Singlet Oxygen

Also known as:  O2[1 delta g];  Singlet Molecular Oxygen

Singlet Oxygen is a highly activated, long-lived and potent type of Oxygen that is a Free Radical - it is formed during regular metabolic processes.

Aging Process

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may accelerate the progression of the Aging Process (including the Aging Process in the Skin).  ^[1]

Cardiovascular System

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may rupture the Cell Membranes of Red Blood Cells.

Immune System

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may be implicated in Cancer as they can induce pre-cancerous changes in cells.

Metabolism

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals generated within the Retina of the Eye may be a primary cause of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

 Singlet Oxygen may trigger other Free Radical chain reactions - making Singlet Oxygen one of the most toxic types of Free Radical.

Skin

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may accelerate the progression of the Aging Process in the Skin (photoaging):  ^[2]

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may accelerate the formation of Wrinkles.  ^[3]

Nucleic Acids

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may damage (mitochondrial) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (mtDNA).  ^[4]

Enzymes

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals stimulate the activity of Collagenase.  ^[5]

Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals are not normally beneficial, however Hypericin can stabilize and utilize Singlet Oxygen for beneficial purposes.

Immune System

 It is speculated that Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals may inhibit or stifle some Viruses (after stabilization by Hypericin):