Sustainability of Quality of Life Based on METs and VO₂ Max

Your Mitochondria

A Clinical Commentary and Practical Framework

Over the years, I have conducted or reviewed thousands of VO₂ max tests. It is one of the most underappreciated, yet most revealing assessments in clinical health science. While widely seen as a measure of fitness, VO₂ max is far more—it is a strong predictor of longevity, a window into mitochondrial health, and a vital indicator of whether a person can cope with life's demands, both routine and unexpected.

Since the mid-1980s, we have seen a steady and concerning decline in average aerobic capacity. This trend, already worrying, has accelerated alarmingly since the mass rollout of spike-based mRNA vaccines in 2021. We now face a wave of people—often previously well—presenting with unexplained fatigue, breathlessness, immune dysfunction, and difficulty recovering from even mild exertion or infection. Almost without exception, these people demonstrate poor mitochondrial function.

This article outlines the minimum aerobic capacity required to sustain basic life functions and survive everyday and unexpected physiological stress. It explains why VO₂ max should be treated as a vital sign, and how its interpretation, including the respiratory quotient (RQ), gives insight into mitochondrial health.

1. VO₂ Max and Mitochondrial Health and Objective Evidence for ACC Claims

VO₂ max measures the maximum amount of oxygen the body can deliver and utilise during exertion. Oxygen is the fuel mitochondria use to generate ATP — the energy currency of life. When this capacity is low, everything slows: movement, repair, immune response, cognitive function, hormonal balance — everything.

Importantly, we can assess mitochondrial health using VO₂ max testing when paired with respiratory exchange measures, particularly the respiratory quotient (RQ)—the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed (VCO₂/VO₂). A healthy mitochondrion burns fat efficiently at rest and shifts to carbohydrate metabolism with exercise. Abnormal RQ values — either too high or too low — show metabolic inflexibility, poor mitochondrial function, or sympathetic dominance (stress-driven metabolism).

In post-mRNA-vaccine cases, we consistently see signs of impaired fat oxidation, inefficient energy production, and abnormal substrate shifts — all hallmark signs of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Using VO₂ max testing — particularly with RQ analysis — represents a breakthrough in providing robust, laboratory-grade evidence of mitochondrial injury caused by the COVID mRNA vaccine. This objective data is critical for supporting successful ACC claims for complications following medical procedures — in this case, the injection of an experimental gene-based medicine. Moreover, this test doesn't just confirm the injury — it shows where to target treatment. Whether the priority is improving fat metabolism, restoring aerobic capacity, reducing overactive sympathetic drive, or supporting tissue regeneration, VO₂ testing allows us to personalise therapy with precision.

This is hard, actionable science — exactly what's needed to shift the conversation from subjective symptoms to undeniable physiological injury.

2. Minimum VO₂ Max for Basic Living

Daily life requires energy. Even the most basic tasks require oxygen delivery at a level that must not approach the person’s maximum capacity. Activities such as:

• Bathing: 1.5–2.0 METs

• Dressing: 2.0–2.5 METs

• Cooking or housework: 2.5–3.5 METs

• Grocery shopping: 2.5–3.0 METs

These should sit at no more than 30% of a person's VO₂ max. Once these activities demand 40% or more of capacity, life becomes exhausting, and tissue repair and immune function suffer.

To comfortably manage daily life:

• A VO₂ max of 30 ml/kg/min (≈ 8.5 METs) is ideal

• Below 20 ml/kg/min, basic independence is compromised

• Below 15 ml/kg/min, survival through illness or trauma is threatened

3. The Need for Spare Capacity

Here’s what few appreciate: there must always be spare physiological capacity. Life always throws unexpected challenges:

• An infection like the flu or COVID

• A fall or accident

• A need to lift a heavy object, fight for one's life, or run for safety

• The demands of pregnancy, which increase metabolism by ~30%

Without spare capacity, the system breaks.Even normal events like a cold, a long day at work, or disrupted sleep can tip someone into collapse if their VO₂ max is too low.

For a woman carrying a pregnancy to full term, a VO₂ max of 30 ml/kg/min or more is strongly advisable. Below 30, complications become more likely. Below 20, the ability to sustain a healthy pregnancy is questionable.

4. What We’re Seeing Since 2021

Since 2021, we’ve had a surge in patients showing:

• Profound fatigue

• Shortness of breath after minimal exertion

• Dizziness, palpitations, orthostatic intolerance

• Hormonal imbalance and disrupted menstrual cycles

• Miscarriages

• Post-exertional malaise

• Loss of physical resilience and temperature regulation

These patterns are strikingly consistent and often appear soon after mRNA vaccination — but are rarely reported or only after a lengthy delay. I believe this is because:

• Many assume they have a viral bug, take a rest, and hope it passes

• Doctors are reluctant to admit any harm caused by medical procedures or drugs

• As a result, valuable time is lost — and agencies like the ACC then use this delay to decline claims, citing the absence of "timely reporting"

This system punishes patients for not knowing they had a vaccine injury at the time. They and their doctors were not able to find out about it until later, and the ACC then uses this delay against the claimant.

We now see mitochondrial failure showing up across the spectrum, from elite athletes to everyday workers. Most severely affected are the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, muscles, and reproductive organs — all reliant on high mitochondrial function.

We are also witnessing a rise in:

• Neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Parkinsonian syndromes, early-onset dementia)

• Aggressive cancers developing at unprecedented speed and in unusual locations

5. Conclusion: VO₂ Max is a Vital Sign

We must stop viewing VO₂ max as just a performance metric for athletes. It is a core clinical measure — a vital sign of health, resilience, and the capacity to live independently and survive trauma.

• 30 ml/kg/min = resilience and longevity

• 20–25 ml/kg/min = functional but vulnerable

• 15–20 ml/kg/min = impaired and unsafe

• <15 ml/kg/min = medical emergency in-waiting

When VO₂ max drops too low, everything from digestion, to memory, to immunity falters. The body becomes unable to repair, regulate, or defend itself.

We must act early and decisively to build aerobic capacity, restore mitochondrial function, and protect the injured. And we must demand accountability, including support for those harmed by medical interventions, with proper investigation, rehabilitation, and fair compensation.

VO₂ max testing, paired with respiratory quotient analysis, is one of the most powerful tools we have. It reveals what blood tests and scans often miss. It tells us if a person can survive.

It’s time we listened.

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I would like to thank Brendan Roach of Bodylab for sharing his insights. However, please keep in mind that this is my own understanding of this science and my effort to explain it in simple terms.

Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.

Feedback Invitation:

If you notice any errors, omissions, or areas needing clarification, please let me know. Your feedback is welcome and appreciated, and I will gladly make corrections or improvements as needed.