Mitochondrial health – essential information for nurses

Abstract

One of the most important organelles in the body is the mitochondria. It is crucial for generating energy and producing freeradicals. Mitochondrial health is essential to the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, cellular or molecularmechanisms such as mitochondrial dysfunction are not adequately addressed in the current essentials of the AmericanAssociation of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for all nursing programs. Thus, mitochondrial function content should beincorporated into all nursing curricula that are practice-based. In this article, we will review the anatomy and physiology ofthe mitochondria (i.e., coenzyme Q10), and the need to include mitochondrial health as a concept in nursing. We willpresent various diseases/conditions that are affected by mitochondrial dysfunction such as coronary artery disease,diabetes, and aging. In the future, with the expanding advances in the biological sciences, nurses need to learn more aboutcellular function particularly the mitochondria. Consequently, there should be a new emphasis on mitochondrial health bynurses in education and practice.