Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the most important element for our health.

Hydrogen is the smallest, lightest and most abundant element in the universe making up about 90% of the mass of the universe. The body starts life about 90% hydrated (with water) and typically ends at about 50% water.

Hydrogen is abundant in water (H2O, or di-hydrogen-oxide) making up 2/3 of its atoms, just as water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface at this time. Hydrogen is a natural and abundant fuel source for non-polluting technology, making Earth an attractive refueling station as well as a perfect oasis for life.

Hydrogen is essential for the organic chemistry of life, being found in in all organic compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Hydrogen ions (H+; H3O+ or Hydronium in an aqueous solution) are measured by pH (potential Hydrogen, a logarithmic scale where each scale unit represents a 10-fold change in concentration). Low pH (acid) means high Hydrogen ion concentration, while high pH (alkaline) means low Hydrogen ion concentration.

Life processes produce acids:

• carbonic acid formed by the end products of aerobic (oxygen-based) cellular metabolism: Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Water
• Lactic acid formed by anaerobic (oxygen-deficient, fermentation)

Modern life also produces acids:

Sugar and refined foods

The body is designed to buffer (balance) these acids by alkalizing with:

• Diet: fruits and vegetables, sprouts, buckwheat, millet
• Alkaline water, such as Microwater and Sango-Coral water
• Calcium, stored in the bones, and other alkaline minerals
• Ammonia in case of emergency needs, when alkaline minerals are deficient: this can be seen in saliva pH challenge test

The two acid-forming organs are the kidneys (forming acidic urine to eliminate acid wastes) and the stomach (forming hydrochloric acid, HCl, to kill parasites and begin digestion of proteins and fats). As we get older, there is a strong tendency to lose the capacity to acidify the stomach, which is also essential for absorption of most minerals.

One form of hydrogen we can all do without is hydrogenated oils, such as margarine, a synthetic oil invented to take the place of butter during the shortages of WWII. When faced with a serving of margarine when dining out or on an airplane, I like to edutain those around me by my parody of a commercial as I pretend to find it strangely enticing: "Honey, I can't believe it's not food."