CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide is created as a byproduct when potassium forces water into fat.
So carbon dioxide is the acid gas factor, which binds fats and selenium creating the intelligent metabolic activity between the water and fat.
80-90 percent of the carbon dioxide found in plasma is bound to protein and is represented as bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) which first exists in the extracellular spaces as CO2 then as H2CO3 and finally is buffered by the plasma and erythrocytes into sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3) and is regulated by the kidneys. The other 10 to 20 percent is dissolved CO2 gas (removed by the lungs), which is bound to protein as CO3 (2), and carbonic acid (H2CO3). The total CO2 comes from dissolved CO2, H2CO3, HCO3-
and carbaminohemoglobin (CO2HHb).
This occurs in the following way, carbon dioxide in the blood reacts with water in the red blood cells to form carbonic acid. In the blood cells, there is an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase that catalyzes the water and carbon dioxide 5,000 fold, creating a rapid exchange into carbonic acid. This allows tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide reacting with the water in the red blood cells, even before the blood leaves the tissue capillaries.
So a red blood cell creates carbonic acid from water and carbon dioxide. In another small fraction of a second, the carbonic acid formed in the red blood cell now disassociates into hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. The hydrogen ions combine with hemoglobin, as the bicarbonate ions diffuse out into the plasma while chloride ions diffuse into the red blood cells taking the place of the bicarbonate ions. This is made possible by the presence of a bicarbonate/chloride carrier protein in the red blood cell membrane, which acts as a shuttle for these two ions. Thus, the chloride content of venous red blood cells is greater than that of arterial cells. This is known as the chloride shift.
In addition, carbon dioxide can react directly with hemoglobin to form the compound carbaminohemoglobin. This carbaminohemoglobin creates the reversible reaction releasing carbon dioxide into the alveoli of the lungs.
Carbon dioxide then is the venous capillary exchange product after diffusion takes place. The active pressure intake of oxygen relies upon this diffusion. This active process realizes the ability of forced metabolism and is the ash byproduct.
Carbon dioxide is vital to pH balance and is controlled by the respiratory, renal, and posterior pituitary adrenal axis.
Therefore, any of these glands or organs or combinations thereof can affect carbon dioxide levels.
CARBON DIOXIDE IS HIGH WHEN
General considerations:
¬ Water loss- increase water intake
¬ Protein loss- increase protein intake
¬ Hypomagnesemia or hypokalemia causes increased CO2- increase potassium and magnesium
CARBON DIOXIDE IS LOW WHEN
¬ Water loss- increase water intake
¬ Hypermagnesemia or hyperkalemia causes decreased CO2- decrease potassium and magnesium support
