Our bodies are made up of many molecular "species"—proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, DNA, RNA, enzymes, mitochondria, and many others. These molecules perform the work of life. Their atoms are chemically stable, with their electrons properly paired.

Alternatively, there is a second group of species that includes the reactive oxygen species (ROS), often called oxygen free radicals. Some of the major ones include:

• Superoxide (O₂•⁻)

• Peroxyl radicals (ROO•)

• Alkoxyl radicals (RO•)

• Hydroperoxyl radicals (HO₂•)

These molecules contain an unpaired electron, making them highly reactive. To regain stability, they react with the above-mentioned "species", stealing a single electron—most commonly found in a hydrogen atom, which carries just one single electron.

 

Most reactive oxygen species are not "bad." They perform important jobs in cell signaling, immune defense, and regulating inflammation. Without them, life would not function normally. One member of this family, however, is different: the hydroxyl radical (•OH). The hydroxyl radical is extremely reactive and "cytotoxic", meaning it damages, deforms, and destroys proteins, lipids, DNA, RNA, and other cellular components almost instantly. It reacts with the first suitable molecule it encounters pulling out a single electron,(a hydrogen atom), making it one of the primary contributors to oxidative damage - precursors to cancers, diabetes, arthritis, and coronary issues, just to mention a few.

This is where molecular hydrogen (H₂) becomes interesting.

Because hydrogen is the smallest molecule in nature, it diffuses rapidly throughout the body and into cells. Research shows that molecular hydrogen reacts with the hydroxyl radical, converting it into harmless water before they damage important cellular structures. Sort of like the body's sacrificial lamb.

Hydrogen therapy provides dissolved molecular hydrogen (H₂) that is available to react with these most destructive oxygen free radicals while leaving beneficial reactive oxygen species largely unaffected.

Here is some math and some reasoning: our bodies produce small amounts of hydrogen constantly to carry on these duties of cell-signaling, combating oxidative stress and inflammation. When we ingest hydrogenated water we multiply the amount of usable hydrogen by several folds. What the studies are showing is not hydrogen's effects on the body. That's grade 12 biology. What it's showing is that introducing elevated amounts of supplemental  hydrogen to the body  provides usable resources towards the duties designed for hydrogen. Net /net, drinking H2 regularly takes considerable stress off our body and allows it to use its resources in other areas. "This is amazing stuff."