Free Radicals and Their Relationship to Complex Oxidative Compounds

G.A. Freibott
International Association for Oxygen Therapies
Priest River, ID, USA

Reprinted with kind permission.


   "Singlet O2 is an especially reactive form of oxygen capable of 
   rapidly oxidising many molecules, including membrane lipids.  Its 
   formation in O2-generating systems has often been proposed but 
   clear cut evidence for a damaging role of singlet O2 in such 
   systems has NOT been obtained." (1) (Emphasis added)

   "As to atmospheric oxygen, which is obviously essential to all 
   aerobic organisms, including ourselves, its role is to pick up the 
   electrons released by the oxidative reactions:

        1/2 O2 + 2e- +2 H+-> H2O

   The end result is the same as in ordinary combustion."(2)

Today one hears of the popular theory of the "detrimental free 
radical."  Definition of the word theory, "A plan or scheme existing 
in the mind only; a speculative or conjectural view of something." (3)  
Focus on oxygen based free radicals.  Contrary views of "free radical" 
therapists, scientists, and clinicians presented.

From 1898 to the present hundreds of clinical cases prove the efficacy 
of oxydative therapies.

The commonly accepted electron theory, has been used to explain 
everything from the Periodic Tables to advanced biology.  In the 
fields of mathematics and physics this can be an asset, but in natural 
sciences and chemistry this often creates seeming "double standards".

Continuing the work of the Insitut fur Sauerstoff-Heilvahfahren of 
Berlin, our laboratories have experimented with and supervised the 
manufacture of various complex oxidative compounds.  These compounds 
range from FCG (Functional Carbonyl Group) catalysts and glyoxylate 
cycle enhancers to more simple, yet still highly oxygen contributing 
substances.  All of these have been shown to enhance homeostasis.

   The evidence that a toxin increases lipid peroxidation in vivo does 
   not prove the sequence of events...

    TOXIN - LIPID PEROXIDATION - DAMAGE

   but is equally explained by the sequence

    TOXIN - CELL DAMAGE OR DEATH - LIPID PEROXIDATION. (4)

Every compound excreted by the body is in one form or another bound to 
oxygen for elimination.

The major elements excreted are Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen and 
Sulphur.  Thousands of pieces of historical literature have dwelt on 
the subject of Hydrogen Peroxide and the significance of same.  Yet 
little has been written or discussed about the other unfamiliar 
oxidation state compounds of the peroxides, superoxides and ozonides.

   Interest in the alkali and alkaline earth metal derivatives is now 
   widespread and diverse, and numerous practical applications have 
   evolved, ranging from their uses as air revitalization materials in 
   space cabins to their use in compounding semiconductor 
   materials.(5)

Give voluminous contrary scientific information, this speaker will attempt to engage participants in alternative theoretical speculations.

   The constant concentration of O2 in the atmosphere is maintained by 
   the photosynthesis-respiration cycle...Oxygen occurring in nature 
   is a mixture of three stable isotopes: O16, O17 and O18.  This 
   discovery revealed a discrepancy between the accepted chemical 
   scale of atomic weights which was based on the average weight of 
   atmospheric oxygen (16 amu) and the physical scale based on the 
   atomic weight of O16 (16 amu).(6)

References:

1. B. Halliwell, Oxygen Radicals: A Commonsense Look At Their Nature 
   and Medical Importance, Medical Biology, 62: 72, 1984

2. Christian de Duve, A Guided Tour of the Living Cell, Scientific 
   American Library Press, 1984

3. Funk and Wagnalls, Standard Desk Dictionary, pg. 701, 1986

4. B. Halliwell, Oxygen Radicals: A Commonsense Look At Their Nature 
   and Medical Importance, Medical Biology, 62: 72, 1984

5. Il'ya Ivanovich Vol'nov, Peroxides Superoxides, and Ozonides of 
   Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 
   Moscow, pg. v., 1966

6. Michael Ardon, Oxygen (Elementary Forms and Hydrogen Peroxide), 
   W.A. Benjamin, pg. 3, 1965