Identifying and addressing cellular aspects of fatigue
By Jennifer Harrington, Naturopath, MitoCore
Fatigue isn’t something you should just push through, particularly when it’s chronic. It’s not a lack of motivation or a sign you’re getting older, it’s a cellular signal that your body needs support. At Mitocore, we help you uncover the cellular why behind your low energy by exploring functional markers and restoring balance at the a biological level.
One of the tools we use to investigate hidden causes of fatigue is Live Blood Analysis (LBA), which allows us to observe the shape, movement, and behaviour of your red blood cells under a darkfield microscope. What we see can provide powerful insights into your body's terrain. We also use In-Body Bioimedance analysis to assess the state of cellular hydration and phase angle.
What Live Blood Analysis Can Reveal About Fatigue
1. Loss of Electrical Charge – Red Blood Cell Stacking
In a healthy sample, red blood cells appear round, bouncy and separate, a sign of good zeta potential (electrical charge). When this charge is lost, cells begin to stack on top of each other, reducing their ability to carry oxygen and nutrients efficiently. This also leads to poor microcirculation, contributing to symptoms such as brain fog, cold hands and feet, and muscular fatigue.
One support strategy: Hugo™ High-Intensity PEMF
Hugo PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy helps re-establish the natural charge of your cells. When cells regain their charge, they repel each other rather than stack on top of each other. This improves blood flow, oxygen delivery, and energy production. Hugo’s full-body delivery system enhances mitochondrial function, circulation, and systemic vitality, making it an excellent adjunct for chronic fatigue, burnout, and recovery.
2. Blood Stickiness and Fibrin Build-Up
Another common pattern we observe is sticky blood , often due to excess fibrin, oxidative stress, and sluggish enzyme activity. This results in poor flow through the capillaries, reducing tissue oxygenation and nutrient supply. Clients may feel heavy, slow to recover, or experience unexplained inflammation and pain.
One support strategy: Proteolytic enzymes
Proteolytic enzymes help to break down excess fibrin and protein debris in the bloodstream. By reducing blood viscosity, these enzymes promote healthy circulation, enhance nutrient and oxygen delivery and support a more energised system. When combined with dietary and lifestyle strategies, enzyme therapy can be a game-changer for fatigue rooted in sluggish blood dynamics.
3. Dehydrated Cells
Cells that appear dehydrated have compromised membrane fluidity thus function. The importance of hydration in the intracellular space cannot be overstated but is easily overlooked because the intricacy of it water complexity is vast and hydration isn't just about drinking more water! Dehydrated cells reflect the loss of electrical charge/ magnetism and building hydration is both about biophysics as well as biochemistry. Drinking pure unfloridated water and ensuring sufficient intake of electrolytes is one way to support the biochemical requirements for absorption of water into cells.
Critical support strategy: Filtered water + electrolyte replenishment
Overhydrating with plain water can dilute sodium levels in the blood, disrupting the body’s electrolyte balance. In contrast, hydrating with electrolyte solutions containing sodium, potassium, chloride, and buffering agents such as citrate or bicarbonate helps maintain optimal fluid balance and cellular function. These electrolytes are also essential for the sodium–potassium pump, an energy-dependent system that sustains cellular electrical charge, detoxification, and signaling.
Recharging Energy from the Inside Out
Fatigue isn’t a mystery when you know where to start and what to look for. By combining real-time insights from Live Blood Analysis with cutting-edge interventions like Hugo PEMF, targeted enzyme therapy, and electrolyte optimisation, we build personalised fatigue recovery plans that go beyond symptom relief.
If you are passionate about helping your cells build up its foundations for optimising energy, book an assessment at Mitocore and experience the power of true, adaptive medicine.