What Mitochondria, Nitric Oxide, and Creatine Supplements Can (and Can't) Do for Fatigue with Luke Bucci, PhD

Your standard labs came back normal, but your cells might still be starving for energy. If you're doing everything right (the supplements, the diet, the sleep) but still can't shake the exhaustion, the problem might not show up on any bloodwork. What most providers never check is what's happening inside your cells: specifically how well your mitochondria are producing energy, and whether your circulation is quietly declining over time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why standard lab panels miss what's actually driving fatigue at the cellular level What mitochondria really do and how their decline leads to brain fog, weakness, and exhaustion The key supplements with real science behind them: CoQ10, L-carnitine, creatine, lipoic acid, and NAD The truth about nitric oxide: when it supports circulation and when it becomes a problem Why blood flow may be one of the most overlooked factors in chronic fatigue and long COVID recovery Guest: Dr. Luke Bucci is the Chief Scientific Officer of Juvenon, a clinical nutritionist, and a recognized leader in nutritional science with 37+ years in the dietary supplement industry working with Nobel Prize-winning scientists. He's also the recipient of the Science and Innovation Icon Award for his decades-long leadership and innovation in nutritional science and the dietary supplement industry. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://www.energymdmethod.com/masterclass See real patient results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Meet Luke Bucci, PhD 01:00 - Why Standard Labs Miss What's Happening Inside Your Cells 02:30 - What Mitochondria Actually Are 04:25 - What Happens When Mitochondria Don't Work Well 08:10 - Autophagy: How Your Body Takes Out the Trash 10:01 - Exercise, Isometrics and Mitochondrial Health 14:45 - Creatine: Not Just for Bodybuilders 17:10 - How Creatine Works in the Brain and Muscles 20:30 - CoQ10, L-Carnitine and Lipoic Acid for Energy 26:15 - Why Supplements Aren't Enough on Their Own 30:00 - Nitric Oxide, Blood Flow and Fatigue 34:10 - The Risks of Too Much Nitric Oxide 37:30 - Arginine Silicate and Polyphenols Explained 40:45 - Juvenon Products and Final Thoughts Connect with Dr. Luke Bucci: Juvenon Website: https://juvenon.com/ Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Amy Behimer, PharmD, NBC-HWC, to explore how your thoughts and internal patterns may be directly contributing to fatigue, chronic illness, and autoimmune symptoms.   Dr. Amy Behimer is a board-certified health and wellness coach and doctor of pharmacy who lives with and helps people with autoimmune disease feel better and function better using simple, science-backed habits. Her work focuses on moving people out of "doing everything right" and into a sustainable approach that actually fits real life. Through coaching and her podcast, Autoimmune Health Secrets, Amy helps people work with their bodies by paying attention to how they think, feel, and act each day. She believes better health isn't built through perfection or willpower, but by learning the skill of habit change with clarity, compassion, and support.   Together, they break down how chronic stress, perfectionism, and thought patterns can keep the nervous system stuck in a state that worsens fatigue and inflammation. They also share practical ways to begin shifting those patterns in a realistic, sustainable way that supports long-term healing.   In this episode, you'll learn: How your thoughts can directly impact fatigue, inflammation, and autoimmune symptoms Why "doing everything right" can actually keep you stuck and exhausted The connection between nervous system dysregulation and chronic fatigue How habit change plays a key role in healing from autoimmune conditions Simple, realistic strategies to start working with your body instead of against it Why perfection and willpower are not the solution to long-term health   To learn more about Amy Behimer and her work, visit: Amy's Website: www.amybehimercoaching.com Take Amy's Autoimmune Habit Discovery Quiz: www.amybehimercoaching.com/quiz . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, breaks down why so many people with Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome continue to struggle despite trying multiple treatments, supplements, and protocols. If you feel like you've tried everything and you're still not getting better, this episode explains why that may be happening. Evan introduces what he calls the 'Toxic 5', the five hidden root causes that drive symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, and autoimmunity. In this episode, you'll learn: What the 'Toxic 5' are and how they silently drain your energy   Why most treatments only address surface-level issues and lead to plateaus   The three levels of fatigue and where most people get stuck   How toxins and infections build up in the body over time, even from birth   Why detox protocols often fail if your pathways are not properly supported   The step-by-step approach to assessing, supporting, and removing root causes   Why addressing all root causes together is essential for long-term recovery   Evan explains that chronic fatigue is not just stress, aging, or something you have to live with. It's a complex condition driven by underlying factors that, when properly addressed, can lead to real and lasting improvement. Take the free quiz to discover if your fatigue is fixable and get a personalized score with expert recommendations: http://myfatiguescore.com/ . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Tabatha DeBruyn, C.B. (9D), to discuss how breathwork can support nervous system retraining and why it may be an important part of recovery from Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. Tabatha DeBruyn is a Transformational Breath Master and one of the few certified 9D Breathwork practitioners worldwide, specializing in nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and stress recovery. She helps adults, teens, and children navigate anxiety, burnout, grief, and trauma using science-backed breathwork that integrates breath, sound, and somatic practices for full-body transformation. Based in Virgil, Ontario, Tabatha works with clients locally and globally through private and group sessions, and collaborates with businesses and community organizations to deliver corporate wellness workshops designed to reduce workplace stress, improve focus, and support mental well-being. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nervous system retraining is an important part of healing from Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome   How breathing patterns influence stress levels, brain fog, and energy   Why many people unknowingly live in chronic fight, flight, or freeze mode   A simple breathing practice that can quickly shift the body into rest, digest, and heal   How breathwork can improve mental clarity by increasing blood flow to the brain   What 9D breathwork is and how it combines breath, music, sound, and guided coaching   How somatic breathwork can help release stored emotional stress from the body   Practical breath exercises you can use during stress, anxiety, or sleep disturbances   Tabatha explains how becoming aware of your breathing patterns can help regulate the nervous system and create a greater sense of safety in the body. She also shares simple techniques you can use throughout the day to calm your mind, improve clarity, and support your healing journey. To learn more about Tabatha DeBruyn and her work, visit: Tabatha's Website: http://www.tabatha.online/   Free Gift - 5 Minute Morning Routine: https://tabatha.myflodesk.com/align . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Kaitlin Borncamp to discuss one of the most overlooked lifestyle foundations for energy, metabolic health, weight loss, and long-term brain health: 'protein'.   Kaitlin Borncamp is a CPA turned High-Achiever Health Coach, Speaker, and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who helps driven professionals reclaim energy, mental clarity, and consistency without losing career momentum. With over a decade in public accounting, she knows firsthand how high-pressure careers drain health and focus. Known for her direct style and sharp humor, Kaitlin takes a practical, results-driven approach that resonates with high performers who want real change, not perfection. In this episode, you'll learn: Why prioritizing protein is one of the most effective ways to improve energy and blood sugar stability How to calculate your daily protein goal based on your weight or goal weight Why most people are eating far less protein than they think How prioritizing protein naturally crowds out excess processed carbohydrates What protein intake can look like across meals, snacks, and breakfast Why blood sugar balance is essential for energy, body composition, and long-term health How meal spacing and intermittent fasting can support metabolic flexibility How continuous glucose monitors can help personalize nutrition choices Kaitlin explains why better nutrition does not have to mean rigid dieting or perfectionism. Instead, she shares a practical framework that helps busy people make better food decisions, understand how their body responds to meals, and build a more sustainable foundation for feeling better. To learn more about Kaitlin Borncamp and her work, visit: Kaitlin's Site: https://www.feelgreatwithkait.com/ The No-Time Nutrition Blueprint: https://store.feelgreatwithkait.com/ . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, and Larisa Sharipova, MD, explore how bioenergetics can support people with long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome by identifying and correcting energetic imbalances before they become biochemical and physical disease. Larisa Sharipova is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Bioenergetic Specialist, and women's lifestyle doctor who helps women reclaim their health, balance their lives, and thrive naturally. A trained medical doctor and former OBGYN, she now blends Western medicine with holistic healing, bioenergetics, and lifestyle medicine to address the real root causes of hormonal imbalance, fatigue, and accelerated aging.  She is the Amazon bestselling author of ''Listen to Your Body and Regain Your Health'' and the founder of Holistic Expert. As co-host of the Harmonic Alignment Podcast, Larisa explores the new frontier of energy medicine, bridging Western medicine and quantum physics to offer grounded, practical tools women can use right away. In this episode, you'll learn: What bioenergetics actually means and how energy functions inside biological systems How heart rate variability, brain waves, MRI technology, and quantum biology demonstrate measurable energetic activity in the body How energetic incoherence can precede physical symptoms How voice scans and bioenergetic assessments detect organ and emotional imbalances How energetic correction may support detoxification, hormonal balance, and mitochondrial function When to combine bioenergetics with functional lab testing and conventional medicine Why some chronic fatigue cases may require energetic correction before physical healing can fully occur To learn more about Larisa Sharipova, MD, or work with her directly: Website: https://dr-larisa.com Schedule a call: https://harmonicalignment.co/larisa-calendar Book: ''Listen to Your Body and Regain Your Health'' https://a.co/d/0aCgLAUN . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.  

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Gina Worful, MS, RD, to explore what your food cravings are really trying to tell you. Gina Worful, MS, RD, is the founder of the Mastering Mindfulness Institute. Originally trained as a registered dietitian, Gina saw that traditional diet approaches failed to create lasting change. She developed a mindfulness-based methodology that helps people build self-trust and transform their health from the inside out. Today, the Mastering Mindfulness Institute supports individuals, health professionals, and universities in applying this transformational approach. For many people navigating long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other chronic illnesses, food can feel like a battleground. You know what you "should" eat, but exhaustion, depletion, and overwhelm make it difficult to follow through. Gina explains why cravings are not a lack of willpower, but a signal from your nervous system that your body has shifted into protection mode. In this episode, you'll learn: Why cravings increase when your body feels depleted or unsafe   The difference between physical hunger and stress-driven urges   The 3 R method: Reconnect, Reset, Reflect   How early nervous system stress shows up in the body   Why food often becomes associated with safety, love, and comfort   How mindfulness builds self-trust instead of self-control   Why your relationship with food mirrors your relationship with life  Rather than fighting cravings or trying to overpower them, Gina shares how to approach them with curiosity and compassion. When you understand what your body is actually asking for, cravings can soften naturally and become a pathway toward deeper self-awareness and healing. To go deeper into Gina's work and learn her full method, access her free training and explore her programs here: Free Training: https://www.masteringmindfulness.institute/freetraining-806127?am_id=evanhirsch4397 Website: https://www.masteringmindfulness.institute . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Eleanor Stein, MD, to explore how sunlight can be used strategically to increase energy and support recovery in long COVID and ME/CFS. Eleanor Stein, MD, is a medical doctor and psychiatrist with 36 years of personal and clinical experience in complex chronic illness. After experiencing significant improvement in her own health, she shifted her focus to sharing practical, science-based tools rooted in neuroplasticity, hormesis, mindset, and quantum biology. Together, they explain how red and infrared light from the sun directly support mitochondrial function and energy production. They discuss the research showing that red light exposure can increase carbon dioxide output, a marker of improved cellular metabolism, and why this matters for people with fatigue and metabolic dysfunction. They also clarify how light acts as a hormetic stressor, why small doses are beneficial, and how to apply sunlight exposure safely using a personalized Goldilocks dose. In this episode, you'll learn: How red and infrared light from the sun stimulate mitochondrial energy production Why increased carbon dioxide output reflects improved cellular metabolism How blue LED light can negatively impact metabolic function and blood sugar What hormesis means at the cellular level Why small, intermittent stressors activate repair pathways How oxidative stress can be beneficial when properly dosed How to find your personal Goldilocks dose for light exposure Why pacing is critical if you have post-exertional malaise How light, temperature, fasting, and breathwork fit into a broader hormetic framework Why discomfort in the right dose can support healing If you are interested in learning more about Eleanor Stein, MD, and her work, including her community membership "Live! with Dr. Stein", visit: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/live Also, get your free copy of Dr. Stein's guide, "Making Hormesis Work for You: 4 Strategies," and learn how to apply hormesis safely and effectively: https://www.eleanorsteinmd.ca/EnergyMD . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD welcomes Troy Roach, a citizen scientist and educator, to discuss the revolutionary use of low-dose nicotine patches in the treatment of Long COVID. Troy Roach, originally from California and a graduate of Virginia Tech, works as a Medical English teacher for nursing and physiotherapy students at two universities in Madrid, Spain. After being severely debilitated by COVID-19 in March 2020, with his functional capacity reduced to approximately 30 percent, Troy dedicated himself to Long COVID as a citizen scientist. He joined the Renegade Research community, including Remission Biome, and spearheaded an observational study in 2023 on the use of low-dose nicotine patches for the condition. This study analyzed data from 231 participants, with the results published alongside Dr. Leitzke in 2025. Troy is currently preparing for a longitudinal, IRB-approved follow-up study aimed at further developing evidence-based recovery strategies for Long COVID. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nicotine patches differ from smoking or vaping How the cholinergic system and vagus nerve are involved in Long COVID What the "toxic five" are and how they relate to recovery Safe dosing strategies, brands, and protocols used by thousands Why some patients experience "remission events" after just a few doses Key risks, detox reactions, and how to prepare the body for nicotine use Learn more about Troy's work, community and resources: Blog: https://unitedstatesian.blogspot.com/   Main Resources: https://linktr.ee/thenicotinetest . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, unpacks one of the most frustrating and misunderstood symptoms of Long Covid and ME/CFS: post-exertional malaise (PEM). If you feel worse after physical or mental activity (even simple things like doing the dishes or going for a short walk) you might be experiencing PEM. In this episode, you'll learn: What PEM is and how it impacts people with Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue   Why traditional exercise recommendations can make things worse   The role of mitochondria, adrenals, and hormone dysfunction in energy crashes   The "Toxic 5" root causes behind PEM: heavy metals, chemicals, mold, infections, and nervous system dysfunction   A powerful new study showing the biological damage exercise causes in Long Covid patients   How to identify your baseline and pace activity to reduce symptom flares  If you've ever been told to "just push through it," this episode will show you why that advice fails, and what actually works. . We help you resolve your Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) by finding and fixing the REAL root causes that 95% of providers miss. Learn about these causes and how we help people like you, Click Here. Do you have fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or other strange symptoms? You might have Long Covid. Take our free quiz to find out if Long Covid is behind the mystery symptoms you're experiencing, Click Here. For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.