The role of antioxidants-reductants
From: "Saul Pressman"
Date: Tue Oct 17, 2000 8:12 am
Subject: Antioxidants
Dear Colin,
OK, let's start from the top.
Simplest definitions :
Oxidation = the loss of an electron
Reduction = the gaining of an electron
Oxidant = substance that gains an electron
Reductant = substance that loses an electron
Notice there is no anti-oxidant mentioned. It is really a reductant, a
substance that gives up electrons.
Basic normal cell respiration is :
> Oxidation by Aerobic Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP
glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + 2870 kjoules
Anything that interferes with the amount of oxygen required in this process
is detrimental. Notice that just one molecule of oxygen less produces :
> Impaired Oxidation
C6H12O6 + 5 O2 = 4CO2 + 6 H2O + 2CO + ATP
glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + carbon monoxide + 2500
kjoules
Now the cell is being slightly poisoned by carbon monoxide it itself is
producing, because it can't get enough oxygen to complete the process. If
this state continues, and worsens we have :
> Fermentation by Anerobic Respiration
C6H12O6 = 2C3H5O3 + 2H+ + ATP
glucose ferments = lactic acid + hydrogen ions (acid) + 150
kjoules
which is the equation for the CANCER CELL.
Notice that the energy level is nearly 20 times less compared to normal
respiration (150 kjoules vs 2870 kjoules). That is why most cancer patients
have no energy.
(Also notice that this is the reason that cancer is not contagious. It is
produced only when cellular conditions are deteriorated : hypoxia).
So taking a reductant (so-called antioxidant) that enters the cell and
upsets this equation, by joining with oxygen and leaving less oxygen for the
sugar breakdown, is contributing to a condition that leads to cancer. hence
the warning.
Now every good cell has a constant supply of reductant enzymes
(antioxidants) that prevent damage by ROS (reactive oxygen species, of which
there are many). These protective reductants are superoxide dismutase,
glutathione peroxidase, catalase (specific to hydrogen peroxide) and
reductase. They are perfectly able to take care of the cell and prevent
oxidative damage (so-called free radical damage). They lose effectiveness
only when they are physically prevented by accumulated toxins from
contacting the free radical, allowing it to escape neutralization and wreak
havoc.
So what is the solution? Taking more reductants (anti-oxidants)?
NO. (IMHO)
Clean out the toxins so that the body's own reductant enzymes can do their
job.
(For a football analogy, clear away the blockers so the blitzing line can
sack the quarterback.)
If the cells are not producing enough reductant enzymes, then stimulate
them
to produce more. How?
Strangely enough, ozone therapy has this very effect. This is the paradox of
ozone. It is a strong oxidant, yet its use provokes the cell into
manufacturing
large quantities of the reductant enzymes. This is called beneficial
oxidative
stress. It has been proven in dozens of scientific tests, both clinical and
laboratory. It is one of the strongest effects of ozone therapy.
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy also clears away the toxins and
debris that caused grief in and around the cell in the first place. Bonus!
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy stimulates a huge production of
gamma interferon, interleukin 2, Natural Killer cells, T-cells, etc. Double
bonus!
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy destroys any bacteria or virus
that it contacts, regardless if it is strep (necrotizing fasciitis), staph
(MRSA), HIV, HTLV, herpes, West Nile virus, Ebola, etc., etc., etc. Triple
bonus !
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy increases pO2 (partial pressure
of
oxygen in the blood) and results can be seen up to 20 days after therapy has
ceased. Quad bonus !
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy dissolves clots safely and
removes
atherosclerotic plaque safely. Quint bonus!
As if that were not enough, ozone therapy eliminates rouleaux (pile of
coins) formation where the red blood cells stick together and cannot get to
the ends of the smallest capillaries; thus increasing microcirculation and
preventing amputation of diabetic limbs. Sex bonus! (Wait a minute...that
can't be right...)
As if that were not enough .......
You get my drift.
Against that, what has the anti-oxidant (sic) got to offer?
So, take your Vitamins (A, all the Bs, C, D, E, etc.) which are not really
anti-oxidants. They are vital for proper cell operation and DO NOT INTERFERE
with the normal cellular function of oxidation. In fact they enhance it. It
is a misnomer
to call them antioxidants, as if they were antagonistic to the normal,
crucial
oxidation in the cell.
But stay away from hyped anti-anything products whose benefits are slim and
whose detriments are currently unknown, possibly deadly, and whose price is
exorbitant.
Best of Health
Dr. Saul Pressman, DCh
URL: http://www.plasmafire.com
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"The problems of today cannot be solved using the same thinking that created them". - Einstein