4. Free Radical
Balance
There are multiple factors that modify oxygen demand and
uptake besides the cell work of body movement and organ
function. Such factors include the effects of chemical and
environmental stress caused by foods, water and airborn
pollution. Emotional, relational or career stressors, the
stress of injury and the stress of infection also effect the
body's ability to absorb and utilize oxygen. Accumulation of
these effects can negatively impact on oxygen metabolism and
precipitate functional imbalances in the human system.
The normal activity of energy metabolism creates a
certain number of by-products. These molecules are called
free radicals. With the impact of the above mentioned
stressors greater amounts of free radicals are produced. All
normal molecules have paired electrons in their outer
electron orbits. Free radicals are unstable molecules with
an unpaired electron in their outermost electron orbit. In
an effort to return to a stable state these renegade
molecules steal electrons from healthy molecules causing
tissue damage and aging.
The body produces a number of antioxidant enzymes,
superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and
methione reductase, whose job is to neutralize the free
radicals produced in normal energy metabolism. However, in
an imbalanced or unwell system demand for antioxidant
enzymes is high and natural productivity, due to pathology,
may be low.
When slow, deep breathing and moderate body motion is
activated there is an increased demand for oxygen molecules
which are taken up from the blood. The potential for free
radicals to bond with this available oxygen, neutralizing
the free radical population, may be greatly accelerated when
regular Qigong or Yoga/Pranayama is included in a person's
daily health routine.
There are a number of strategies for resolution of
oxygen deficiency disease (ODD) including the use of
antioxidant nutrients (Vit. A, C, E and selenium),
antioxidant enzymes, coenzyme Q10, germanium and germanium
bearing herbs and hyperbaric oxygen. There is, however,
nothing more available, inexpensive and obvious than oxygen
itself taken in maximum daily doses through moderate
exercise and breathing exercises.
©1996 Roger Jahnke,
O.M.D.