Summary
- Supplements are extra nutrients in forms like tablets, capsules, or drinks added to your diet.
- Many people with mitochondrial disease (mito) take supplements. However, more research is needed to confirm their effects.
- Supplements aren't meant to cure diseases like mito but may help protect cells.
- The mito cocktail is a mix of supplements customised by a mito specialist for people with mito (not widely used in Australia).
On this page, you'll find:
What are supplements?
Dietary supplements, also called food or nutritional supplements, are meant to supplement the diet. Supplements are available as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids.
Some supplements are thought to protect cells from damage caused during cellular respiration. This is the process where cells break down sugars (like glucose) to create energy. Supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases like mito.4
Supplements are popular globally for people with mito. It is still unknown if supplements are useful for managing mito; more research is needed.
Types of supplements
Nutrients are divided into two main categories, macronutrients and micronutrients. The main difference between them is that macronutrients are needed in larger amounts. They supply the calories needed for energy. Micronutrients are needed in much smaller amounts to support your body's vital functions.
Your health professional may recommend various supplements to help you meet your dietary needs.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are key nutrients that your body needs for energy and to maintain weight or growth. They also maintain your body's structure and function. They fall into three categories:
Micronutrients
The common types of micronutrients are vitamins, cofactors, antioxidants, and minerals. Cofactors and antioxidants can also be vitamins. This is why some supplements may be referred to in multiple ways.7
Nutritional challenges
Research suggests a balanced diet is best to prevent malnutrition in the general population.3 Your diet should include fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains to support cell health. Learn more about nutrition and mito.
A study published by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that many people with mito don't eat enough, for a variety of reasons.
People with mito are at risk of being malnourished because of issues like difficulty swallowing, constipation, lack of appetite and other gastrointestinal problems. However, in the study, when people improved their diet, they often got stronger, felt less fatigued and had a better quality of life. This is because a well-balanced diet can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with mito, support overall health, and provide the necessary energy for daily activities.
About one in four people with mito meet the criteria for being malnourished, despite taking supplements.1
Understanding your specific mito symptoms and lifestyle is crucial to ensure you get the right amount of nutrients. The study found that people with mito have different energy needs, so there’s no one-size-fits-all diet that will work for everyone.
It is recommended that people with mito have regular nutritional assessments to see if they are at risk of malnutrition. Nutritional assessments can be done by your GP, a specialist or a dietitian. Where needed, a diet tailored to your needs under the advice of a dietitian is recommended.1,5
What is Mito Foundation doing about supplements for mito?
Mito Foundation spoke to mito community members to learn about the challenges you face with supplements. To begin addressing these, we are:
- Developing online resources for the mito community.
- Improving the evidence base for supplement use for mito.
- Investigating and seeking funding for specific supplements that may be covered through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or other sources.
Read our report, Dietary Supplements: The challenges faced by Australians living with mito. It discusses what we learned from the community and these actions.
Mito Foundation continues to collaborate with international groups working on supplements for mito. We are committed to building on projects that will benefit the mito community.
The US-based National Institution of Health Office of Dietary Supplements has a dictionary of dietary supplement terms.
Helpful resources
Disclaimers:
- When we mention “supplements” on this page, we are specifically referring to vitamin and mineral supplements. These are products intended to add nutritional value to your diet and are not considered food. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
- Resources provided by the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Limited (Mito Foundation), offers general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. It is essential to assess the suitability of the content for your individual circumstances and make decisions based on your medical condition. The information’s accuracy is subject to change, and we do not guarantee ongoing currency or availability. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Mito Foundation is not obligated to provide updated information. The copyright for this document and its content belongs to, or is licensed to, Mito Foundation, and reproduction without prior written consent is prohibited.
Acknowledgement: Mito Foundation acknowledges the valuable contributions of our reviewers, we thank Dr David Manser (neurogenetics), Dr Christina Liang (neurologist), Dr Maureen Evans (Director of metabolic medicine) and Lori Bonertz (pharmacist) for their review. As well as Diane, Zach, Fiona, Alice, and Michelle, members of the mito community resource review panel.
Author: Mito Foundation
Version: 1
Date published: 19 September 2024
