Mitochondria Through the Lens of the Gut–Heart–Brain Axis
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and the problem is projected to worsen in the coming decades.
In a statement released February 25 by the American Heart Association, researchers reported concerning projections for women’s cardiovascular health. According to a review article published in Circulation, analysis of national health surveys and census data indicates a significant rise in cardiovascular disease among American women.
By 2050, an estimated 14.4% of women in the United States will experience cardiovascular disease and/or stroke, up from 10.7% in 2020. Specifically:
- Coronary heart disease is projected to increase from 6.9% to 8.2%
- Stroke from 4.1% to 6.7%
- Heart failure from 2.5% to 3.6%
- Atrial fibrillation from 1.6% to 2.3%
These trends highlight an urgent need to rethink how we approach cardiovascular resilience and prevention.
At the center of this discussion is mitochondrial function—a key regulator of cardiovascular health and an essential determinant of women’s health across the lifespan.
However, mitochondrial dysfunction rarely occurs in isolation. It is shaped by a complex network of biological communication systems. Among the most important—and often overlooked—is the Gut–Heart–Brain Axis.
Understanding this systems biology framework reveals critical clinical leverage points, including:
- Gut-driven inflammatory signaling
- Neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system regulation
- Oxidative stress and mitochondrial resilience
- Early-life and prenatal influences on lifelong cardiovascular health
Through this lens, clinicians can identify root drivers of mitochondrial dysfunction and develop more effective strategies for supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health.
This session will explore new perspectives and practical clinical insights, highlighting how mitochondrial function integrates with gut health, nervous system regulation, and cardiovascular physiology.
Session Faculty
Jeffrey Bland, PhD
Mitochondrial Considerations in the Gut–Heart–Brain Axis
Dr. Bland explores the evolving science connecting mitochondrial health with gut-derived signaling, cardiovascular physiology, and neuroimmune communication.
Sanjay Bhojraj, MD
The Gut–Heart–Brain–Mitochondrial Connection
Dr. Bhojraj examines the clinical implications of the gut–heart–mitochondrial relationship, highlighting mechanisms that influence cardiovascular resilience and metabolic health.
Lisa Portera, DC
Overlooked Drivers of Oxidative Stress: The Gut–Mitochondrial Connection
Dr. Portera will discuss often-missed contributors to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction arising from the gut ecosystem, and how these factors influence systemic health.
Speakers
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Jeff Bland, PhDJeffrey Bland, PhD, is a pioneering figure in the food-is-medicine movement and a leading expert in nutritional biochemistry. As founder of Big Bold Health, he now focuses on longevity through immune health, championing the concept of immune rejuvenation as a pathway to healthy aging. Dr. Bland’s work highlights the powerful role of plant polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids in supporting immune resilience. Widely known as the “father of Functional Medicine,” he has spent more than 40 years advancing nutrition science, regenerative agriculture, and personalized approaches to lifelong vitality.
Dr. Bland began his career in academia as a university professor. In the early 1980s, he became a protégé of two-time Nobel Laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling. Dr. Bland then spent decades as a natural products industry insider and entrepreneur, while also serving as a scientific advisor and mentor to dynamic founders and leading brands.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Bland has traveled the world many times over as a renowned speaker. In 1991, he and his wife, Susan, founded The Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, they established another educational nonprofit called The Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, which brings together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to focus on new models of healthcare delivery, advancements in medical nutrition therapy, and exciting emerging science.
Dr. Bland is the author of The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life, as well as additional books and many research papers. His next book will be published by HarperCollins in March 2027. The Nourished Gene: Rejuvenate Your Immunity, Reverse Chronic Symptoms, and Activate Your Longevity is now available for pre-order from all major booksellers.
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Lisa Portera, DC, IFMCPDr. Lisa Portera is an integrative Doctor of Chiropractic with more than three decades of clinical experience, specializing in chronic, complex inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain.
She is a respected and passionate educator in functional and integrative medicine, serving as faculty for Bastyr University, California, and contributing to The Institute for Functional Medicine’s Bioenergetics Advanced Practice Module. Her work focuses on mitochondrial health and its role in nervous system regulation, sleep, metabolic health, and the gut–brain–mitochondrial connection in chronic pain and fatigue.
Dr. Portera serves on IFM’s clinical mentor team, working closely with military physicians through the National Capital Regional Pain Initiative (NCRPI) at Walter Reed Medical Center, advancing systems biology–based approaches to chronic pain care. She is also certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), with a focus on patients experiencing chronic nociplastic pain.
Currently the Director of Clinical Education and Research at Researched Nutritionals, Dr. Portera is widely recognized for her unique ability to “connect the clinical dots”—translating complex science into practical, impactful strategies that clinicians can immediately apply.
Her work is grounded in the understanding of mitochondria as intelligent cellular messengers, orchestrating resilience, nervous system balance, and the body’s capacity to heal. Through the application of nutrition and lifestyle medicine, she empowers practitioners and patients alike to cultivate a state of cellular safety and adaptability—creating the foundation for meaningful, lasting transformation.
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Sanjay Bhojraj, MDSanjay Bhojraj, MD is an interventional cardiologist and nationally recognized leader in functional and integrative cardiology. He is certified in Functional Medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine and serves as a faculty speaker for IFM and several other national organizations. Dr. Bhojraj specializes in cardiometabolic optimization, mitochondrial health, redox biology, and longevity-focused cardiovascular prevention. He is the founder of the Well12 Program and host of The Curious Cardiologist podcast, where he translates cutting-edge science into practical strategies for improving heart health and resilience across the lifespan.
