Bioenergetics, Biophysics, and You
Life is amazing! The more I learn about my body and my interconnection with all living systems on this planet, the more grateful I am to be alive, to have a share in something greater than myself. And, when life’s challenges feel overwhelming, it helps me to take a step back and consider the bigger picture. Despite the current state of turmoil created by humanity’s shortsightedness, life on this planet demonstrates real purpose and design. Taking the time to reflect on the fundamental design of living systems is awe-inspiring and expands my sense of well-being. With that in mind, I’m delighted to share with you some amazing facts about bioenergetics, biophysics, and living systems so that you can join me in contemplating how we are wonderfully made!
It turns out that all living organisms, whether they be plant or animal, a single-celled amoeba, or the complex organization of systems within systems seen in the human body, depend on specific processes of energy exchange that occurs both within and between cells, and between a living organism or system and its environment.
The science of bioenergetics studies the ways living systems acquire, store, and convert energy into usable forms to sustain life and support longevity. This includes the dismantling and synthesis of biomolecules and how energy is transformed through biological processes known as cellular respiration or photosynthesis. A complementary field to bioenergetics is biophysics. Biophysics applies the laws of physics to living systems. Principles of biophysics introduce us to concepts that help us understand how your body orchestrates its many activities via a master control center that is more rapid than biochemistry or the nervous system. Understanding these processes sheds light on the mechanisms of energy that underlie your experience of health and wellness.
How Living Systems Use Energy
In living systems, there are three types of cellular energy:
Stationary or potential energy – when energy is stored as a chemical bond, a concentration gradient, or an electrical charge within the cell. The energy is waiting to be transduced or converted into a usable form.
Kinetic energy or energy in motion – Seen when molecules are on the move. This is energy that has been converted from potential energy stores to move electrons, other charged particles, and hydrogen ions through the system.
Energy from heat or thermal energy—Heat moves energy, causing molecules to oscillate, creating movement and flow.
Interestingly, energy in your body is neither created nor destroyed. Instead, it is transformed from one form to another, or transferred from one system to another. The human body is considered an open system because it is constantly exchanging material and energy with other systems.
How Energy is Converted into a Useable Form
Just as a car engine needs a source of fuel and a battery to operate, all living systems need an energy source to sustain life and a “battery” to store energy. In living systems, the primary energy source comes from food and sunlight which must be converted into energy packets to be usable. These energy packets are composed of:
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)—the universal energy carrier found in all types of living cells. The generation and consumption of ATP powers most of your body’s bioenergetic reactions to reorganize macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates) into smaller units needed to energize and synthesize other biomolecules
Protons and hydrogen ions—allow for electrical and chemical potential differences
Sodium ions—also exist in electrical and chemical form
As the energy packets are transported through the cell or through the organelle membrane of structures within the cell, the energy becomes available to drive cellular metabolism while also excreting metabolic waste. The generosity within this system is remarkable as it allows energy carriers in one form to be converted into other forms that exist in your cells. This means that cells can get all their energy needs met even if only one source of energy is available!
Maintaining healthy, functional metabolic pathways which rely on adequate energy exchange is key to health. Excesses or deficiencies of bioenergetic-related proteins (the product of energy exchange and conversion) can have dire consequences on your health as enzyme production becomes defective or disrupted. Rapid aging ensues when your cell’s bioenergetic activity diminishes, by damaging your mitochondria, decreasing its function.
Ways to Support Your Bioenergy
What are some things that you can do every day to keep your body humming along? Here is a list of activities that work to keep your body charged and your battery full. They also support accurate cellular communication so that your master control system (human body-field) can do its job.
Regularly sip filtered water through the day
Move throughout the day – walking, hiking, stretching, swimming, yoga, qi gong, use a rebounder
Rotate your exercise routines
Eat the rainbow – choose fresh organic vegetables, fruit, and whole grains
Get plenty of sunlight
Beware of blue light, choosing warm light tones in the evening
Keep electronics away from your bed
Grounding – when possible, have your skin in contact with the earth: sand, rock, grass, or dirt in order to naturally absorb electrons and recharge your body battery
Go to the beach, the forest, the river, or waterfall to breathe in negative electrons
Breathe clean air
Your body will thank you!
