OXYGEN SENSING:
Oxygen sensing is the discovery how cells and the body responds to hypoxia (low Oxygen levels). The response of the baroreceptors in the aortic arch (carotid body) that detects a reduction of blood pressure and altered oxygen/carbon dioxide and pH levels, aims to restore homeostasis by increasing breathing rate (increasing oxygen intake and removing carbon dioxide) and increasing heart rate to pump the oxygen rich blood around the body especially to the hypoxic areas. Each cell in the body has specialised factors called Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF). It is known there are several different HIF factors with different functions. HIF1 sits dormant in the cell until hypoxia activates it (by a complex bio-chemical pathway). HIF, when activated alters the cells genetic and biochemical response, setting of a complex chain reaction that results in either, the cells being able maintain cellular activity for some time, until normoxic (normal oxygen levels) are regained. However, the cell respiration under hypoxic conditions increases Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), that are toxic to the cell if not removed in a timely manner.
So the use of YOGA practices can greatly enhance this process and aid the restoration of homeostasis as soon as possible.
Yoga breathing practices to enhance good gaseous exchange all the time, by ensuring the muscles used for breathing are nice and strong.
A combination of relaxation and stretching asanas into tight areas and directiing the breath to these areas.
Movement of interstitial fluid, that the cells bath in, by the lymphatic system and the capillary vessels, to ensure ROS and other by-products of cellular respiration are removed from the tissues as soon as possible. (Information on ROS, Senescence and cell damage in next month’s blog)
