Two papers caught my attention this week. Below you’ll find a brief summary of each, along with my key takeaways.
Nutraceutical Strategies for Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Foods, 2025;14)
This comprehensive review study examined recent research (2020-2025) on how natural supplements can improve mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and multiple sclerosis, as well as certain mental health diagnoses like depression, anxiety, and brain fog. The researchers analyzed around 200 recent articles to understand how mitochondrial problems contribute to brain degeneration and which natural compounds might help.(1)
Mitochondria are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that powers your brain cells. When mitochondria are functioning efficiently, the brain functions better.
With a diagnosis like MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or depression/anxiety, improving your mitochondrial function can help your brain work better, stabilizing your mood and reducing brain fog or fatigue.
The study found that the most effective compounds for supporting mitochondrial function were:
- B vitamins and multivitamin/multimineral complexes, which provide the cofactors needed for energy production,
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential antioxidant, and
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which improve mitochondrial membrane function.
Takeaway: Fundamental nutritional support—B vitamins, a quality multivitamin/multimineral, CoQ10, and omega-3—can significantly support better mitochondrial function, which may translate to improved brain function for people with neurological conditions.
The Contributions of Vascular Comorbidities on Self-Reported Functional Issues in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (Disabil Rehabil. 47(15):3850-9)
This study examined how vascular conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease) impact daily functioning in people with MS. The researchers surveyed 263 people with MS, asking them to complete questionnaires about their ability to perform daily activities like walking, hand tasks, household chores, and social activities. They also asked about any vascular health conditions participants had been diagnosed with.(2)
The results showed that people with MS who also had vascular conditions experienced significantly greater disability than those without these additional health problems.
This held true even when researchers accounted for age, sex, and how long someone had been living with MS.
The areas most affected by having additional vascular conditions were:
- Walking and mobility
- Hand function and fine motor tasks
- Ability to complete household chores
- Participation in social and work activities
Takeaway: This research reinforces why we want to optimize metabolic health to prevent the development of diabetes and heart disease. I monitor this in my patients by tracking blood sugar and insulin levels over time.
If insulin resistance is developing, I recommend reducing carbohydrate intake. Depending on your current eating patterns, this might mean switching from a standard American diet to a Mediterranean diet, from Mediterranean to Paleo, transitioning to a lower-carb Paleo diet with less fruit, or trying a ketogenic diet.
Citations
- Davi F, Iaconis A, Cordaro M, Di Paola R, Fusco R. Nutraceutical Strategies for Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Foods. 2025;14(13).
- Gromisch ES, Neto LO, Lo AC, DeLuca GC, Turner AP, Agresta T, et al. The contributions of vascular comorbidities on self-reported functional issues in persons with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil. 2025;47(15):3850-9.
