Vitamins, Minerals and Dietary Supplements
What is active hydrogen? Why do we need it?
Also known as silica hydride, active hydrogen is a colloidal mineral containing silicon, hydrogen and oxygen. It does not occur naturally in nature, but is a man-made product that contains a number of loosely bound electrons.
These electrons are purportedly useful in helping to neutralize the activities of free radicals, which cause damage at the cellular level.
Test-tube studies have shown that active hydrogen does bond with free radicals, neutralizes them, and helps keep cells health. However, questions remain about the ability of active hydrogen to be absorbed in the body and to help promote or restore health in humans. There is also anecdotal evidence that active hydrogen increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), but this evidence has yet to be firmly established.
How much active hydrogen should I take?
The precise amount of active hydrogen to be taken remains unknown. However, most active hydrogen supplements contain between 200 and 250 milligrams of the substance per capsule.
What forms of active hydrogen are available?
Active hydrogen is usually available in capsule form, with doses ranging between 200 and 250 milligrams per capsule. Active hydrogen can be found at most health food stores and some supermarkets.
What can happen if I take too much active hydrogen? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
As of this writing, toxicity levels for active hydrogen have yet to be established. In addition, due to a lack of published scientific research, side-effects associated with active hydrogen remain unknown at this time. As of this writing, there are no well-known drug interactions associated with active hydrogen. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking active hydrogen or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
- Flanagan GP, Purdy-Lloyd K. A silicate mineral supplement, Microhydrin, traps reduced hydrogen providing in vitro biological antioxidant properties. Proceedings of the National Hydrogen Association 1999;10:595-610.
- Phelps K. Biological terrain assessment of 14 subjects before and after testing with a supplement containing silicon bonded to reduced hydrogen ions. J Am Coll Nutr 1998;17:522.
- Stephanson CJ, Stephanson AM, Flanagan GP. Antioxidant capability and efficacy of Mega-H silica hydride, an antioxidant dietary supplement, by in vitro cellular analysis using photosensitization and fluorescence detection. J Med Food 2002;5:9-16.
- Stephanson CJ, Stephanson AM, Flanagan GP Evaluation of hydroxyl radical-scavenging abilities of silica hydride, an antioxidant compound, by a Fe2+-EDTA-induced 2-hydroxyterephthalate fluorometric analysis. J Med Food 2003;6(3):249-53.
- Stephanson CJ, Flanagan GP. Antioxidant capacity of silica hydride: a combinational photosensitization and fluorescence detection assay. Free Radic Biol Med November 1, 2003;35(9):1129-37.
