularly impactful, as it protects liver cells from damage and boosts glutathione, one of the body’s master antioxidants. NAC also enhances glutathione levels to support phase 2 detox. 

Prioritizing your liver’s detox capabilities keeps your internal environment clean so your mitochondria can focus on energy production instead of dealing with a toxic backlog. This amplifies healing and revitalizes you mentally and physically!

Factor 3: Brain/HPA Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex network of glands and hormones that regulates the body’s stress response. 

When the HPA axis becomes dysregulated due to chronic stress (either physical or emotional), it’s like driving with the emergency brake on – you’re burning through energy without getting anywhere.(8)

One of the primary hormones involved in the HPA axis is cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone.”

When cortisol levels stay high for too long, it can lead to a condition known as HPA axis dysfunction (previously called “adrenal fatigue”) and other health issues, like poor immune function, brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, all of which can drain your invisible energy reserves. 

The gut and brain are interconnected through what’s known as the gut-brain axis. 

This bidirectional communication pathway allows not only information to pass through but can also be compromised by toxins due to leaky gut. 

Many crucial neurotransmitters are produced in the gut, including:

• Dopamine (responsible for motivation, reward, and pleasure)
• GABA (responsible for calming and relaxing the nervous system)
• Serotonin (responsible for mood regulation, sleep, and appetite control)

Picture your internal systems trying to drive cross-country on a single tank of gas. That’s what living with a dysregulated HPA axis is like – you’re constantly running on empty.

To keep your HPA axis balanced, try:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Physical exercise (yoga or tai chi are great options)
• Getting deep, restful, natural sleep (aim for 7-9 hours per night)
• Vagus nerve stimulation (which can be beneficial for HPA axis regulation)(9)

You can also try adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or Rhodiola, which are like a natural stress-relief system for your body.(10)

Factor 4: Toxins

Environmental toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, forever chemicals, radioactive elements, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can significantly impact invisible energy levels. 

When these toxins accumulate in the body, they can lead to various health issues, including gut microbiome dysbiosis, HPA axis dysregulation, liver stress, hormone imbalances, inflammation, and cellular damage, all of which can drain your invisible energy reserves.

We get exposed to toxins literally all day, every day. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, to the water we bathe in, it’s incredibly difficult to completely avoid toxins. 

One of the primary ways to support detoxification and maintain optimal invisible energy levels is to minimize your exposure to environmental factors. 

This can be achieved by:

• Choosing organic, minimally processed foods whenever possible
• Using natural, non-toxic cleaning products (my go-tos are Branch Basics and Truly Free)
• Upgrade your personal care and beauty products (I have a whole collection of recommendations for you here)
• Filtering your water to remove contaminants (I love water distillers)
• Avoiding plastics, particularly those containing BPA or phthalates
• Getting a high-quality air purifier (Austin Air is my fave and I have 3 in my home)

In addition to minimizing toxin exposure, supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes is crucial. This is why I always recommend opening the internal drainage pathways before starting any sort of detoxification protocol.

When Invisible Energy Issues Create Visible Health Problems

The signs of invisible energy depletion are subtle—in fact, in most cases, you won’t even know it’s happening until it turns into physical symptoms.

Common visible health issues caused by low cellular energy production include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Digestive problems (bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea)
• Skin issues (acne, eczema, or psoriasis)
• Hormonal imbalances (PMS, irregular periods, or menopausal symptoms)
• Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, or irritability)
• Cognitive impairment (brain fog, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating)
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Frequent infections or slow wound healing
• Muscle weakness or joint pain
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or poor sleep quality)
• Headaches or migraines
• Low libido or sexual dysfunction

These symptoms can feel like your body’s check engine light is constantly flashing. 

But don’t worry—by addressing the four factors that impact invisible energy—gut health, liver detox pathways, the brain/HPA axis, and toxins—we can help get your body back into high-performance mode!

That’s where functional medicine comes in…

How to Use Functional Medicine to Optimize Invisible Energy

Picture functional medicine as the master mechanic for your body’s luxury car. 

Instead of just treating symptoms (like putting a band-aid on a check engine light), functional medicine digs deep to find the root cause of your health issues.

A functional medicine practitioner can help supercharge your invisible energy levels by addressing the four key factors we’ve discussed—gut health, liver detox, brain/HPA axis, and toxins. 

It’s like giving your body a complete tune-up and filling it with premium fuel.

Ready to rev up your invisible energy and get your body running like the luxury vehicle it is? 

It’s time to work with a qualified practitioner who can pinpoint exactly what’s causing your energy decline.

Take your first step toward optimal health today >> 

Book a complimentary discovery call with our team of functional medicine experts, and let’s get your energy levels to match your ambition!P