Chapter 14C: Themarox vs. Oxidative Stress: The Proton–Mineral Shield
Beyond “antioxidants”: how ionic minerals buffer acid, steer charge, and stabilize metabolism.
Again, (sorry but this is Substack so I have to keep repeating this), not that I want you to, but if you are uninterested or unknowledgeable in the biochemical and metabolic pathways that I will elucidate in the following, again, I suggest skimming, or just outright skipping to Chapter 15 - “Minerals Made Simple: How Nature’s Elements Keep Water, Plants, and People Alive” This way you won’t get annoyed with me or complain that I am being too “scienc-ey.”
Oxidative stress occurs when the body produces an excess of oxidants called reactive oxygen species (ROS for short).
As you’ll recall, oxidants like ROS are compounds that can “steal” an electron from another compound, causing that compound to destabilize and break down. In short, ROS disrupts normal cellular balance and can interfere with essential functions.
How, you ask? Oh, let me count the ways:
Lipid Peroxidation: ROS attacks cell membrane lipids, leading to lipid peroxidation, breaking down membrane structure and function. This can lead to cell injury, inflammation, and even cell death.
Protein Oxidation: ROS modifies, fragments, or cross-links proteins, altering their structure and function, thus inactivating crucial enzymes, disrupting signaling pathways, and degrading structural components of tissues.
DNA Damage: ROS can break DNA strands, modify DNA bases, and contribute to mutations such as 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine formation (inherited diseases).
Chronic Oxidative Imbalance: When ROS remain unchecked, they can disrupt cellular signaling and regeneration processes, gradually taxing tissues and metabolic efficiency.. Worse (if the story can get worse), ongoing ROS production can cause endothelial dysfunction and reduce nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, contributing to the gradual decline in redox balance observed with metabolic and cardiovascular stress.
Aging and Cellular Decline: Over time, oxidative imbalance contributes to functional decline and reduced cellular resilience often associated with aging.
Now, recall from Chapter 7, where we discussed how trace mineral deficiencies and heavy metal excess are known to influence redox balance and cellular stability across many biological systems. See how the dots are starting to connect? Now that I’ve made you sufficiently nervous about ROS— what can we do about it?
If you are guessing that the answer will relate to trace minerals, you would be absolutely right. But we’re not quite there yet.
First, God did not make us without a little helper against ROS, and that little helper is the hydroxide ion which neutralizes these ROS. However, please don’t confuse the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) with the “hydroxyl radical“ (-OH). The latter is actually an ROS and is one of the most potent oxidants as it can cause lots of damage to cells and tissues in the ways I listed above.
Conversely, the first one, the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) plays a key role in maintaining redox balance within biological systems. So how do we ensure we have enough of it?
Minerals baby minerals—especially iron and sulfur—serve as the foundation for this redox balance.
Asao Shimanishi knew this, which is why he spent decades seeking the “best” black mica, i.e. the highest natural iron content. Since sulfur is critical to iron’s function, his unique processing with sulfuric acid produced a rich sulfate mineral complex. The high-iron black mica deposits of Japan became his chosen source.
Why was iron so essential to him? Because iron supports mitochondrial electron transfer—those remarkable organelles that convert nutrients into usable cellular energy. If your favorite organelle isn’t the mitochondrion, avoid me at parties. I will unleash ATP-fueled fact barrages while you clutch your drink and whisper, ‘…cis-face? trans-face?’ about your Golgi apparatus (ok, you don’t get it so it’s not funny. Whatever).
All jokes aside—mitochondria are the cell’s “power plants,” producing energy through a delicate series of electron transfers and redox reactions along what’s known as the electron transport chain.
Here’s where it all comes together:
Iron-sulfur clusters—tiny molecular cofactors within the mitochondria—mediate electron flow and contribute to the maintenance of redox balance within mitochondria.
Now, suppose your mitochondria aren’t running at “peak performance” and you’re not producing sufficient OH⁻ ions. Would simply supplementing with exogenous antioxidants fix it? Answer: not even close.
While antioxidants like vitamin C or E can help neutralize some ROS, they mostly manage the symptoms of imbalance rather than correct the underlying issue.
The better approach?
At the biochemical level, maintaining mineral balance—particularly of iron and sulfur—is central to the body’s natural oxidation-reduction systems.
Next: Chapter 14D: The Proton Code: How Minerals Keep Acid in Check
P.S. If you’re curious about the volcanic-mineral water purification product that this book led me to help develop, you can find it at Aurmina.com. Think of it as a quiet act of restoration — starting with your water. And yes, I know — I’ve become the guy who includes links at the end. But this one just might change your water (and your mind)
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© 2025 Pierre Kory. All rights reserved.
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