Molecular Hydrogen is the Antioxidant Changing the Game

1. Small size means greater bioavailability - Hydrogen is the smallest antioxidant in existence and exists as a gas in normal conditions. Thanks to its size and gaseous nature it can move freely throughout the body, into the cells, and near the mitochondria where free radicals are formed. H2 can even cross the blood brain barrier easily due to its low molecular weight. The blood brain barrier is a highly selective wall between the bloodstream and neurons in the brain that not many antioxidants are able to pass.

In comparison, larger antioxidants need to be absorbed through your digestive system and travel through your bloodstream to get to your cells.  Good antioxidants are usually larger molecules because smaller antioxidant molecules tend to be less stable, and may become a weak free radical themselves after neutralizing free radicals. 

2. Safe and leaves no byproducts - Some antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and carotenoids can act as antioxidants but also turn into pro-oxidants at higher dosages. This has counterproductive implications for your health. 

3. H2 neutralizes only harmful free radicals - Antioxidants that directly neutralize free radicals are usually stable enough to offer up their electron to any type of free radical. This includes cell signaling free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide.

Cells usually tolerate a little bit of oxidative stress and it can be beneficial in triggering cellular repair processes. The overuse of some antioxidant supplements may lead to “antioxidative stress.” When too many antioxidants are available in the cells, it can eliminate cell signaling free radicals and break the delicate balance of your antioxidant defense system. 

Your antioxidant defense system is designed to keep free radicals in balance. Just enough free radicals for useful purposes such as cell signaling and the immune response, but not enough to cause irreversible damage.

Research has shown that H2 is unique because it only neutralizes only the harmful free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals. There is no concern of overdosing with H2 because it doesn't disturb the redox balance inside the cells. 

4. H2 boosts your body’s antioxidant defense system- Molecular Hydrogen (H2) not only eliminates harmful free radicals directly, but also stimulates the production of antioxidant enzymes responsible for keeping the free radical and antioxidant balance. H2 does this by activating the Nrf2 pathway that’s responsible for signalling your cells to produce more of these antioxidant enzymes. In addition to these advantages as an antioxidant, H2 also has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-apoptotic benefits as a cell signaling molecule.