Mitochondria + Energy: How We Help Chronic Fatigue
At Sun Valley Natural Medicine we frequently see patients struggling with persistent exhaustion - fatigue that sleep doesn't fix, and rest doesn't relieve. Often, the root cause lies deep within your cells, in the mitochondria.
What Are Mitochondria?
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells. These tiny organelles take nutrients and convert them into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the chemical energy your body uses to fuel everything from brain function to muscle contraction.
When mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, the effects are far-reaching. Fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, and poor stress tolerance are common symptoms—and often misdiagnosed or overlooked in conventional care.
Why Mitochondria Become Dysfunctional
Several factors can impair mitochondrial function. In our clinic, we look beyond symptom management - we search for the root causes behind your low energy.
Chronic infections - like Lyme or Epstein-Barr virus
Environmental toxins - heavy metals, mold exposure
Oxidative stress and inflammation
Nutrient deficiencies - B vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10
Poor mitochondrial biogenesis - your body’s ability to make new mitochondria
Hormonal imbalance - especially thyroid or adrenal dysfunction
Our Approach to Chronic Fatigue and Mitochondrial Health
At Sun Valley Natural Medicine, we use a comprehensive, functional medicine approach tailored to each patient. Here's how we help restore energy at the cellular level:
1. Functional Testing: Using advanced functional labs to assess:
Organic acids (markers of mitochondrial function and nutrient status)
Inflammatory and oxidative stress levels
Nutrient panels
Thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormone balance
Toxin and mold exposure
2. Nutritional & Mitochondrial Support: Using food and targeted supplementation, we rebuild mitochondrial resilience:
Beets, leafy greens, and colorful vegetables rich in polyphenols
CoQ10 or Ubiquinol
L-Carnitine
Magnesium malate
Alpha-lipoic acid
NAD+ precursors (e.g. NMN or niacin)
B-complex vitamins
Antioxidants (e.g. glutathione or resveratrol)
3. Lifestyle Medicine: We guide patients through evidence-based practices to reduce mitochondrial stress:
Restorative sleep strategies
Gentle movement and pacing (especially in post-viral fatigue)
Breathwork, cold therapy, and red light therapy
Sauna and detox support when appropriate
4. IV Therapy & Peptides: For some patients, we may recommend mitochondrial IV nutrient therapy (such as Myer’s Cocktail or NAD+ infusions), or peptides like BPC-157 or MOTS-c under guided care.
Why It Matters
Living in the beautiful mountains of Idaho, our patients want to feel vibrant, active, and clear-headed. Chronic fatigue can rob people of their lifestyle and their joy. The good news? Mitochondria can regenerate. With the right support, your energy isn’t just a mystery, it’s a system we can repair and optimize.
Ready to Reclaim Your Energy?
At Sun Valley Natural Medicine, we believe fatigue is never “just in your head.” Our team is here to help you uncover the root causes, restore balance, and renew your body’s ability to generate lasting, natural energy.