How Do You Treat Mitochondrial Myopathy?

Treatment Options for  Mitochondrial Myopathy with Food Precaution

Mitochondrial myopathy is a complicated health condition that can happen from dysfunctional mitochondria. As many would know, mitochondria are the cellular powerhouses that are responsible for energy production in our body.

Because of mitochondrial myopathy, an affected person feels muscle weakness and multiple system complications and also may be unable to perform exercises. While research continues to explore curative therapies, current approaches prioritise symptom management and mitochondrial support.

Mitochondrial Myopathy – Various Treatment Options

While studying the different treatment options, you will notice most of them to be predominantly supportive. These therapies focus on relieving the symptoms and slowing down the progression of myopathy. A multidisciplinary team comprising physiotherapists, neurologists, and cardiac experts needs to come together to support individual needs.

A Glance at the Key Therapeutic Strategies

Various approaches are suitable to address mitochondrial myopia-related complications. Let’s take a look:

Symptom-specific Management

For heart complications like conduction block or arrhythmia, doctors recommend the usage of a pacemaker. Next, the afflicted person may be given anti-epileptic medications as well to control the recurrence of seizures.

Additionally, if the patient is diabetic, doctors will ask to take suitable tablets or insulin. In the end, they have to include regular gentle exercise in their routine to reduce the effects of muscle fatigue.
 

Pharmacological Therapy

These therapies are relatively newer and aim to directly address the underlying causes of mitochondrial dysfunction. They include:
 

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): This medication has been shown to improve ATP production in deficient patients.
• Idebenone: It is a synthetic CoQ10 analogue with antioxidant properties that sometimes helps revive cellular ATP production.
• Nicotinamide riboside (NR): Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is an NAD+ precursor. A specific formulation (nicotinamide riboside chloride) has been approved by the FDA for treating mitochondrial disease in patients with specific DNA mutations, representing a significant advancement in targeted therapy.
   

Supplementary Therapies

The efficacy of the medical approaches is currently under intense scrutiny.
 

• MTP-131: It is a known mitochondria-targeted peptide that has been proven to improve exercise tolerance in trials.
• Gene Therapies: Now, medical researchers are also introducing CRISPR-based approaches targeting specific mutations that can bring longevity through mitochondrial repair.
   

Besides these medical support systems, aerobic, resistance, and endurance workout regimes can vastly improve all types of clinical and biochemical outcomes.
 

How Can I Repair My Mitochondria?

While we still have not cracked the code on complete mitochondrial repair, there are some solid, evidence-based strategies that could help boost mitochondrial function.
 

Targeted Supplementation

These mainly contain:
 

• Antioxidants: Think Vitamin C, E, and alpha-lipoic acid to fight off oxidative stress.
• L-carnitine: This one helps transmit fatty acids right into the mitochondria.
• NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide): It is a dietary supplement and NAD+ precursor that is being researched for its potential role in metabolic health.and for raising NAD+ levels, which are essential for DNA repair.
   

Lifestyle Interventions

 Weekly, you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, if you do resistance training at least twice a week, that can improve mitochondrial function and efficiency.

Next, one needs to optimise their daily sleep schedule. You should try to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support mitochondrial regeneration. To lessen stress and the mitochondrial damage caused by cortisol, mindfulness meditation is highly beneficial.

Environmental Modifications

To improve mitochondrial function, limit toxins by choosing organic produce and eco-friendly cleaning products. Moreover, consider steering clear of excessive UV exposure and environmental pollutants.

What Foods Repair Mitochondria?

Dietary interventions play a pivotal role in mitochondrial support. In the table below, you can find some top mitochondrial-boosting foods:

The Mediterranean diet which primarily focuses on healthy ingredients like olive oil, fish, and whole grains, is believed to be beneficial for mitochondrial health. Dietary patterns should be carefully managed in consultation with a doctor and dietitian. While concepts like time-restricted eating are studied in general health, they can be risky for mitochondrial patients due to their high energy demands and metabolic fragility. Regular, balanced meals and snacks are often essential. 

Lastly, some people may find ketogenic diets beneficial as these meals tap into multiple energy sources through various pathways.

Take a Step Towards Comprehensive Mitochondrial Health

Managing mitochondrial myopathy requires combining clinical interventions with proactive self-care. While current therapies focus on symptom control, emerging research into gene editing and mitochondrial transplantation offers future hope.

Also Read:

→ What are the Types of Inflammatory Myopathy

→ What is the Best Treatment for Necrotizing Myopathy

→ Best Treatment for Myopathy

→ How Do You Treat Nemaline Myopathy

→ What is Congenital Myopathy