Intercellular Alkalizing Effects of the Naked Electron from Heliopatch
Intercellular Alkalizing: Magnesium, commonly found in water, supplements, and foods, exists as free ions, primarily Mg2+, vital as a nutrient. Ranking as the fourth most abundant element in the body, it serves as a cofactor in over 300 enzymes, plays a role as a neuromodulator, and has various functions extensively reviewed elsewhere (Long & Romani, 2014) [1].
Accompanied by counter ions like oxide (O-2) or hydroxide (OH-), magnesium ions, when ingested, have alkalizing properties. For instance, Milk of Magnesia contains magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2). These counter ions neutralize acidity (H+) and raise pH, known as alkalization, deemed beneficial for athletes by countering acidity generated by muscles, reducing the burning sensation, and mitigating muscle and brain fatigue.
While magnesium is an ideal alkalinity source, its laxative effect makes it impractical for performance enhancement. Hence, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) is commonly used, despite their own problematic side effects.
Bicarbonate supplementation, while effective, shares drawbacks with other orally taken supplements. Chronic intake may lead to issues like intravascular volume expansion, causing imbalances in renin and aldosterone levels, disrupting water/salt balance. Gastrointestinal upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea are also common side effects (McNaughton, 1992) [2]. On a concerning note, oral bicarbonate administration has caused gastric rupture in reported cases, with a mortality rate as high as 65% due to excess CO2 gas release when combined with gastric acid (HCl) (Lazebnik N, 1986) [3].
Figure 1 - illustrates the reaction of potassium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, generating carbon dioxide gas that can rapidly build up pressure.
While stomach acid plays a crucial role in digestion, eliminating it can result in poor nutrient absorption, increased flatus, and altered metabolic activities in the gut bacteria. The body's complex pH regulation may lead to compensatory changes in the digestive system when bicarbonate solutions are discontinued, affecting athletes negatively. Additionally, these drinks often taste unpleasant, causing dissatisfaction among those who choose this lifestyle.
Gas in the digestive tract and poor food absorption are not performance-enhancing for athletes requiring a high caloric intake. Alkalinity can further hinder nutrient and supplement absorption, while alkaline blood may impact drug elimination rates. Adjusting an athlete's body pH through such a broad mechanism can yield undesirable and unpredictable outcomes.
Magnesium, when administered through routes other than ingestion, avoids a laxative effect. Intravenous magnesium sulfate is common for hypomagnesemia in chemotherapy, but insoluble alkalizing particles like magnesium hydroxide or oxide cannot be used this way. Hence, intravenous administration isn't suitable for these alkalizing forms.
A novel method for magnesium-derived alkalinity is topical application of magnesium metal. This process, while alkalizing, doesn't involve direct introduction of hydroxide or bicarbonate. Instead, magnesium metal placed on the skin corrodes, releasing electrochemical naked electrons that penetrate deeply into the body’s tissues, neutralizing free radicals. It's akin to creating a desired condition at a distance (a runner with a ball) rather than running with the football. Reactions with radicals occur, but they all result in an increase in pH.
Superoxide to Hydrogen Peroxide
The first reaction is the transformation of superoxide into hydrogen peroxide. Superoxide is the first radical to be formed in the sequence of ROS after diatomic oxygen (O2) has gained its first electron.
Likewise, superoxide can also be neutralized once it has been converted to hydrogen peroxide. The essential ingredients for this reaction are the superoxide radical, two molecules of acid (H+) and two electrons.
Figure 2 - displays half-cell reactions between superoxide and magnesium metal, forming hydrogen peroxide and magnesium ions.
The reaction of superoxide with the naked electron is less likely to occur at a distance compared to other reactions due to its voltage. Fortunately, cells contain enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) to aid in converting this radical into the more stable hydrogen peroxide. Catalase or the naked electron can then further convert hydrogen peroxide into a stable form.
Hydrogen Peroxide to Water
The reaction illustrated in figure 3 below illustrates the neutralization of hydrogen peroxide using two electrons and two molecules of acid (H+).
Figure 3- Half-cell reactions between hydrogen peroxide and magnesium metal to form water and magnesium ions.
This reaction in figure 3 consumes two molecules of acid (H+), which increases pH. This consumption of acid leads to an alkalizing effect in the body wherever hydrogen peroxide is produced within the voltage multiplied by the resistance. This determines the “range” of the applied magnesium.
Hydroxyl to Hydroxide
Another radical that could be neutralized by the naked electron is the hydroxyl radical, one of the most damaging radicals in the body, and one for which there is no enzymatic defense.
Figure 4- Half-cell reactions between hydroxyl radicals and magnesium metal to form hydroxide and magnesium ions.
In the mentioned reaction, neutralizing hydroxyl (OH•) radicals results in the product hydroxide (OH-). The high voltage (>4V) enables spontaneous reaction at a distance between magnesium and radicals inside the body. Hydroxide or its acid neutralization to produce water is fundamental for performance-enhancing alkalization.
Contrasting with chemical antioxidants requiring travel within the body to directly contact radicals, the naked electron's action is distinctive. Hydrogen gas (H2) stands out as one of the best-studied and most comparable to the naked electron's effect.
Hydroxyl plus Molecular Hydrogen (H2) to Make Water
H2 is also known as elemental hydrogen or hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing hydroxyl radicals (OH•) and producing water (H2O). Hydrogen is particularly useful as an antioxidant research tool because it penetrates all organs and neutralizes only hydroxyl radicals. It is difficult, however, to quantify the bioavailability of hydrogen because it can exit the body through the skin and the total absorbed by any route is difficult to measure.
Figure 5- Half-cell reactions between hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen gas to form water.
The product of the reactions is hydroxide (OH-) commonly known as base, and acid (H+), which unite to form water spontaneously in the acid-base reaction.
Figure 6- Acid base neutralization reaction to form water.
The reaction of hydroxyl radicals with hydrogen gas will form water. This reaction occurs only upon collision of H2 and OH• and always will only form water (H2O). There is no alkalizing effect from this reaction because hydrogen becomes acid and neutralizes the base made by the reduction of the hydroxyl radical to hydroxide.
Drinking hydrogen-rich water has been shown in numerous studies to decrease oxidative stress. In the following studies, the hydrogen enrichment is accomplished by placing magnesium metal in drinking water, and then drinking the resulting hydrogen-rich water. This water is also more alkaline due to the reactions of magnesium with the acid in the water to form hydrogen gas.
Figure 7- Half-cell reactions between protons (acid) and magnesium metal to form hydrogen gas and magnesium ions.
The Heliopatch Solution
At Heliopatch, we've innovated antioxidant supplementation with a direct electron donation using the naked electron. Unlike traditional methods that introduce antioxidants into the body, our system connects a robust electron source to the skin, transmitting electrons into the body to establish an electrochemical cell. These naked electrons flow through the body's electrically conductive paths to target areas where free radicals are produced, particularly attracted to potent radicals like hydroxyl radicals (OH•).
The elevated inherent voltage in this electrochemical reaction allows anodic and cathodic reactions to occur at considerable distances. Unlike traditional methods that rely on transporting antioxidants through the bloodstream to reach free radicals, our approach enables electrons to flow through tissues using electrically conductive routes independent of blood. When the free electron encounters the hydroxyl radical (OH•), it transforms it into the harmless hydroxide (OH-), increasing pH and delivering a performance-enhancing effect beyond radical neutralization.
Hydroxyl Radicals, Hydroxide and the Alkalizing Effect
Hydroxide, known for its positive performance effects, contributes to alkalization, a well-established enhancer in athletics. When electrons attack a hydroxyl radical, pH increases, countering acidic outputs from metabolic processes during exercise. Recent studies (Mueller SM, 2013) [4] and historical observations (Jones NL, 1977) [5] show significant performance enhancements with sodium bicarbonate supplementation.
In medical conditions causing acidosis, body alkalization proves beneficial. Potassium bicarbonate supplementation in postmenopausal women neutralized daily acid loads, significantly increasing Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) levels (Ceglia L, 2009) [7]. IGF-1 plays a documented role in anabolic muscle mass increase (Velloso, 2008) [8].
While alkalizing blood has significant athletic benefits, oral supplementation poses risks. Heliopatch provides electrochemical alkalinity, avoiding oral ingestion and the associated problems, such as CO2 production, while effectively transforming harmful radicals into beneficial hydroxide at a distance from magnesium.
Electrochemical Experiments with Alkalization
At Heliopatch, we've conducted experiments verifying pH increase at a distance from magnesium metal corrosion. Our controlled conditions utilized salt bridges filled with gel and potassium chloride to prevent direct pH changes in target solutions representing the body's chemistry. These bridges ensure electrons are the sole pH modifier. Each target solution, with pH indicating dye and electronic pH probe, detects pH changes.
Various conditions were tested to highlight magnesium's alkalizing nature:
Purified water with pH indicator dye and an electrode donating electrons.
Purified water with pH indicator dye, a drop of hydrogen peroxide, and an electrode donating electrons.
Purified water with pH indicator dye, a drop of hydrogen peroxide, and iron sulfate, with an electrode donating electrons.
Purified water with pH indicator dye and iron sulfate.
Upon adding hydrogen peroxide to the iron sulfate solution in the third scenario, pH dropped dramatically, indicating iron's catalytic action. Once balance was achieved between iron (II) and iron (III), active electrodes within the Fenton's reagent solution showed a steady pH increase. Equations in figure 8 illustrate reactions between iron and hydrogen peroxide, revealing a neutral pH due to equal production of acid and base in these reactions.
Figure 8 - shows Fenton's Reagent reactions with hydrogen peroxide generating hydroxyl radicals and superoxide.
In a solution with an electrode donating free electrons (as in figure 4), hydroxyl radicals convert to hydroxide (OH-), raising pH. Similar reactions occur in the body, where free iron interacts with hydrogen peroxide produced by superoxide dismutase, forming hydroxyl radicals and superoxide. With a nearby source of free electrons, like the magnesium in Heliopatch, hydroxyl is reduced to hydroxide, increasing body pH and countering extreme physical exertion effects.
This groundbreaking antioxidant, the naked electron, offers an unparalleled alkalinity source penetrating deep into hardworking tissues independently of blood flow. It revolutionizes athletic performance and recovery akin to the impact of air transport on logistics.
Works Cited
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Boyle SP, D. V. (2000). Absorption and DNA protective effects of flavonoid glycosides from an onion meal. Eur J Nutr., Oct;39(5):213-23. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11131368?dopt=Abstract
Ceglia L, S. S.-H. (2009). Potassium Bicarbonate Attenuates the Urinary Nitrogen Excretion That Accompanies an Increase in Dietary Protein and May Promote Calcium Absorption. J Clin Endocrinol Metab., Feb; 94(2): 645–653. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730228/
Davis JM, M. E. (2009). Quercetin increases brain and muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and exercise tolerance. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol., Apr;296(4):R1071-7. Retrieved from http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/296/4/R1071.long
Gill, A. M. (2015, July 8). Equi-force. (Equi-Force Equine Products, LLC) Retrieved from http://www.equiforce.com/bicarbonate-loading-in-horses.aspx
Ji XD, M. N. (1996). Interactions of flavonoids and other phytochemicals with adenosine receptors. J Med Chem., Feb 2;39(3):781-8. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8576921
Jones NL, S. J. (1977). Effect of pH on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol., Dec;43(6):959-64. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24031
Kang K, Y.-N. K.-B. (2011). Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors. Med Gas Res., June 7 1: 11. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231938/
Lazebnik N, I. A. (1986). Spontaneous rupture of the normal stomach after sodium bicarbonate ingestion. J Clin Gastroenterol., Aug;8(4):454-6. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3020119
Long, S., & Romani, A. (2014). Role of Cellular Magnesium in Human Diseases. Austin J Nutr Food Sci., 2(10): 1051. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4379450/
MacRae HS, M. K. (2006). Dietary antioxidant supplementation combined with quercetin improves cycling time trial performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, Aug;16(4):405-19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17136942
McNaughton, L. R. (1992). Bicarbonate ingestion: effects of dosage on 60 s cycle ergometry. J Sports Sci., Oct;10(5):415-23. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1331493
Moshfegh A, G. J. (2009). What We Eat in America, NHANES 2005-2006: Usual Nutrient Intakes from Food and Water Compared to 1997 Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Beltsville Maryland: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
Mueller SM, G. S. (2013). Multiday acute sodium bicarbonate intake improves endurance capacity and reduces acidosis in men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr., Mar 26;10(1). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3623762/
supplements, N. I. (2013, November 4). Magnesium- Health Professinal Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Magnesium Fact Sheet For Health Professionals: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/Velloso, C. P. (2008). Regulation of muscle mass by growth hormone and IGF-I. Br J Pharmacol., Jun; 154(3): 557–568. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2439518/
Footnotes
[1]http://austinpublishinggroup.com/nutrition-food-sciences/fulltext/ajnfs-v2-id1051.php
[2]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1331493
[3]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3020119
[4]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3623762/
[5]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24031
[6]http://www.equiforce.com/bicarbonate-loading-in-horses.aspx
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