Within the human body,
energy, in the form of ATP, is generated from the food that we eat on a daily
basis. This takes place mostly in the mitochondria, sometimes dubbed the
“energy powerhouse” of the cell. Inside the mitochondria, the Kreb’s citric
acid cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC) help to produce some 30
molecules of ATP per glucose molecule ingested. This ATP alone constitutes the
main cellular energy packets used for all life processes.
More importantly, to generate ATP adequately, the ETC uses most
of the oxygen that we inhale. As we age, however, our bodies become more
hypoxic, lacking the vital oxygen that is necessary to perfuse mitochondria;
this results in lower amounts of ATP generated.
It can stand to be
reasoned that many cases of age-related fatigue and lowered vitality are a
direct result of these hypoxic conditions and reduced mitochondrial
energy-producing capability. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), with a typical
onset being later in life, is an illness characterized by medically unexplained
fatigue lasting at least 6 months and accompanied by infectious,
rheumatological, and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms. It has been demonstrated
that individuals with CFS suffer from great mitochondrial dysfunction with the
degree of dysfunction and severity of the illness being strongly correlated. Moreover, hypoxia has been shown to impair
mitochondrial function and diminish ATP production in other disease states.
Since only 0.3% of all inhaled oxygen is ultimately delivered to the
mitochondria, increasing the oxygen
delivery to the mitochondria by HBOT may actually improve mitochondrial
function and improve age-related fatigue.
In animal studies, HBOT (in comparison to room
air pressure and oxygen levels) has been shown to increase the amount of work
done by mitochondria, improve mitochondrial function after brain injury, and
prevent mitochondrial deterioration.
Despite its importance, mitochondrial dysfunction is only 1
plausible explanation for age-related fatigue. Nutritional, lifestyle,
endocrinological and cardiovascular factors should also be considered to
explain an aging person’s energy decline. With that being said, most patients
can benefit from HBOT, and the therapy could be considered to help any degree
of fatigue, from mild to even the most severe forms, seen in CFS.
No comments:
Post a Comment