Mitochondrial health: The secret to energy, mood, and longevity with Dr. Mariza Snyder
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Nov 28, 2025
|4 mins to read
If you’ve ever wondered why midlife feels like a rollercoaster, energy dips, brain fog, mood swings, the answer may lie deep inside your cells. Recently, MitoQ’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Siobhan Mitchell, joined functional medicine expert Dr. Mariza Snyder on her podcast to explore the fascinating intersection of mitochondrial health, menopause, and brain function.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating perimenopause or menopause, or simply looking to future-proof their health.
Meet Dr. Mariza Snyder
Dr. Mariza Snyder is a leading voice in functional medicine and women’s health, with over a decade of experience helping people reclaim their energy and hormonal balance through natural, science-backed strategies. Her expertise spans nutrition, detoxification, stress resilience, and hormone optimization, making her a trusted resource for anyone looking to feel vibrant and energized. Through her popular podcast, Essentially You, Dr. Snyder has interviewed hundreds of experts in health and longevity, creating a global platform for practical, evidence-based advice.
What sets Dr. Snyder apart is her ability to translate complex science into actionable steps. She’s passionate about educating people on how lifestyle choices, from diet and movement to stress management, can profoundly impact cellular health and energy production. Her mission is clear: to help you thrive, not just survive.
Key takeaways from the conversation
1. Menopause is a brain transformation
Dr. Snyder opened the discussion with a powerful insight:
“Menopause is really a brain transformation more than it is anything else because that’s what it feels like.”
Dr. Mitchell agreed, explaining that the perimenopause-to-menopause transition is not just hormonal - it’s neuroendocrine. This shift impacts energy metabolism in the brain, and mitochondria play a starring role.
2. Estrogen loss and mitochondrial dysfunction
“When you lose estrogen during menopause, this is now affecting brain function so severely… mitochondria start to dysfunction a lot more with that loss of estrogen.” ~ Dr. Mitchell.
Research shows that estrogen supports mitochondrial efficiency and glucose metabolism in the brain. Its decline during menopause can accelerate cognitive aging.
3. Preserve energy metabolism to protect the brain
“She [Roberta Brinton] saw that it was really about preserving glucose metabolism in the brain. And the way you preserve that is through supporting mitochondrial function.” ~ Dr Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell emphasized that maintaining mitochondrial health is key to sustaining brain energy and reducing cognitive decline risk. Lifestyle strategies like stress management, blood sugar balance, and targeted supplementation can make a significant difference.
4. Stress and early menopause: The hidden connection
“When you have stress, you are having the opposite of calorie restriction because you are revving up energy use… and that’s overall bad for aging.” ~ Dr. Mitchell.
Chronic stress accelerates mitochondrial wear and tear, potentially triggering earlier menopause and amplifying symptoms like brain fog and mood swings. Dr. Mitchell highlighted the importance of heart rate variability (HRV) as a simple marker for stress and mitochondrial strain.
5. Why MitoQ matters
“MitoQ gets into the mitochondria better than any other supplement on the market… up to 90%, compared to maybe 5% for others.” ~ Dr. Mitchell.
MitoQ’s unique formulation helps protect mitochondria from oxidative stress, supporting efficient energy production and resilience during life’s busiest seasons. Dr. Mitchell noted that most people take MitoQ in the morning on an empty stomach for optimal absorption, but timing can be flexible if fasting protocols are in place.
6. Longevity insights: Calorie restriction and mitochondria
“Calorie restriction is the very best way to improve lifespan… it primes your mitochondria to use energy efficiently.”
Dr. Mitchell explained how practices like time-restricted eating and mitochondrial-targeted supplements activate pathways linked to longevity, such as AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition, similar to the effects of calorie restriction.
Why you should listen
This episode is packed with actionable insights for women in midlife, and anyone interested in optimizing brain health and energy. From the science of estrogen and mitochondria to practical tips for stress resilience and supplementation, Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Snyder make complex biology both relatable and empowering.
Watch the full interview here:
Take action: Support your mitochondrial health today
Ready to put the science into practice? Here are three targeted MitoQ formulations designed to support your mitochondrial health and longevity goals:
MitoQ Pure – Our hero product featuring our breakthrough mitochondria-targeted antioxidant for addressing oxidative stress at its source.
MitoQ +blood sugar - A unique blend of research-backed ingredients Chromium, Zinc and Cinnamon is enhanced with MitoQ® Mitoquinol to support maintaining normal blood sugar and insulin levels.
MitoQ Curcumin - Pairs MitoQ’s mitochondria-targeted antioxidant with anti-inflammatory curcumin to target both oxidative stress and inflammation, two key drivers of aging highlighted in the podcast
Ready to make an investment in your health? Start today.
