Molecular Hydrogen, Free Radicals, Oxidation, and Inflammation

Untitled (700 x 400 px) copy 6

Hydrogen infused water has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and promote overall health.


So what does molecular hydrogen have to do with free radicals, oxidation, and inflammation?​

Molecular hydrogen helps the body in a variety of ways, but most scientists group them into these three categories:

*Molecular Hydrogen is a selective antioxidant

*Molecular Hydrogen boosts your immune system

*Molecular Hydrogen improves cellular functions


First, hydrogen is a “selective antioxidant”

Hydrogen only scavenges the destructive and toxic free radicals/oxidants. Hydrogen seems to target the same free radicals that have been correlated with inflammation, chronic disease, DNA damage, and fatigue. It neutralizes the damaging free radicals while avoiding the free radicals that are helpful to our body’s processes. Molecular hydrogen seems to only reduce excessive oxidation that correlates with the destruction and damage of our cells. Even more incredible than that, hydrogen can easily pass through any cell wall or membrane (including the blood brain barrier) to neutralize dangerous free radicals. Because it’s the smallest molecule in the universe, it can penetrate any cell wall and get inside any cell to deal with free radicals that larger antioxidants like vitamin C aren’t able to reach.​


Second, hydrogen boosts your immune system

Hydrogen activates the NRF2 pathway which, in simple terms, is the body’s natural defense network that fights free radicals. Without hydrogen, the body only activates this pathway when the body feels it is under attack – like when dealing with a toxin or an injury. Hydrogen naturally boosts the immune system and seems to prevent numerous diseases and conditions from gaining traction in the body.


Third, hydrogen improves cellular function

Hydrogen has been shown to help cells communicate with each other. It also down regulates the processes that lead to systemic inflammation. Hydrogen enhances mitochondrial function (how our cells produce energy) and protects cells from oxidative stress and degeneration. H2 has been found to increase the supply of mitochondria by activating a protein called PGC-1a which leads to an increase in cellular energy production.