Hydrogen, Bicarbonate, Magnesium and ATP

The Nobel Prize was awarded to Dr. Peter Mitchell in 1978 for his theory of chemiosmosis. According to his model, Hydrogen is essential in the production of ATP in the mitochondria, the source of all energy in the cells, and therefore the body. This works through hydrogen dehydrogenase, a flavoprotein catalyzing the conversion of NAD+ to NADH by molecular hydrogen (H2); H2 + NAD+ → H+ + NADH.

Our body depends upon the energy gained from the food we eat. Food undergoes many processes and then finally ends in the release of ATP. Food is a primary source of hydrogen. If it is fresh and uncooked it provides an abundance of hydrogen. The hydrogen in food is tied up in complex molecules that must be metabolized (broken down) to release the hydrogen.

Hydrogen is one of the primordial elements that fueled the development of all life on Earth. Human beings cannot live without hydrogen. While science refers to us as carbon-based life forms, man is also a hydrogen-based life form. When plants absorb sunlight, they store negatively charged hydrogen ions through the process of photosynthesis. When you eat unprocessed plants, your body’s cells utilize the nutrients in those plants with the electrical charge of the hydrogen ions in those plants. When your body burns hydrogen and oxygen, it generates the energy you need for the process of life.

Water has both the fuel (hydrogen) and oxygen, which provides the fire of oxidation. The word hydrogen comes from the Greek, meaning “water-former.” Water is formed when hydrogen is burned (oxidized) by oxygen. It is created every day in our bodies as we burn hydrogen to create ATP. Hydrogen and oxygen participate in a continuous cycle that generates both water and energy.

Magnesium researchers have long maintained that magnesium’s roles (including calcium regulation) can only be fully utilized when the body is adequately hydrated. The importance of water (H2O-lots of H in water) in the body cannot be understated for adjusting pH balance, carrying toxic elements out of the body, and for full utilization of minerals in ATP energy production.

An open-label trial of drinking 1.0 liter of hydrogen infused water (molecular hydrogen) per day over 12 weeks was performed on fourteen patients, five having progressive muscular dystrophy, four having polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and five having mitochondrial myopathies. Drinking hydrogen water improved mitochondrial function in mitochondrial myopathies and reduced the inflammatory processes in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

To understand the concept and practice of increasing cellular lifespans, and thus health and vitality one must look deep into the cell’s mitochondria, the Krebs cycle, the electron transport system, and how hydrogen plays a crucial role in the creation of ATP.

Electron Transport Chain

Video Length: 17:15 min

Negative hydrogen ions are able to generate ATP in the mitochondria and trap free radicals effectively. The H- changes NAD+ in the mitochondria to NADH. The NADH is then processed in the electron transport system to product 3 ATP molecules. Normally the Krebs cycle produces NADH, but the H- makes it possible to bypass the Krebs cycle by recycling NAD+ to NADH to do this.

Damage to mitochondria is now understood to play a role in the pathogenesis of a wide range of seemingly unrelated disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, migraine headaches, strokes, neuropathic pain, Parkinson’s disease, ataxia, transient ischemic attack, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes, hepatitis C, and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Dr. Michael R. Eades says, “As the high-energy electrons are passed along down the inner mitochondrial membrane, they occasionally break free. When they break free, they become free radicals. These rogue free radicals can then attack other molecules and damage them. Because these free radicals are loosed within the mitochondria, the closest molecules for them to attack are the fats in the mitochondrial membranes. If enough of these fats are damaged, the membrane ceases to work properly. If enough of the membrane does not work, the entire mitochondrion is compromised and ceases functioning. If enough mitochondria bite the dust, the cell doesn’t work and undergoes apoptosis, a kind of cellular suicide. This chronic damage and loss of cells is the basic definition of aging.”

Hydrogen sulfide and mitochondrial function

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), at low concentrations, acts as an electron donor to the mitochondria, and serves as an inorganic substrate for mitochondrial electron transport. H2S donation can exert therapeutic effects. In other conditions, the idea that H2S can be used to induce an on-demand metabolic suppression (“hibernation”) has been proposed. In yet other conditions (e.g. inflammation, septic shock, burn injury and certain forms of cancer), H2S overproduction occurs and H2S biosynthesis inhibitors may be a therapeutic approach of the future. Hydrogen sulfide may play a wide-ranging role in staving off aging, according to a team of scientists from University of South China, however it is much easier and safer to use molecular hydrogen.

See more about Molecular Hydrogen – Hydrogen Medicine

Magnesium Bicarbonate – Medical Breakthrough

Increased oxidative stress, which correlates almost exponentially with pH changes into the acidic, is especially dangerous to the mitochondria, which suffer under oxidative duress. When our tissues become too acidic and lacking in magnesium necessary for ATP production cellular metabolism drops off and this can lead to obesity and diabetes.

“Mg2+ is critical for all of the energetics of the cells because it is absolutely required that Mg2+ be bound by ATP the central high energy compound of the body. ATP without Mg2+ bound cannot create the energy normally used by specific enzymes of the body to make protein, DNA, RNA, transport sodium or potassium or calcium in and out of cells.  ATP without enough Mg2+ is non-functional and leads to cell death,” writes Dr. Boyd Haley.

Magnesium bicarbonate is the Holy Grail of magnesium administration offering a straight line into the cells. Specifically it is the key to firing up one’s mitochondrial energy factories. One of my highest recommendations for ill people is to make and intake all their water with either hydrogenated and oxygenated water or with magnesium bicarbonate drinking water. Drink your way back to life. If one is going to fast on water do it with these types of water.

Magnesium bicarbonate is a complex hydrated salt that exists only in water under specific conditions. The magnesium ion is Mg2+, and the bicarbonate ion is HCO3-. So, magnesium bicarbonate must have two bicarbonate ions: Mg (HCO3)2.

Magnesium is the lamp of life and has long been recognized as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Magnesium is crucial for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism. Magnesium is required for DNA and RNA synthesis, reproduction, and protein synthesis.

Magnesium and bicarbonate together work to combat the drop-in energy within the mitochondria during constant bombardment from toxins. Magnesium bicarbonate neutralizes the acid produced as a result of metabolic processes and ATP hydrolysis. This allows more ATP to be hydrolyzed, or more energy to be made. Magnesium bicarbonate buffers the mitochondria in body cells from excess acid concentrations, which improves mitochondrial function and increases ATP.

 The ideal water is alkaline because it is rich in magnesium and bicarbonate. Alkaline water machines that produce high pH water cannot hold a torch to waters high in magnesium and bicarbonate. It was the work of Dr Russell Beckett, a veterinarian with a PhD in biochemical pathology that paved the way to understand the significance of bicarbonate acting in conjunction with magnesium. Unique Water from Australia and Noah’s Water in California, Donat Mg from Europe (natural spring waters), and a convenient magnesium bicarbonate concentrate made in Florida offer Magnesium and bicarbonate rich mineral waters are easily absorbed. Because the pH in your body is controlled by bicarbonates sodium Bicarbonate can rapidly alkalize your body far more effectively than diet, but it can’t be continued forever because of the excess sodium. That is why I recommend a product called pH Adjust because in addition to sodium bicarbonate it has potassium bicarbonate (reducing the sodium load and supplying essential potassium) as well as a dose of magnesium. Magnesium bicarbonate has no such problems and can be used long term.

Magnesium bicarbonate is one of the most convenient way to replenish our bodies with the necessary amount of Magnesium. Very high bio-availability, no Calcium present, and bicarbonate helps maintaining the blood pH. Magnesium bicarbonate is suited to help the body excrete excess of Calcium. The absolute best form of magnesium supplement is magnesium bicarbonate water, either in the form of natural spring waters or in water you make at home with the Magbicarb concentrate.

Bicarbonate

Research published recently in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that having balanced bicarbonate levels in your body reduces chances of an early death. The study examined data compiled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study for 2,287 participants.

Study author Dr. Kalani Raphael, associate professor and nephrology and hypertension specialist at the University of Utah, and colleagues investigated pH, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in association with long-term survival. According to the University of Utah, “Critically ill patients with severe acid-base abnormalities have a very low likelihood of surviving their illness.”

Dr. Raphael found that low levels of bicarbonate is linked to an increased risk for premature death by 24 percent. “What we found was that generally healthy older people with low levels of bicarbonate had a higher risk of death,” Raphael said.

Bicarbonate acts as a transporter of magnesium into the mitochondria. Magnesium does not readily reach the mitochondrion, but if plenty of bicarbonate is available the magnesium will flood in. Magnesium influx is linked with bicarbonate transport according to the Dietary Reference Intakes guide from the Institute of Medicine. Bicarbonate acts to stimulate the ATPase by acting directly on it.

The bicarbonate buffer system occurs in both intra- and extracellular fluids. It consists of carbonic acid (H2CO3) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). If a strong acid is present, it reacts with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbonic acid and sodium chloride, minimizing the increasing concentration of positive hydrogen ions. If a strong base is present, it reacts with carbonic acid, producing sodium bicarbonate and water, minimizing the alkaline shift. Bicarbonate ion concentrations decrease the formation of acid by carbonic anhydrase enzyme (Le Chatelier’s principle). In the presence of magnesium and bicarbonate ions, less acid is produced by carbonic anhydrase enzyme.

Magnesium bicarbonate neutralizes the acid produced as a result of metabolic processes and ATP hydrolysis. Magnesium bicarbonate buffers the mitochondria in body cells from excess acid concentrations which improves mitochondrial function and allows more ATP to be produced. When more ATP can be hydrolyzed, and more ATP can be produced, body cells have enough energy for optimum function.

Magnesium bicarbonate decreases the production of acid from carbon dioxide in body cells. Magnesium and bicarbonate would at the same time increase energy in several ways. First, magnesium bicarbonate protects the natural organic and inorganic phosphate buffers in the cytoplasm of cells. Second, magnesium bicarbonate neutralizes the acid produced as a result of metabolic processes and ATP hydrolysis. This allows more ATP to be hydrolyzed; that is, more energy can be utilized.

Pancreatic Health

The pancreas is harmed, as are all organs, if the body becomes too acidic. The pancreas is especially sensitive to acidic conditions. Without sufficient bicarbonates, the pancreas is slowly destroyed. When the pancreas loses the ability to produce enough bicarbonate essential for the pancreatic enzymes to function properly, undigested proteins penetrate the bloodstream inducing allergic reactions and inflammation.

Parhatsathid Napatalung from Thailand writes, “The pancreas is harmed if the body is metabolically acid as it tries to maintain bicarbonates. Without enough bicarbonates, the pancreas is slowly destroyed, insulin becomes a problem and hence diabetes becomes an issue. Without enough bicarbonate buffer, the effect of disease is far reaching as the body becomes acid.”

See more about Sodium and Potassium Bicarbonates Medicine

Cancer and Mitochondria Dysfunction

Cancer, impart, is a result of the functional degradation of a cellular photon absorption pathway that is basic to the production of ATP.  Dr. Heinrich Kremer, a German doctor known for his dissident work in the area of AIDS, points out that in cancer, there is a functional breakdown of a photon-mediated pathway for ATP synthesis in the mitochondria of our cells.

Dr. Kremer sees the origin of cancer differently than does mainstream medicine. He terms his new theory Cell Dyssymbiosis. According to Kremer cancerous cells do not originate from DNA mutations, but from a functional process that occurs in the mitochondria. ATP production, according to Kremer, is not based on chemical energy release, as taught in universities today, but rests on the absorption of photons of light.

Dr. Mark Sircus AC., OMD, DM (P)

References (1)

1. Med Gas Res. 2011 Oct 3;1(1):24. Open-label trial and randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of hydrogen-enriched water for mitochondrial and inflammatory myopathies.