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REDOX Reactions: The Engine of Cellular Energy and Guardian of Health

By November 1, 2024No Comments

REDOX biochemical reactions are at the heart of our body’s functioning, playing a central role in energy production. These reactions convert nutrients and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide and water in a process called cellular respiration. It is through this complex series of electron transfers that the body extracts energy from food, an essential mechanism for maintaining all our vital functions.

Cellular Respiration and the Krebs Cycle

Cellular respiration is a process that breaks down large molecules into smaller ones, thereby releasing energy. The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, is one of the key stages in this process. It is during this cycle that the majority of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is produced. ATP is the unit of cellular energy that enables cells to perform a multitude of tasks, from the simplest to the most complex.

In addition to ATP, these reactions create molecules called REDOX signalling molecules. These molecules, made up of two to four atoms, are generated at an impressive rate, several million times a second, in certain cells. They play a fundamental role in maintaining biological balance, guiding crucial functions such as cell repair, waste elimination and protection against external aggression.

The Central Role of Mitochondria

All these reactions take place mainly in the mitochondria, the cell’s energy factory. Mitochondria vary in number depending on the type of cell: heart cells, for example, contain up to 5,000, reflecting their constant and intense need for energy. Connective tissue cells, on the other hand, have far fewer.

The REDOX molecules produced in the mitochondria have essential functions. They send signals inside and outside cells, coordinating processes such as cell division and programmed cell death. This mechanism is essential if the body is to respond rapidly to the changes and stresses it faces.

The REDOX concept: Reduction and Oxidation

The term REDOX refers to chemical reactions in which electrons are transferred between atoms. “Reduction” refers to the gain of electrons, while “oxidation” refers to the loss of electrons. These processes are vital for the body, particularly in the production of energy via the oxidation of glucose.

However, oxidation, when excessive, can cause damage. Oxidative stress, often compared to an internal ‘rust’, leads to a REDOX imbalance that can have serious consequences for health, ranging from cellular degeneration to chronic infections. Ageing, poor eating habits and lack of exercise amplify this phenomenon, making it difficult for the body to re-establish a healthy balance.

Advances in Health and REDOX molecules

Recently, promising advances have been made in the field of supplementation with REDOX signalling molecules. By stabilising these molecules and reintroducing them into body tissues, it is possible to provide cells with the resources they need to maintain a balanced REDOX potential. This represents an innovative way of helping cells to protect, repair and function optimally.

REDOX reactions are not only engines of cellular energy, they are also guardians of our health. A healthy balance between oxidation and reduction is essential to prevent cellular degeneration and the development of disease. In a world where oxidative stress is omnipresent, supporting our REDOX mechanisms is crucial to staying healthy.

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