What is Cellular Energy? Understanding the Power Within

By Natalie Meriwether, BSN

You may have heard the term “cellular energy” used by your favorite fitness influencer, to describe the benefits of a supplement, or even by your doctor, but what does it really mean? When choosing the best foods, products, and methods to help care for your body, it’s important to understand the benefits. In this article, we will uncover what cellular energy is and how it supports our body’s everyday functions. 

What is cellular energy?

Cellular energy refers to the energy that cells need to successfully carry out their processes and proper function. Cells produce energy through a process called cellular respiration by converting sugar and other molecules into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), aka their main currency of energy. Think of ATP to our cell function as calories are to our body function. Without it, they don’t have the energy to perform. 

What functions is cellular energy used for?

Cellular energy is needed for virtually all functions in the body, here are just a few key examples:

Brain cell communication: Our brains use around 25% of the total available cellular energy in the body, making it our highest energy-consuming organ.¹ Our brain cells need ATP to send messages between each other and to other cells in our body. These signals can trigger actions like hormone release, pain response, reflexes, and muscle contractions.¹

Cellular regeneration: Cells require energy in the form of ATP to regenerate. For example, when you get a scrape or a cut, your skin cells need energy to replicate or regenerate.¹ Optimal cellular energy may also contribute to healthier aging. As we age, ATP availability declines naturally, making it more difficult for our cells to regenerate successfully.²

Muscle contraction: From heavy weightlifting to lifting your arm to take a bite of food, muscle contraction is a necessary body function that requires ATP.

What is the role of NAD+ in cellular energy?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) plays an important role in cellular respiration and helps your cells’ natural ability to convert food into ATP. This means that without sufficient NAD, the process of producing cellular energy is less efficient. Due to its role in cellular energy production, NAD+ is needed for important processes like DNA repair and may even contribute to cellular vitality. † 

According to the National Institute of Health, NAD+ levels have been shown to decrease by up to 50% during adult aging. This may be the result of a natural decrease in NAD+ synthesis or the increased demand of NAD+ for processes like DNA repair.³ Fortunately, supplements like Solgar® Cellular Energy capsules containing Niagen® Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) have been clinically shown to increase NAD+ levels in as soon as 2 weeks. †

Does cellular energy affect overall energy levels ?

Your levels of cellular energy can have effects on your overall energy levels. As we now know, adequate cellular levels of ATP are needed for basic functions such as brain function and physical activity. So, when our cells are running low on ATP, we may experience feelings of fatigue. This makes it increasingly important to maintain a well-balanced diet to support cellular respiration and consider supplementation when necessary. 

Consider Solgar Cellular Energy

Takeaway

When making choices on how to best support our body’s health and well-being, it’s important to understand what’s happening underneath the surface. Cellular energy is important for everyday life and bodily functions, as it fuels each cell’s activity. Aging and poor diet can contribute to lower cellular energy levels, so it’s important to prioritize proper nutrition and wellness at all stages of life.

References:

^{1.    Dunn J, Grider MH. Physiology, Adenosine Triphosphate. [Updated 2023 Feb 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553175/
2.    Aman Y, Schmauck-Medina T, Hansen M, Morimoto RI, Simon AK, Bjedov I, Palikaras K, Simonsen A, Johansen T, Tavernarakis N, Rubinsztein DC, Partridge L, Kroemer G, Labbadia J, Fang EF. 2021 Aug;1(8):634-650. doi: 10.1038/s43587-021-00098-4. Epub 2021 Aug 12. PMID: 34901876; PMCID: PMC8659158. 
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.}