Aaron Hartman, MDFunctional Medicine Specialist | Clinical Researcher

Energy Production & Good Fat

13 Jan 2025 · 1 min

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Aaron Hartman, MD explains that cellular energy production—centered in mitochondria—is foundational to health and that improving mitochondrial function supports cognition, hormones, gut health, and lowers disease risk. He highlights the mitochondrial membrane’s phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol) and points to nutrient-rich foods (egg yolks, caviar, organ meats) as sources of healthy fats that support energy formation.

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Energy production is key for your health. If you can't make energy well, it increases your risk for cancer, diabetes, and a whole host of diseases. So why am I talking about energy? Because energy ultimately comes down to one small, small organelle, or an itty bitty little cell inside of a cell in your body called the mitochondria. These are the powerhouses of cells. These are where all the energy is made. And ultimately we're actually learning that every disease comes down to dysfunction and energy production in your mitochondria. So in order to have energy to, to think clearly, to feel well, for your hormones to work, for your gut to work, you have to think energy formation. So I want to talk about, give you all some health hacks and ways to think about improving energy formation. And the first thing are healthy fats. That little organelle, the mitochondria I mentioned, is actually made of the membrane around it's made of fats, specifically types of phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatolethanolamine, phosphatol, inositol. These are fancy words, things that can be found in egg yolks, caviar, organ meats. These are super healthy forms of fats. Your body actually can make this if you eat the right kinds of f.