Inside Your Cells: Understanding Energy, Immunity, and Longevity

By Dr. Mahsa Sheikh, Head of Research at REVIV 

Mitochondrial function is central to energy production, immune system resilience, and overall wellness. Mitochondria are the cell’s energy factories, small but powerful organelles that act as the cell’s energy factories, producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation to fuel virtually every biological process, from muscle contraction to brain signalling to immune activation. When an immune response is triggered, immune cells rely on mitochondrial energy to rapidly expand, differentiate, and coordinate defence mechanisms. Beyond simply powering the response, mitochondria help regulate it, producing signalling molecules and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that shape the intensity and resolution of inflammation.

The integrity of mitochondrial function is therefore essential for sustaining both energy levels and immune resilience. When mitochondria are efficient, the body adapts quickly to stressors, mounts robust immune responses, and maintains a balanced inflammatory state. When mitochondrial performance declines, the impact is systemic: fatigue, impaired immune defence, and accelerated aging become more likely. This tight coupling between energy metabolism, immunity, and longevity is why mitochondria are increasingly recognised as critical gatekeepers of health.

When mitochondria become dysfunctional, oxidative phosphorylation is disrupted and ROS production increases. Excess ROS drives oxidative stress, damaging lipids, proteins, and DNA. Mitochondria themselves become a source of inflammatory signalling, releasing mitochondrial DNA and other danger-associated molecular patterns that activate innate immune pathways. This persistent, low-grade inflammation undermines cellular repair, lowers resilience, and accelerates biological aging. Clinically, this process manifests as greater susceptibility to infections, slower recovery from illness, and an increased burden of age-associated chronic disease.

Nutritional and molecular supports play a central role in preserving this mitochondrial performance. NAD⁺ and B vitamins act as key cofactors in energy metabolism, driving oxidative phosphorylation and redox reactions that maintain ATP output. Coenzyme Q10 is both an electron carrier in the respiratory chain and a potent antioxidant, protecting mitochondrial membranes from oxidative injury. Magnesium stabilises ATP and supports multiple mitochondrial enzymes. L-carnitine shuttles long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria, enabling metabolic flexibility and sustained energy production. Deficiencies or imbalances in any of these molecules can disrupt mitochondrial efficiency, weaken immune function, and increase vulnerability to chronic inflammation.

In recent years, translational research has focused on how to restore and protect mitochondrial function through precision interventions. Targeted supplementation with NAD⁺ precursors, coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine has shown promise in improving mitochondrial energy production, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing resilience in conditions ranging from post-viral syndromes to age-related fatigue. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory nutritional strategies, along with lifestyle interventions such as exercise and intermittent fasting, activate pathways like AMPK and sirtuins that improve mitochondrial biogenesis and function. These approaches reflect a shift from treating symptoms downstream to reinforcing the bioenergetic foundations of health upstream.

This is where REVIV integrates cutting-edge science into clinical practice. Our protocols focus on supporting mitochondrial function through targeted intravenous nutrient therapy, designed to deliver key mitochondrial cofactors directly into circulation. By delivering targeted nutrients intravenously, we bypass potential absorption bottlenecks and support rapid cellular uptake where demand is high. This approach aims to restore bioenergetic capacity, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance immune resilience in individuals experiencing high physiological load, whether from lifestyle stressors, recovery demands, or chronic conditions.

Ultimately, healthy mitochondria are not just about energy; they are about adaptability. They are the link between how we generate energy, how our immune system defends us, and how resiliently we age. By combining molecular science with precise, clinically grounded interventions, it is possible to build a stronger foundation for energy, immunity, and long-term wellness.