Since 2007, research into the effects Molecular Hydrogen has on Oxidative Stress has exponentially increased. This is because scientists and researchers have identified the significant benefits that hydrogen may have on the general health of all living things as well as fighting disease. This is the leading edge of a new understanding in biology and there is still much to learn, however, a common theme has emerged, and that is that the supplementation of Molecular Hydrogen into the biological system, has a beneficial effect on the entire system. Its effects are so diverse because it is a fundamental element and crucial in enabling the process of energy production, the cleaning up of the radicals created during that process, and ultimately life itself as a healthy complete organism.
Approximately 62% of all the atoms in most animal species are Hydrogen atoms with another 24% Oxygen and 12% Carbon. That’s a total of 98% of all the atoms that make the entire body, and obviously a pretty important fact that needs to be considered when assessing any health equation.
The oxygen needed is easily accessed through the air however, hydrogen is not so easily accessed and generally needs to be produced by the organism itself (which can be a challenge at the best of times). The system needs to be able to provide an adequate volume of hydrogen, and it’s life giving electrons, to keep the oxidative/reductive balance in check. As a body ages, its ability to produce and harvest enough hydrogen or anti-oxidants to control the effects of Oxidative Stress diminishes which may result in the onset of degenerative diseases and ailments.
Hydrogen is the lightest and simplest element with the symbol H. It consists of only one electron and one proton and under normal conditions, it exists primarily in its diatomic form as molecular hydrogen (H2 gas). In other words, two hydrogen atoms (H) are covalently bonded (a type of chemical bond) together as H-H. As there are two hydrogen atoms, we call this diatomic hydrogen, or molecular hydrogen. The hydrogen molecule contains two protons and two electrons making it a neutrally-charged molecule. It is this form of hydrogen that is able to donate an electron to the highly reactive oxygen species without becoming reactive itself, neutralizing the toxic free radical, therefore enabling it to exert the wide range of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-apoptotic (or anti cell death) effects that scientists and biologists are now referring to as proven.
Hydrogen is the smallest molecule in the universe and this extremely small size and its high lipid solubility, allows it to easily diffuse into the subcellular compartments of the mitochondria (the engine room of a biological system’s cells) and other locations throughout the entire body. This means that it is able to scavenge oxygen radicals throughout the body which are toxic to cells and therefore protect the DNA & RNA (essential in coding, decoding and regulation of genes) and proteins from oxidative stress; a key factor in the initiation and advancement of disease.
Molecular hydrogen is most commonly delivered via two methods: enriched water and gas. Hydrogen-enriched water can contain trillions upon trillions of hydrogen molecules at any given time. Due to their structure, hydrogen molecules are highly effective at scavenging or pairing up with other molecules in a biological system that needs to be neutralised. This makes hydrogen one of the safest, most effective free radical-targeting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant tools known to science. Hydrogen supplimentation can also be applied directly to the skin via baths and has been shown to have significant effect in the healing of wounds, burns, infections, skin conditions and wrinkle reduction. It can increase circulation, reduce inflammation, soothe pain, help repair soft tissue injuries and improve recovery as may be experienced in elite and high intensity sports.
Molecular Hydrogen Supplementation is simply providing the living organism access to the very atoms that allow it to exist in the first place. Hydrogen has been referred to as the key to all living things and in its atomic form, it is the most pure, natural supplement known to science. It has been shown to selectively scavenge and neutralize the highly reactive and toxic radicals in the system while allowing the positive roles of ROS to continue unhindered. There are now well over 700 studies and research papers on the subject with more recent publications referring to its proven ability to ameliorate the effects of Oxidative Stress and inflammation in aerobic biological systems. These discoveries have massive implications across a huge range of industries, environments and societies including Disease Management, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Breeding Sciences, Food Preparation and soft tissue repair to name but a few.
At the bottom of this page is a collection of links that will allow you a far better understanding of the term, what it is, and how it effects every body, which includes animals, fish and plants. We intend to significantly increase the amount of Molecular Hydrogen studies on this website and try to categorize them as best we can to make it as easy as possible for you to find them.
Primarily it appears that the core science is consistent and proven, and that is if we are able to neutralize the Hydroxyl Radicals and the Superoxide Radicals along with the reduction of inflammation throughout a biological system, significant positive change is possible, and the overall health of the entire system has a far greater chance of improving. The key is to be able to keep up and maintain the necessary balance in the first place. Science knows the primary sources of a great deal of issues a biological system faces, and that it needs to address these primary sources and functions as a fundamental step in maintaining a healthy system for all living things. Modern scientific methods and technologies suggest that the answers we seek have been found, but so much of it still comes back to managing OXIDATIVE STRESS & INFLAMMATION.