How to Measure Mitochondrial Performance

August 24, 2025 · Posted in innovation · Comment 

Measuring mitochondrial performance can reveal health outcomes before symptoms appear so that you can improve while it is easy. I’m posting this article to record my search results so I and other people can follow up confirming the information and make better discoveries.

Measure Mitochondrial performance

Mitochondrial performance can be measured using various assays that assess parameters like membrane potential, oxygen consumption, and enzyme activity. Common methods include fluorescence-based assays, high-resolution respirometry, and histochemical techniques to evaluate specific mitochondrial functions.

Methods to Measure Mitochondrial Performance

Common Techniques

TechniqueDescriptionAdvantagesDrawbacks
High-Resolution RespirometryMeasures oxygen consumption rate (OCR) to assess mitochondrial function.Direct measurement of function.Requires specialized equipment.
Fluorescence-Based AssaysUses fluorescent dyes to assess mitochondrial membrane potential and other parameters.Real-time monitoring in live cells.Some assays are not fixable.
Succinate Dehydrogenase ActivityMeasures the activity of SDH, an enzyme in the mitochondrial membrane.Provides insight into metabolic activity.Requires specific conditions for accuracy.

Specific Assays

Assay TypeWhat It MeasuresFixable?
JC-1 DyeMitochondrial membrane potentialSome end-point assays are fixable.
Superoxide DetectionMitochondrial superoxide productionNot fixable
Calcium DetectionMitochondrial calcium levelsNot fixable
Mitochondrial Permeability TransitionChanges in mitochondrial permeabilityNot fixable

Considerations

  • Cell Type: Different cell types may respond differently to assays, so it’s important to choose the right method based on the specific cells being studied.
  • Dynamic vs. End-Point Assays: Dynamic assays provide real-time data, while end-point assays measure at a specific time, which may not capture transient changes.

These methods and assays provide valuable insights into mitochondrial health and function, essential for understanding various cellular processes.

Post Lyme Disease Syndrome

April 30, 2024 · Posted in innovation · Comment 

Antibiotics can cure disease but cause another. The treatment for Lyme Disease is doxycycline or amoxicillin.

People get sick after supposedly getting the cure for lyme disease but many suffer long term problems. If the antibiotic treatment cured the original disease, the antibiotics might cause the post treatment syndrome.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7527730

A potential cure for Post Lyme Disease Syndrome could be restoring the biome. Think of it like surgeons treating an injury. The surgeon cut the patient to fix damage and then stitch up the wound after surgery. The same concept could be applied to drugs. Restoring the biome is the stitches.

Day 34 in Bangkok – Measuring Fat, Products, & Desires

March 20, 2019 · Posted in innovation · Comment 

Day 34 of First Principles in Bangkok is a product review of a Xiaomi Mi Fit Smart scale as an example of measuring fat to explain my startup app QuickMatch that measures “fuzzy” desires. I cover the entire process of choosing the product, receiving it, setup, & using it. There are many meta lessons in this video.

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