Shoppers often think of hydrogen in the context of Earth’s atmospheric gases or the water we drink. But, there’s an extremely important aspect of hydrogen that all shoppers should know about: it’s an antioxidant like no other and it supports numerous aspects of one’s health when consumed in supplement form.
Understanding AntioxidantsFree radicals are unstable atoms formed as a result of normal bodily functions or from environmental factors like sunlight and air pollution. These molecules have one or more unpaired electron, making them highly reactive. Free radicals often harm other healthy cells in an effort to steal electrons to stabilize themselves, creating a dangerous domino effect in the process. After losing an electron to a free radical, once-healthy cells become unstable, also seeking to acquire electrons from other healthy cells. The process goes on and on.
To prevent cellular damage, antioxidants serve the important function of neutralizing these unstable
molecules by donating one of their electrons to a free radical. But again, this can create another unstable molecule in need of an electron or even dangerous pro-oxidants.The situation is not hopeless, however. Hydrogen can act as a unique antioxidant against hydroxyl (–OH) radicals, one of the most oxidizing free radical species. Hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl –OH to form H2O, the only byproduct is water, ending the chain of unstable molecules.
The Hydrogen You May Not KnowHydrogen makes for an important antioxidant agent for several key reasons. First, it selectivity neutralizes only cell-damaging molecules (like –OH) without interfering with signaling oxidants like hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, superoxide and other beneficial molecules that the body needs for cellular health and signal processing. This work—neutralizing harmful free radicals—is especially noteworthy because hydrogen can easily reach deep inside cells to the mitochondria whereas other conventional antioxidants cannot. It is there where many free radicals are created. Hydrogen also reaches this area very quickly, diffusing faster than any other antioxidant.
Moreover, hydrogen is extremely small—the smallest and lightest molecule on the planet. To put this into perspective, hydrogen weighs 88 times less than vitamin C and more than 431 times less than CoQ10. This accounts for hydrogen’s excellent bioavailability in the body and its ability to cross cellular membranes.
Hydrogen also plays a special role in cell signaling pathways (notably those involved in gene expression), second messenger systems and signal transduction pathways. Some researchers believe that hydrogen’s therapeutic effects are controlled through non-radical scavenging mechanisms, differentiating it further from your run-of-the-mill antioxidants.
In 2007, groundbreaking research was published in Nature Medicine by I. Ohsawa and colleagues suggesting that hydrogen has incredible potential as an antioxidant in preventive and therapeutic applications. The group stated, “Thus H(2) can be used as an effective antioxidant therapy; owing to its ability to rapidly diffuse across membranes, it can reach and react with cytotoxic ROS and thus protect against oxidative damage” (1).
This research laid the groundwork for the publication of over 500 peer-reviewed articles investigating hydrogen’s effects on the body, including in those with arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, exercise-induced fatigue, neurological disorders and more. The MolecularHydrogenFoundation.org has detailed information about this comprehensive pool of hydrogen research available to retailers and consumers.
Despite the newness of this research, hydrogen has been safely used in humans since the 1940s for a variety of reasons, including in deep-sea diving for preventing decompression sickness. A large body of research suggests that hydrogen gas can be safely used in humans and animals, and does not cause any chronic toxic effects. It should be noted that certain individuals have reported minor negative health effects, like more frequent bowel movements. Since hydrogen is known to lower blood sugar levels, diabetics should take precautions when using it and first seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner.
Specific Health BenefitsFor all these reasons, hydrogen can be safely said to support several aspects of health, including maintaining healthy energy levels, maintaining mental focus, supporting muscle recovery after exercise and more.
One of the newest ways to consume Molecular Hydrogen is in supplement form, which is said to be as effective a delivery method as inhaling hydrogen as a gas. This format—like that found inCoral CellEnergy H2—is highly bioavailable and can penetrate deep into cells to reach the mitochondria.
Coral CellEnergy H2capsules combine high-dose active Molecular Hydrogen plus 74 bioavailable coral minerals. Key benefits include:
• Converting harmful free radicals to water (2).* • Supporting the body’s antioxidant system, including SOD and glutathione (3).* • Supporting cellular metabolism, cell signaling and gene expression for anti-aging support (4–6).*
After consuming Molecular Hydrogen, many individuals report more energy, better focus, improved physical performance, faster muscle recovery after exercise and overall health and wellness.*
For more information aboutCoral CellEnergy H2, visit www.coralcalcium.com. Visit Coral LLC at Booth 1300 during Natural Products Expo West 2016.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Published in WholeFoods Magazine March 2016
References1. I. Ohsawa et al., “Hydrogen Acts as a Therapeutic Antioxidant by Selectively Reducing Cytotoxic Oxygen Radicals,” Nat. Med. 13 (6), 688–694 (2007). 2. M. Dole, F.R. Wilson and W.P. Fife, “Hyperbaric Hydrogen Therapy: A Possible Treatment For Cancer,” Science 190 (4210), 152–154 (1975). 3. T. Kawamura, et al., “Hydrogen Gas Reduces Hyperoxic Lung Injury via the Nrf2 Pathway In Vivo,” Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol 304 (10), L646–656 (2013). 4. N. Kamimura, et al., “Molecular Hydrogen Improves Obesity and Diabetes by Inducing Hepatic FGF21 and Stimulating Energy Metabolism in db/db Mice,” Obesity 19 (7), 1396–1403 (2011). 5. T. Itoh, et al., “Molecular Hydrogen Suppresses FcepsilonRI-Mediated Signal Transduction and Prevents Degranulation Of Mast Cells,” Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 389 (4), 651–656 (2009). 6. Y. Nakai, et al., “Hepatic Oxidoreduction-Related Genes Are Upregulated By Administration Of Hydrogen-Saturated Drinking Water,” Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 75 (4), 774–776 (2011).
