Oxygen utilization is a term used to describe how well your body uses oxygen, fat and glucose to make energy. As we age, our ability to utilize oxygen diminishes resulting in the diseases and infirmities of aging. Reduced oxygen utilization leads to increased free radical (oxidized molecules that harm our cells) production that break down our tissues and cause disease. The earliest clinical signs of reduced oxygen utilization are shortness of breath with mild exertion, exercise intolerance (you’ll feel more tired from exercise), sensitivity to cold, reduced body temperature (ideal is 37 degrees C), weakness, fatigue and generalized pain.
As this process continues it leads to chronic disease. All of these symptoms are driven by a reduced ability of your cells to use oxygen to make energy. In order to make energy from oxygen your cells need healthy levels of adrenal and thyroid hormone, good nutritional status (lots of vitamins and minerals), oxygen from your lungs, good circulation by your heart and vessels, fat and glucose. Environmental toxins like heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides, chronic infections, stress and hormonal deficiencies are like wrenches in the gears your cells use to make energy and they block the process.
Exercise and good nutrition feed the cells with nutrients to make energy while toxins block the process, highlighting the importance of a healthy lifestyle and supporting your detoxification processes. Lack of oxygen generates lots of free radicals and deprives cells of vital functions including repair and maintenance mechanisms and enzyme manufacture, including potent antioxidant enzymes that protect our cells, leading to accelerated aging.
While this process isn’t stoppable, we can slow it down and enjoy a longer, healthier life by eating well, exercising, sweating, supplementing with agents that support oxygen utilization like CoQ10, lipoid acid, L-carnitine and major autohemotherapy with ozone.