Research
What Is Molecular Hydrogen (H2) and How Does It Work in My Body?
The Danger of Free Radicals
Free radicals are rogue molecules that have the ability to harass and even destroy other molecules in your cells by stealing electrons from innocent molecules, and cause instability in these molecules, then they become free radical themselves, disrupting other molecules in the vicinity. In this way, free radical can start a chain reaction in the body’s tissues, causing damage that can destroy the structure and function of cells in your tissues. This revolution of unmanaged free radicals in your tissues is known as oxidative stress.
Research has shown that if you allow these free radicals to get out of hand and cause oxidative stress, they will stimulate nociceptors and cause aches and pain. The presence of oxidative stress in myofascial tissues can easily generate an inflammatory response in muscles and joints. In chronic muscle and joint disorders, the presence of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in your tissues is inseparable. Therefore, to correctly deal with chronic muscle and joint problems, it is a requirement to learn how to manage the metabolic factor of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
By Greg Fors, in his book title, Why We Hurt: A Complete Physical & Spiritual Guide to Healing Your Chronic Pain.
Molecular Hydrogen a Potential “Novel” Antioxidant
Molecular Hydrogen has been scientifically proven to have antioxidant properties that help to remove free radicals from your body that cause premature aging. Dr. Shigeo Ohta and his team of researchers have proposed that molecular hydrogen has potential as “novel” antioxidant without adverse effect. Hydrogen has a number of advantages as a potential antioxidant: H2 rapidly diffuses into tissues and cells, and it is mild enough neither to disturb metabolic redox reactions nor reactive oxygen species (ROS) that function in cell signaling, thereby, there should be little adverse effect of consuming H2. Moreover, H2 shows not only effects against oxidative stress, but also various anti-inflammatory effects. H2 passes through the blood brain barrier, although most antioxidant compounds cannot.
How are plant based antioxidants found in foods similar to Molecular Hydrogen?
- They are both natural to the body.
- They are both neither artificial nor synthetic.
- They are both promoting wellness.
How is Molecular Hydrogen different to antioxidants in foods?
- Molecular Hydrogen only scavenges the bad free radical.
- Molecular Hydrogen leaves no waste product after neutralizing a free radical.
- Molecular Hydrogen also increases our body’s own antioxidant systems.
- Molecular Hydrogen also acts as a signalling molecule, thus having many other benefits.
- Molecular Hydrogen is the smallest molecule, which can easily enter the cells. ( Note: H2 only weight 2g/mole vs vitamin C at 176.2 g/mole)
- Molecular Hydrogen has no known toxic effects at high intakes.
Which gets rid of more free radicals: Vitamin C or Molecular Hydrogen?
Based on stoichiometry, one molecule of vitamin C can theoretically neutralize two free radicals, which is the same for Molecular Hydrogen. However, some of the used vitamin C molecules can be rejuvenated by the bodies and be used again, which is not the case with Molecular Hydrogen. On the other hand, Molecular Hydrogen can upregulate powerful antioxidant enzymes in the body, thus providing further protection, a function which vitamin C cannot do. Interestingly, vitamin C intake at high levels may actually prevent this upregulation from occurring.
