Peroxynitrite is Truly Pernicous!...

Martin L. Pall, PhD, professor of Biochemistry and Basic medical Science at Washington State University stated: "Peroxynitrite reacts with and inactivates several of the enzymes in mitochondria so that mitochondrial and energy metabolism dysfunction is one of the most important consequences of elevated peroxynitrite."

Translation: When the mitochondria have suffered enough free radical damage as to become dysfunctional, energy production is impaired. Your cells do not get the amount of energy they need to function properly. Your cells may function at a level below the optimum although you probably won't feel it.

There is yet one more free-radical mitochondrial consequence as a result of low glutathione levels that you "will" be aware of. Richard Van Konynenburg, PhD, wrote: The resulting partial blockades in the Krebs cycles and the respiratory chains in the red, slow-twitch skeletal muscle cells decease their rate of production of ATP. Since ATP is what powers muscle contractions, the lack of it produces physical fatigue. It becomes chronic because GSH[glutathione] remains depleted."

You might think of free radicals as a hand of marauders circling an oil tanker, preparing to hijack the precious commodity that fuels cars and trains and pretty much the entire Western World. Glutathione molecules could be considered a group of highly efficient bodyguards - handling out electrons and turning vicious marauders into mild-mannered bystanders.