Good Energy

In Good Energy, Means centers the connection between cellular health and energy production as a key theme, emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthy mitochondria—the “powerhouses of the cell”—to optimize overall well-being. She argues that cellular energy production is fundamental to every process in the human body, from DNA repair to hormone regulation, and that disruptions at the cellular level ripple outward to affect systemic health. This theme underpins the book’s holistic approach, as Means connects metabolic health to broader physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Means introduces cellular energy production by explaining the role of mitochondria, which synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s “energy currency.” She describes mitochondria as “a little universe of buzzing work and activity” (8), personifying cellular processes to make them relatable and engaging for readers. Good Energy, according to Means, is the result of properly functioning mitochondria, while Bad Energy arises when modern lifestyle factors—such as poor diet, chronic stress, and exposure to environmental toxins—damage mitochondrial function. This damage contributes to metabolic dysfunction, which manifests as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and other precursors to disease.

The book also ties cellular health to larger societal issues, critiquing modern lifestyles that promote metabolic dysfunction.