In the Tayyibat System, Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that mitochondria are not just “batteries” inside the cell, but a vital factory that converts food into energy, water, and heat, using different fuel during fasting than during eating, which changes energy production efficiency and oxidative stress levels. If you are new here, you may benefit from learning What is the Tayyibat System? or reviewing the article Allowed and Forbidden Foods in the Tayyibat System as well as reading Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi’s Biography and finally you can Download the Tayyibat System PDF.
Quick Navigation
What are mitochondria and why are they important for energy production?
Mitochondria are organelles inside cells that act as power generation stations. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that every cell in the body contains thousands of mitochondria, and their primary role is to convert glucose and fatty acids into ATP, the energy currency that cells use for all their functions. Without efficiently working mitochondria, cells feel hungry even if the blood is full of food, because energy does not reach them properly.
How do mitochondria produce energy from food?
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, simplifies this process into sequential steps. First, glucose or fatty acids enter a series of chemical reactions inside the mitochondria. Second, these reactions produce electrons that are transferred through the electron transport chain. Third, these electrons are used to pump protons and then to operate an enzyme that produces ATP. Important byproducts of this process are water, and another byproduct is free radicals that require internal antioxidants to neutralize them.
What is the difference between energy production from glucose and from fats?
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, distinguishes between two main fuels for mitochondria. Glucose provides ATP quickly but produces more free radicals, while fats provide ATP slowly but produce fewer free radicals and more water. During fasting, when glucose drops, mitochondria switch to burning fat, which increases internal water production and reduces oxidative stress. This is one reason why fasting improves metabolic health and energy despite fewer calories.
How is glutathione related to mitochondria and energy?
Glutathione is the strongest antioxidant produced by the body inside the cell. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that mitochondria produce free radicals as a natural byproduct of energy production, and glutathione is responsible for neutralizing these free radicals before they damage the mitochondria themselves or the cell’s DNA. When mitochondria are stressed due to excess glucose or toxins, glutathione is depleted, free radicals accumulate, and chronic oxidative stress occurs, leading to premature aging and chronic diseases.
Why does the Tayyibat System criticize external antioxidants?
Not because antioxidants are harmful, but because focusing on external sources may give a false sense of security. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that the body produces glutathione by itself from simple raw materials, and the efficiency of this production depends on mitochondrial health and being free of toxins. Instead of taking vitamin C or E as pills, it is better to give your body the opportunity to produce natural glutathione by reducing toxic load, improving digestion, and fasting.
How does fasting affect mitochondrial health?
Fasting is not just food deprivation, but an opportunity for mitochondria to reorganize themselves. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that old or damaged mitochondria are removed in a process called mitophagy, which is stimulated by fasting. At the same time, the building of new, more efficient mitochondria is stimulated. Fasting also reduces the amount of incoming glucose, which reduces free radical production and improves the water-to-energy ratio, and increases internal glutathione production. All of this makes mitochondria work more efficiently with less effort.
What is the relationship between mitochondria and chronic fatigue and low energy?
Many people complain of chronic fatigue and low energy even though their lab tests are normal. Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that chronic fatigue is often the result of a defect in the mitochondria themselves, either due to a lack of raw materials they need, or due to the accumulation of toxins that disrupt their work, or due to chronic oxidative stress that slowly destroys them. Improving mitochondrial health does not come from external stimulants, but from removing the causes that harm them and providing them with appropriate fuel.
How can you improve your mitochondrial health through lifestyle?
Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi, may Allah have mercy on him, recommends several practical steps to improve mitochondrial health. First, reduce white flour and refined sugars that cause high oxidative stress. Second, regular fasting that stimulates mitophagy and mitochondrial renewal. Third, improve digestion and absorption so that raw materials needed for glutathione and cellular components reach the body. Fourth, adequate sleep because mitochondria repair themselves during deep sleep. Fifth, reduce environmental and unnecessary pharmaceutical toxins that inhibit mitochondrial function.
Conclusion
Mitochondria are the heart of energy production in the body, and their efficiency determines energy levels, aging, and overall health. Mitochondria produce free radicals as a byproduct, and internal glutathione is responsible for neutralizing them. Fasting improves mitochondrial health by stimulating mitophagy and renewal of damaged mitochondria, reducing oxidative stress, and shifting fuel from glucose to fats. Improving mitochondrial health does not come from supplements, but from reducing the burden and providing the right conditions for the body to rebuild itself.
Read Also
- What is the Tayyibat System?
- List of Forbidden and Allowed Foods in the Tayyibat System
- Biography of Dr. Diaa Al-Awadi
- Download the Tayyibat System PDF
This article is a simplified and organized summary of the video content, aiming to arrange the ideas and concepts mentioned in it and connect them to their context within the Tayyibat System. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
Mitochondria are organelles inside cells that act as power generation stations. Every cell in the body contains thousands of mitochondria, and their primary role is to convert glucose and fatty acids into ATP, the energy currency that cells use for all their functions. Without efficiently working mitochondria, cells feel hungry even if the blood is full of food.
Glucose or fatty acids enter a series of chemical reactions inside the mitochondria. These reactions produce electrons that are transferred through the electron transport chain. These electrons are then used to pump protons and then to operate an enzyme that produces ATP. Important byproducts of this process are water and free radicals that require internal antioxidants to neutralize them.
Glucose provides ATP quickly but produces more free radicals, while fats provide ATP slowly but produce fewer free radicals and more water. During fasting, when glucose drops, mitochondria switch to burning fat, which increases internal water production and reduces oxidative stress.
Glutathione is the strongest antioxidant produced by the body inside the cell. Mitochondria produce free radicals as a natural byproduct of energy production, and glutathione is responsible for neutralizing these free radicals before they damage the mitochondria themselves. When glutathione is depleted, chronic oxidative stress occurs, leading to premature aging and chronic diseases.
Not because antioxidants are harmful, but because focusing on external sources may give a false sense of security. The body produces glutathione by itself from simple raw materials. Instead of taking vitamin C or E as pills, it is better to give your body the opportunity to produce natural glutathione by reducing toxic load, improving digestion, and fasting.
Fasting stimulates mitophagy, a process that removes old and damaged mitochondria, and at the same time stimulates the building of new, more efficient mitochondria. Fasting also reduces the amount of incoming glucose, which reduces free radical production and improves the water-to-energy ratio, and increases internal glutathione production.
Many people complain of chronic fatigue and low energy even though their lab tests are normal. Chronic fatigue is often the result of a defect in the mitochondria themselves, either due to a lack of raw materials, accumulation of toxins, or chronic oxidative stress. Improving mitochondrial health comes from removing the causes that harm them and providing them with appropriate fuel.
Reduce white flour and refined sugars that cause high oxidative stress. Practice regular fasting that stimulates mitophagy and mitochondrial renewal. Improve digestion and absorption so that raw materials reach the body. Get adequate sleep because mitochondria repair themselves during deep sleep. Reduce environmental and unnecessary pharmaceutical toxins that inhibit mitochondrial function.
