Apnea, or breath-hold diving, is a practice that fascinates and challenges many enthusiasts of water sports. However, like any extreme physical activity, it carries risks. One of these is oxidative stress, a phenomenon that can have negative effects on health.
Do you know what exactly “oxidative stress” means and how we can protect ourselves?
To address the topic of oxidative stress in apnea, we need to take a deep “dive” into science.
An interesting 2019 study from the European Journal of Applied Physiology: Oxidative stress assessment in breath-hold diving can help us understand what happens to our physiology when we take a deep dive in apnea.
What is Oxidative Stress and How Does it Work?
Oxidative stress is a term that has gained notoriety in recent years, especially in the context of health and wellness. But what exactly does it mean, and why should we be concerned about it?
When we talk about oxidative stress, we need to better understand what ROS, or reactive oxygen species, are.
Reactive oxygen species, or ROS, are highly reactive molecules that contain oxygen. These molecules are naturally produced in the body as a result of various cellular processes, including metabolism and the immune response.
While a small amount of ROS are essential for some cellular functions, such as cell signaling and immune response, an excess of these molecules can cause damage.
Imbalance (as in almost all situations 😩) can lead to damage! Let’s see specifically how this happens.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of ROS and the body’s ability to neutralize them or repair the damage they cause.
Antioxidants are molecules produced by the body, or consumed through diet, that neutralize ROS. When ROS production exceeds the antioxidants’ ability to neutralize them, oxidative stress occurs.
Excess ROS can damage cellular structures, including lipids, proteins, and DNA. This damage can lead to DNA mutations, protein dysfunction, and lipid peroxidation. If not repaired, these damages can contribute to premature aging, degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even cancer.
Let’s look specifically at the damages ROS can cause.
Oxidative damage has profound implications for human health. For example:
- Aging: Aging is a natural process, but oxidative stress can accelerate it. The skin, for example, exposed to environmental factors such as pollution and UV radiation, can undergo oxidative damage that leads to the formation of wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: Diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have been linked to oxidative damage in the brain. ROS can damage neurons and alter neuronal communication, contributing to the progression of these diseases.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Oxidative damage can lead to the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This oxidized cholesterol can deposit in the arteries, leading to the formation of plaques and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Cancer: DNA mutations caused by oxidative stress can lead to the formation of cancer cells. If the body fails to repair these mutations or eliminate these cells, tumors can develop.
Apnea and Oxidative Stress
In the study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, the effects of apnea on the body were explored, particularly regarding the production of ROS.
The test environment was the Y-40 pool, a unique diving location because it allows reaching depths of 42 meters in thermal water.
The results suggested that apnea exposes the human body to environmental stress, increasing the production of ROS.
During the dive, an overproduction of ROS (about +27%) was observed, with a consequent increase in oxidative damage to the lipid membrane (about +12%).
Additionally, antioxidant capacity decreased by 12%.
These changes reflect the hyperoxic and hypoxic conditions that typically occur during apnea trials.
During the research, other parameters useful for defining the effects of apnea on our body were also evaluated.
Let’s look at them in detail.
- GSH (Glutathione): is a molecule that helps protect our cells from damage. In the context of apnea, its amount remained constant.
- Cysteine: is a type of amino acid, a building block of proteins. After a dive, the amount of cysteine in the body decreased, which could be a way for the body to protect cells.
- Aminothiols: are molecules that help regulate the balance of chemical reactions in our body. Apneists had higher levels of these molecules, which could indicate a greater capacity to protect cells from damage.
- iNOS: is a protein that produces nitric oxide, a molecule that helps regulate blood circulation. After the dive, the amount of this protein increased, likely due to changes in body oxygenation.
- PaO2: refers to the amount of oxygen in the blood. During apnea, there are times when we take in more oxygen (hyperoxia) and times when we enter a hypoxic state (less oxygen).
- Neopterin: is an indicator that shows whether there is inflammation or stress in the body. After the dive, the amount of neopterin in the urine increased, indicating an increase in body stress.
- Creatinine: is a waste product that our body produces and is eliminated through urine. After the dive, the amount of creatinine in the urine increased, which could indicate a change in kidney function.
As reported in this study, apnea can cause changes in our body, such as an increase in harmful molecules and a decrease in our ability to fight them. These changes can have effects on our health, but they may also be a normal and adaptive response of the body to diving.
Can you protect yourself and prevent the onset of these situations?
If you’re passionate about apnea, there are some strategies you can adopt to minimize the effects of oxidative stress:
- Progressive Training: As with any sport, it is essential to train progressively. Adaptation to ROS during repeated dives might be linked to adaptive pathways, as suggested by the study.
- Antioxidant-Rich Diet: Foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. These antioxidants can neutralize ROS and prevent oxidative damage.
- Supplementation: Consider supplementing with antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, E, and selenium (under expert supervision).
- Adequate Rest: After a dive, make sure to give your body time to recover.
- Monitoring: If you regularly practice apnea, consider regular checks to monitor oxidative stress levels and other potential health issues. Simple blood tests can reveal a lot about your situation.
Now that you’ve learned more about apnea and how to manage it to minimize the risk of premature aging of cells, you can enjoy this fantastic sport with peace of mind.
If you want to learn more about managing oxidative stress in sports in general and particularly in apnea, write to me at: roberto@undertraining.ch
Through years of experience in anti-aging research and training many champions in apnea and other sports, I can give you specific guidance on your particular case.
You can also request your free consultation here:
Roberto Pusinelli
Physical Activity and Health Promotion DEGREE
Nutrition and Dietectics MASTER
Expert in weight loss and anti-aging
BIBLIOGRAPHY
European Journal of Applied Physiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04224-4
Oxidative stress assessment in breath‐hold diving
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