In this week’s podcast, we discuss deuterium which is commonly referred to as heavy water. Heavy water has the same chemical structure as normal water, H2O, however the hydrogens are of a different isotope.
Deuterium is a hydrogen isotope that contains both a proton and a neutron in the nucleus. This doubles the size and weight of the atom. A normal hydrogen atom is actually called protium.
If you had an ice cube made of entirely deuterium molecules, it would sink in normal water instead of float.
It is a naturally occurring isotope and makes up about 150 ppm or 0.015% of natural water.
High deuterium levels are linked to many chronic diseases: cancer, insomnia, depression, accelerated aging, ALS, diabetes, epilepsy, PCOS, and any other disease rooted in mitochondrial health.
When we have too much deuterium in our tissues, more of it gets used by our mitochondria during metabolism. This really large and heavy form of hydrogen wrecks our mitochondria because they are not designed for it.
Why are the levels higher?
Three primary reasons:
- There is more in the environment. Over the last 50,000 years a lot of ice all over the planet has melted. This ice released a lot of deuterium that was previously stored.
- Deuterium is in many pesticides, like glyphosate, because it helps things grow. Farmers use this to increase yields. This could be the reason why glyphosate causes cancer.
- Deuterium is highest in carbs like grains, sugars, and root vegetables. We’ve increased the amount of these types of foods in our diet by a lot.
What can you do to limit your deuterium exposure? Eat lots of animal based foods. Especially grass fed or pasture raised. Consume only organic fruits and vegetables. Follow a low carb/ketogenic diet. This limits the amount of deuterium you’re putting into your body. But the real magic is that you are creating deuterium depleted water inside your cells during fat metabolism.
To learn more about the harmful effects of heavy water and what you can do about it, listen to this week’s podcast.
