What about the other side? What can we do to help our body's immune system so we can prevent future viruses from impacting our lives? In past newsletters, we've discussed the benefits of Electrolyzed Water (2.5 pH or Hypochlorous Acid), including how it kills 99.9% of bacteria and microbes, and how it is eco-friendly. Feel safe and sustainable picking up 2.5 pH, it's a natural disinfectant and won't add chemicals to our environment. But what about the other side of the infection? The side where we don’t just avoid exposure by disinfecting but improve our immune system from the inside. (1)
Our immune system is naturally designed to protect the body from the invasion and growth of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and/or cancer cells. In order to fend off future infections and chronic diseases a strengthened immune system can fend off infection and internally developed diseases, resulting in fewer and less severe symptoms (2). We have options when it comes to supporting our immune system and many of these choices can lead to preventing disease and maintaining overall wellbeing.
While diet is frequently discussed as an important factor in improving our immune system, why isn't there more conversation around water?
In most health & wellness books we read these days, there is often only a single sentence or phrase dedicated to water. (3) “Drink half your weight in ounces per day” or “drink your 8-10 glasses per day” or in the case below from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, drink "X" amount of water every day based on your weight in cups/liters. We are learning optimal hydration is personalized based on numerous factors, including weight, exercise, diet, and medication use. We believe drinking quality therapeutic water, which is void of contaminants, rich with naturally-occurring minerals is not only hydrating but provides us an immunity boost!
Yes, we said immune-boosting water! For a fraction of the cost for all those single Vitamin C or Glutathione nutritional injections. ($50-$200) Hydrogen-rich, alkaline water offered at the shop is made through electrolysis and produces molecular hydrogen, H2 for short. H2 neutralizes free radicals (ROS) so it's considered an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, anti-obesity, and anti-ager! See a list of all the different ways H2 can protect our body's defense systems below. (4,5)
So, please continue to fill-up your immune-boosting water during this global health crisis. Also, forward this email to any of your friends interested in joining our membership and have them check out the recent segment on Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act.
1. Hydrogen acts as an antioxidant
Hydrogen gas acts as a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to protect cells from even the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. Specifically, inhalation of H2 gas has been shown to suppress brain injuries through these effects.
2. Hydrogen supports your body’s antioxidant system
H2 supports your body’s natural antioxidant system by signaling pathways associated with the prevention of disease.
3. Hydrogen is anti-inflammatory
In animal studies, hydrogen gas has been shown to be extremely anti-inflammatory. While we could use more studies on humans to back these initial findings, research on patients with rheumatoid arthritis are extremely promising.
4. Hydrogen may help reduce pain
As mentioned above, the effects of hydrogen on patients with rheumatoid arthritis have shown a significant decrease in pain. This pain relief is due to the reduction in oxidative stress caused by the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of hydrogen gas.
5. Hydrogen protects your muscles
In an animal study, hydrogen water prevented muscle wasting in mice that had muscular dystrophy. Hydrogen also boosted the natural production of glutathione which is often called our master antioxidant. The effects of hydrogen on athletes and exercise is a promising area worth keeping your eye on.
6. Hydrogen can speed up sport-related recovery
Hydrogen water has been shown to reduce muscle fatigue in elite athletes after intense exercise. This is because it reduced lactic acid buildup, which improved muscle function.
7. Hydrogen can help balance the pH of the blood
Hydrogen water has also been shown to have an alkalizing effect in the blood. This is especially beneficial to people who are extremely physically active because extreme exercise can cause metabolic acidosis.
8. Hydrogen affects cell modulation
Hydrogen appears to have effects in the cells that help them maintain homeostasis and healthy modulation. Through healthy gene expression and cellular metabolism, hydrogen positively affects cellular processes on many different levels.
9. Hydrogen is neuroprotective
Hydrogen has been shown to reduce damage to the brain in Parkinson’s patients. It’s also shown to have generally neuroprotective properties due to its ability to fight oxidative stress.
10. Hydrogen is protective against metabolic conditions
Studies have found that hydrogen increases insulin sensitivity, decreases blood sugar, and blood cholesterol levels. These effects make hydrogen up potential therapy for fighting obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
11. Hydrogen boosts your mitochondria
Your mitochondria are the powerhouse of your cells, which makes them directly responsible for your energy levels day to day. Clinical studies on hydrogen-rich water have found that it improves mitochondrial function.
12. Hydrogen protects against DNA damage
Hydrogen gas has been shown to significantly protect DNA against radiation damage. It does so by scavenging hydroxyl radical formation.
13. Hydrogen can calm allergic reactions
With allergies on the rise across the world, this is an interesting observation. Studies have found that in animals, hydrogen can sometimes calm allergic reactions. The way hydrogen appears to calm allergic reactions is by modulating cell processes and restoring homeostasis. It seems that hydrogen restores healthy processes throughout the body, which makes it a good idea for just about everyone to consider taking.
14. Hydrogen is protective against cancer
Hydrogen appears to be protective against cancer. At this point, it probably doesn’t surprise you since you know how hydrogen can protect against oxidative stress and damage to the DNA. Hydrogen has also been observed to help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in some patients.
15. Hydrogen protects organs
Hydrogen has been observed to be protective against damage to numerous organs including the brain, pancreas, heart, liver, eyes, and lungs. This is believed to be because of hydrogen’s anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and oxidative stress-fighting effects.
WE ADD THIS TO OUR DIET TOO . . .
According to a study found on PubMed, curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses. This suggests that curcumin's reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system.
The turmeric in Ukon is grown in Okinawa, Japan and includes otherall-natural antioxidants.