Carbon Dioxide (Co2) is no ordinary molecule. This is an invitation to think deeply about CO2; it is no ordinary molecule, for want of a better expression, it is an exceptional molecule.
What exactly is CO2 ? This poor gas must be suffering from an unprecedented, profound identity crisis; not surprising as society in general seems to abhor and condemn it, and it seems to me that some people do not distinguish between ”air pollution” and “global warming”
Let us have a close look at CO2, namely what it really is and does, based on facts; I’m not denying that “fiction” is probably more fascinating, but let us cast it aside it for another day.
In the atmosphere surrounding planet earth, there is absolutely no denying that CO2 levels have risen in the past two decades; (from approximately 0.035% to approximately 0.04-0.045%). This infinitesimal increase is significant. Paradoxically speaking, minimal increases are too much for planet earth and cause relevant impacts; need we cite the unwelcome phenomena of global warming and the hole in the ozone layer.
Nowadays many in the public opinion perceive CO2 as a toxic and polluting element but the difference must be stressed between an environmental toxic and a climate warming effect, and no organic chemistry, biochemistry or biology book define CO2 as “toxic”; carbon monoxide (CO) on the other hand is truly toxic; death ensues within minutes of intentional or unintentional expose, (depending on its concentration).
The world is certainly not doing well (either) as far as pollution is concerned.
However, if one examines the particles of pollutants in the air, the same is polluted by invisible amounts of toxic metals, chemical agents and organic agents in the liquid or solid state, and CO2 cannot be classed as a pollutant.
Let us turn our attention to Homo Sapiens.
Is CO2 really toxic? I invite you to ponder the following fact: all green plants and vegetables by definition contain the pigment chlorophyl, (otherwise they would not be green).
All green plants and vegetables obtain their energy in the biochemical process of photosynthesis, as can be appreciated in all biology textbooks: oxygen, CO2 and sunlight are vital elementes for energy production, in the process known as photosythesis.
Man eats plants and animals who have been fed on plants; hence, whether one be a vegan, an omnivore or a carnivore, there is no “escaping” CO2.
Man would never have proliferated and multiplied if CO2 were toxic.
In human physiology, CO2 fulfils well determined roles.
Within physiological limits, the presence of CO2 in the blood enables oxygen to dissociate from haemoglobin so that it may enter the cells; this is the final objective of respiration and is known as the Verigo-Bohr effect and the oxygen dissociation curve.
CO2 is vital in the regulation of acid-base balance (pH). The lungs and kidneys work together in order to maintain the acid-base balance as stable as possible. Human breathing directly influences pH through CO2 levels.
Any physician will tell you that CO2 levels are routinely measured in many acute and chronic medical conditions. Optimum levels of CO2 are 5.5-6’5%; in critical pathological conditions, CO2 levels are too low or too high. Levels of endogenous CO2 below 2.5% are not compatible with being alive and well.
Nitric oxide (NO) is the most potent endogenous vasodilator, followed by CO2. However, NO is a free radical associated with inflammatory processes if in excess.
Many subjects affected by high blood pressure are able to achieve better control thanks to the vasodilator effect of CO2.
As we know from the Buteyko breathing method, CO2 also acts as a mild bronchodilator and anxiolytic.
I have been teaching Buteyko breathing since 2003 in my clinical practice, and have been pointing out since then that one should distinguish between CO2 in the atmosphere and endogenous CO2.
Hence I am not “ashamed” to refer to CO2. Why did I use the word “ashamed”? Over the years I have noticed that some Buteyko practitioners exclusively refer to oxygen while CO2 is barely mentioned, as if O2 were the “good guy” and CO2 “the bad guy”.
Why does it make no sense? In order to mantain the status of optimum physical wellbeing described in medical physiology, what matters is that every single molecule, hormone or other substance be present in its right concentration, level or percentage.
This concept applies to any molecule one can possibly think of; O2, CO2, sodium, glucose, calcium, cholesterol etc. If levels of any molecule are too low or too high, even if the molecule or substance is vital there may be health implications.
When it comes to O2 and CO2, oxygen in too high levels may be toxic, (“oxygen toxicity”), while too high levels of CO2 (CO2 retention) affect oxygenation, tissue perfusion, pH and lead to stupour. Obviously in cases of CO2 retention breathing re-training in accordance with the Buteyko breathing method would be counter-productive.
On the other hand, low levels of O2 and CO2 at both cellular and extracellular levels are associated to ill health.
Nitrogen too is another fascinating molecule, to the extent that some have ventilated the hypothesis that beneficial effects of breathing re-training may be attributable to nitrogen. Whether this be the case or not, measuring CO2 levels through the Control Pause is an excellent guide.
Man is nowadays in the paradoxical situation where in there is an excess of CO2 “outside” (in the atmosphere) and too little “inside”(in the human body, attributable to hyperventilation). We should “hold on” to our CO2 in all senses of the word, by reducing hyperventilation, therefore reducing the quantity of CO2 that we exhale in the atmosphere, and you never know—the world too might thank you !
It is my personal belief that when taking breathing re-training into consideration, reference should be made to optimum levels of both O2 and CO2… at least that is what I have been doing. Let us give CO2 a pat on the back!