The Double Edged Sword of Oxygen by Dr. Katrina Tang
No doubt, oxygen is good stuff! If deprived of oxygen, human survival is easily measured in in mere minutes. a lack of oxygen is called hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause seizures, irreversible damage to vital organs, and death. In addition to its life sustaining properties, oxygen has it’s own dark side. It is a deadly fuel for fire, and it is principally responsible for the corrosion of metal, and the deterioration of rubber products. This process is called oxidation, and oxygen is a good oxidizer says Dr. Katrina Tang.
Oxidation is a chemical process where the oxygen content of a compound is increased and elements are removed from an atom. In the 1960s, it was revealed that the free radicals or unstable molecules involved with oxidation create a vicious cycle, which disrupts the chemical bonds within the delicate human structure. These free radicals have been strongly linked to genetic damage, cancer and heart disease. Oxidation causes our cells to simply wear-out from an accumulation of damage. As Katrina Tang puts it, in today’s modern world, our bodies are under an unprecedented assault by powerful oxidizers such as ozone and ultraviolet radiation. Simultaneously with this assault, we fall short of consuming adequate amounts of the various fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants mentions Katrina Tang.
Since the 1960s medical researchers have recommended taking anti-oxidant supplements and free radical scavengers to protect our systems from aging and disease. It was believed that with regard to these supplements, that more was better. However, oxidative processes are necessary to provide the energy required fueling our bodies’ metabolism, and our immune system uses oxygen free radicals to kill potentially harmful microorganisms and defective cells. Large doses of powerful anti-oxidants can slow down our metabolism and weaken our immune system. This is where one comes to appreciate the importance of a balance approach, and we recognize the value of focusing on each patient as a truly a unique individual with their own specific needs and their own predisposing set of circumstances. For more information on Katrina Tang and Katrina Tang Medicine follow to one of her websites for more knowledge and insight.