The Antioxidant that is blowing up the internet!

Ever wonder why you are always told to load up on antioxidants? Well, it's because of something called oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress, though it might sound like a complex term, is essentially an imbalance that occurs within our bodies. At the heart of this imbalance are free radicals, which are molecules with unpaired electrons. They are highly reactive and can cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA if left unchecked. With over  accumulation of free radicals  in the body, this can lead to a range of health issues over time, including inflammation, accelerated aging, and various diseases.

We also have to note that there are good free radicals too, such as nitric oxide. These are important for immunity and other functions. It’s the toxic free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals that we want to eliminate from the body.

 

So, where do these free radicals come from? Well, they can be produced as a natural byproduct of metabolism, but they also come from external sources like pollution, cigarette smoke, EMF (electromagnetic fields), etc which creates even more of an imbalance.

What does oxidative stress do on the body?
We mentioned above that oxidative stress created cellular damage, which can go unnoticed for a long time until the imbalance and damage expresses itself in the physical form.
Here are a few examples of conditions linked to oxidative stress:

•  Heart disease
•  Parkinson's disease
•  Alzheimer's disease
•  heart conditions
•  progressed aging of the body

 

How do antioxidants help? These are compounds that neutralize free radicals by donating an electron, essentially putting out the fire of oxidative stress. Antioxidants are found in a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and can also be taken in supplement form.

When there's a healthy balance between antioxidants and free radicals, our bodies can function optimally. 

 

What foods are considered antioxidants:
Many of the foods we eat are great natural sources of antioxidants. However with food manufacturing and processed foods becoming ever so dominant in our food system, finding unprocessed - organic - non GMO - high nutrient dense foods that have not been tampered with is becoming a search on its own.

With that said many fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and many juices (no sugar added), even moderate coffee intake (minus the milk) are great sources of antioxidants.

One antioxidant that is creating a wave of interest and popularity is Molecular Hydrogen which you can consume via Hydrogen rich water or via inhalation.

Hydrogen as an Antioxidant, let’s take a look:
Hydrogen water is growing in popularity, due to the biohacking community, technology advancements, new research on the health benefits of molecular hydrogen, and empowered health advocates such as Tyler LeBaron (MHI), Tywon Hubbard (H2Hubb), Amanda Bobbett (Healthy Hydration) Dr. Paul Barattiero, Gary Brecka (10xHealth).

Drinking hydrogen water is essentially consuming the equivalent of antioxidants as handfuls of fruits and veggies.

Not all antioxidants can penetrate the cell wall or the blood-brain barrier. Hydrogen can, which puts it in the category of a super antioxidant.  

 

What set's hydrogen a part?:  Its selectivity in scavenging harmful free radicals is a superpower on its own. It targets and neutralizes the most damaging free radicals, such as the hydroxyl radical, while leaving beneficial reactive oxygen species (ROS) untouched. This selectivity ensures that important physiological functions, like immune response and signaling, are not disrupted. 

 

Let’s break down quickly hydrogen’s bioavailability:

• High Diffusivity: Due to its small size and low molecular weight, molecular hydrogen has high diffusivity. This means it can quickly and easily move through tissues, subcellular compartments, and the blood-brain barrier, reaching target areas efficiently.
  
  
• Enhanced Bioavailability: Can be ingested as hydrogen-rich water or inhaled as hydrogen gas, and can rapidly distribute throughout the body and into cells where it exerts its therapeutic effects.
  
  
• Safely profile: Not all antioxidants are created equal, some are more bioavailable than others and some can cross the blood brain barrier. Molecular hydrogen is also ranked highly effective because its by-product is water (H2O).  Leaving only pure water in the body to be used within the cell or flushed out of the system.

Although much of the work done by antioxidants will go unnoticed it’s clear that if  we don’t consume antioxidants and let free radicals accumulate in the body we put our body at unnecessary risk for many health conditions, illnesses, and diseases.

The bright side is that eating a well-balanced diet, full of whole foods that supply you with various antioxidants will have you living and looking younger.

A way to increase your antioxidant consumption and hydrate your body is to drink hydrogen-rich water. Consider the Vitalyk HydroV™ water bottle and with every sip support your overall health and wellbeing!

 

Check out our blog Hydrogen Bottle Check List to learn more about the bottles and what to look for when choosing a bottle that’s right for you. Read more here.

Watch an interview on hydrogen water with Gary Brecka and  Dr. Paul Barattiero on our blog "What the experts are saying" click here.