Thread by @AgeofAcuario

I Present to you...

DEUTERIUM MEGA THREAD🧵⬇️:

What is it?
How it negatively affects your biology
How to deplete it

Lets recap on my most recent post in far greater profundity:

What is Deuterium?

Deuterium represents a stable variation of hydrogen, diverging from regular hydrogen (referred to as protium) by the addition of an extra neutron, which effectively doubles its atomic mass. Consequently, deuterium is often termed "heavy hydrogen”. It is theorized that a plausible source for a significant portion of deuterium present in the universe could be from the Big Bang. Given its identity as a hydrogen isotope, deuterium can seamlessly participate in any chemical or physical reactions where a hydrogen atom is involved. This implies that deuterium is prevalent in various facets of life, including the environment your body, the foods you consume, and the water you drink.

When deuterium replaces protium in a water molecule (H2O), the result is the formation of deuterium oxide, often referred to as "heavy water". It's important to emphasize a central point we'll revisit several times: heavy water exhibits distinctive physical characteristics compared to regular water. This includes a higher melting point (3.82 °C), an elevated boiling point (101.4 °C) and a slower rate of evaporation when compared to "light" water (devoid of deuterium). As a result of these unique properties, deuterium levels vary contingent on geographical location. To comprehend this, we shall briefly delve into how the water cycle influences the dispersion of deuterium.

Upon Earth's surface, the ratio of deuterium atoms to hydrogen atoms in ocean water averages approximately 1 to 6420. Therefore the concentration of deuterium in the majority of our planet's water is about 150-160 parts per million (ppm) or 0.000156%. However, regions at higher elevations and farther from the equator experience a decrease in the concentration of heavy water due to the water cycle causing fluctuations in deuterium levels. In general deuterium levels tend to be lower in areas more distant from the ocean or those with colder climates. These distinctions are primarily attributable to the differing melting points and rates of evaporation between heavy water and conventional water. Hence, the deuterium content in the water and foods you consume can also vary based on their geographical origin.

Deuterium & Biology

As recently as 11,700 years ago, the Earth may have had deuterium levels that were more than 30% lower than what we observe today. This phenomenon can be attributed to the termination of the most recent ice age, which brought about colder temperatures and increased ice and snow accumulation. Ice core evidence indicates that deuterium is removed from water during ice ages, implying that water and food likely had significantly lower deuterium concentrations during extended periods of our ancestors evolution. Modern highly processed foods, including those with grains, sugar, corn, or refined seed oils tend to have elevated deuterium content. This increase in deuterium levels has been associated with higher rates of obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, which aligns with the prevalence of these health issues in contemporary society. The "deuterium hypothesis" finds evidence suggesting that diets low in deuterium, such as the paleo and ketogenic diets, possess anti-inflammatory properties and may offer benefits to individuals dealing with cancer, epilepsy, and type 2 diabetes.

Deuterium can take the place of hydrogen in various molecules and reactions, participating in the synthesis of hormones, fats, enzymes, and cells. The distinct properties of heavy water and deuterium can introduce complications when deuterium is used instead of regular hydrogen. Heavy water exhibits higher boiling and melting points and has 25% greater viscosity compared to regular water. It also has a five-fold lower ionization constant, resulting in slower electron donation and acceptance than normal water. These factors contribute to the destabilization of phospholipids, crucial components of cell membranes, and may similarly disrupt the behavior of other deuterated hormones and lipids (fats). Elevated deuterium concentrations could potentially impede the normal functioning of biological molecules.

The most significant disparity between hydrogen and deuterium arises from the kinetic isotope effect. Simply, deuterium causes a deceleration of chemical reactions when it replaces hydrogen. Due to its double atomic mass compared to hydrogen, a reaction involving deuterium is typically seven to ten times slower than the same reaction with hydrogen. This kinetic isotope effect holds significance for numerous biological processes, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and cytochrome P450 enzymatic reactions. Essentially deuterium has the potential to disrupt the normal functioning of the body by slowing down these chemical reactions. Mathematical models suggest that the kinetic isotope effect can lead to systemic metabolic changes, meaning that slowing down one reaction can trigger a ripple effect throughout the body, resulting in significant disruptions. Studies indicate that deuterium can drastically slow down reaction speeds, ranging from 30 to 800-fold, by impeding a process known as quantum tunneling.

What is Deuterium Depletion?

Deuterium depletion encompasses any approach aimed at reducing deuterium levels. In the realm of the natural world- humans, animals, plants, or other living entities, deuterium depletion is an intrinsic process that predominantly occurs during youth and in the presence of robust health. In contrast to the 150-160 parts per million (ppm) concentrations typically observed in ocean water, many organisms retain significantly lower levels as low as 100 ppm within their tissues through the process of depleting deuterium. Intrinsic mechanisms operating within healthy cells particularly within the mitochondria as well as within the gut flora, contribute to the autonomous elimination of deuterium.

You can mitigate excess deuterium through ordinary bodily functions, such as respiration, perspiration, urination, and elimination of solid waste. Living organisms display responsiveness to shifts in deuterium levels. For instance, E. coli bacteria exhibit accelerated growth in mildly deuterium-enriched conditions. Certain tissues in your body strategically employ deuterium to mitigate cellular damage. Some researchers even speculate that the evolution of early life on Earth might owe its existence, in part, to the beneficial effects of deuterium. However, it's worth noting that excessive deuterium levels can exert toxicity upon living organisms. Research on cells and plants reveal that deuterium depletion can decelerate cellular growth, while deuterium enrichment can expedite the proliferation of rapidly growing cells.

Deuterium undoubtedly contributes to development and the normal growth of cells BUT excessive accumulation of deuterium can foster the growth of cancer cells and cause harm to cellular structures. Life has evolved mechanisms to harness deuterium's benefits while simultaneously inhibiting it when necessary. In some scenarios these natural mechanisms of depletion falter. For example the aging process and poor diet may hinder deuterium depletion in humans. Circumstances may arise where dietary or environmental deuterium levels are too elevated for natural depletion processes to be sufficient.

Strategies for Reducing Deuterium

1.) The composition of your diet significantly impacts your body's deuterium levels. Consuming a low-carb, whole food-based diet rich in fats, green vegetables, and animal products can effectively decrease your deuterium levels. Conversely, a diet that is high in sugar, starches, or processed foods can elevate deuterium levels in your body. The fundamental principle underlying a deuterium depletion diet is straightforward: opt for foods low in deuterium and minimize your intake of high-deuterium foods. It's worth noting that the low-deuterium foods mentioned align with diets such as the ketogenic diet, paleo diet, and carnivore diet, all of which have shown potential in preventing or treating conditions like obesity, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and heart disease. Deuterium Content in some common Foods:
Wheat flour: 150 ppm
Beet sugar: 146 ppm
Corn: 145 ppm
Potato: 143 ppm
Oat: 141 ppm
Pork meat: 138 ppm
Beef meat: 138 ppm
Spinach: 136 ppm
Peanut butter: 131 ppm
Olive oil: 130 ppm
Butter: 124 ppm
Beef fat: 121 ppm
Lard: 116 ppm

Consider factors such as ingredients, processing or preparation methods, and location. Ingredients play a significant role; carbohydrates, sugars, and starches typically have higher deuterium content, while grass-fed animal products, fats, and leafy greens have lower deuterium content. Processing and preparation also impact deuterium content. The manufacturing process often removes low-deuterium plant matter from refined flour, sugar, or other plant products. Many food preparation methods involve heating (e.g., boiling or dehydration), leading to evaporation, which concentrates deuterium in the food. The deuterium content of plants and other foods is influenced by factors such as altitude and latitude. It’s advisable not to consume imported foods from equatorial regions, particularly during winter, if you live far from the equator. There's an evolutionary argument for favoring locally and seasonally sourced foods since global food transportation is a relatively recent development.

2.) Deuterium-Depleted Water (DDW): Deuterium-depleted water is water with reduced deuterium content. The precise definition of DDW varies among scientists, but generally, naturally occurring water with deuterium levels below 140 parts per million (ppm) is rare and mainly found in polar regions. Compared to dietary changes, some studies suggest drinking DDW is a more efficient short-term method for reducing deuterium levels. While food and water constitute the primary sources of deuterium in your body, DDW has much lower deuterium levels than naturally deuterium-depleted foods. Drinking DDW doesn't depend on your body's natural depletion mechanisms, making it a suitable choice for people with cancer or those struggling to achieve healthy deuterium levels through other means. Low-deuterium diets deplete deuterium from within your body, but drinking DDW reduces deuterium levels in cells and mitochondria through a process known as isotopic shock. The lower the deuterium concentration in DDW, the faster it depletes your body's levels.

More on DDW another day.

3.) Infrared Light and Sunlight: Infrared light enhances your energy generation by turbocharging your mitochondria. You can access infrared light through light therapy devices or from natural sunlight, which consists of approximately 49.4% infrared light.Natural infared light is mostly present in the AM at sunrise and in the PM at sunset. The heightened energy production by your mitochondria leads to the production of extra metabolic water, which is low in deuterium. It's important to mention that some researchers propose an alternative theory about how IR benefits your mitochondria. They suggest that infrared light may function by reducing the viscosity of the water surrounding mitochondria, thereby increasing energy production. If this theory holds true, the viscosity reduction in water induced by IR would also replicate the advantages of deuterium depletion because deuterium can elevate water viscosity. Lastly, both infrared light and sunlight, along with the heat from saunas, promote perspiration. Sweating is a natural mechanism your body uses for depleting deuterium, which is a positive aspect of these methods for reducing your deuterium level.

4.) Cold Exposure: Subjecting your body to cold conditions heightens your metabolic rate by means of non-shivering thermogenesis, a process that generates warmth by discharging protons. The dissipation of protons during heat production is advantageous for deuterium depletion. This practice also augments the presence of brown adipose tissue, a distinct type of fat capable of releasing protons to produce even more heat. Cold exposure is effective for deuterium depletion, but there is one important consideration: The adaptability to cold conditions varies among individuals. In likelihood if your ancestors resided in regions distant from the equator, you are more likely to achieve better results with cold exposure and adaptation.

5.) Physical Activity: Reduces your deuterium levels by enhancing the production of deuterium-depleted metabolic water and inducing perspiration. Engaging in aerobic exercise at intensities below 65% of your maximum oxygen volume (VO2 max) is particularly effective in promoting metabolic water production because it maximizes fat burning. When you combine aerobic exercise with either fasting or the ketogenic diet, you can achieve fat oxidation rates of 1.5 grams of fat or higher per minute. This equates to 99 milliliters of metabolic water with deuterium concentrations of 115 ppm or less per hour.

6.) Clean Air: While simply breathing clean air isn't enough to reduce deuterium levels on its own, it plays a crucial role in deuterium depletion. Air pollution, whether indoors or due to traffic and agricultural activities, can impede your deuterium reduction. Airborne pollutants present in these environments can elevate the risk of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and mitochondrial damage, making weight loss more challenging. Inhaling polluted air with low oxygen levels can lead to increased reliance on carbohydrates, insulin resistance, and a decline in mitochondrial health, all of which result in elevated deuterium levels. It's important to note that high reliance on carbohydrates and ineffective fat burning contribute to higher deuterium levels. Optimal mitochondrial function and maintaining healthy deuterium levels require access to clean air. Besides ensuring clean air intake, another strategy for enhancing mitochondrial function and consequently promoting deuterium depletion is to practice slow, deliberate breathing at a rate of around six breaths per minute. This practice boosts oxygen saturation in your blood and may aid in reducing deuterium levels.

7.) Fasting: An effective method for depleting deuterium because it shifts your body's metabolism towards burning fat. When your body burns fat, whether it's stored or recently consumed, your mitochondria produce 1.1 kilograms of "metabolic water" for every 1000 grams of fat burned, and this water is typically deuterium-depleted, typically containing around 115 parts per million (ppm). Fasting can yield benefits similar to those of the ketogenic diet, such as helping with obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes treatment. These benefits may in part be attributed to the process of deuterium depletion. Dry fasting, a variation of fasting, involves abstaining from both food and water. A study conducted in 2013 found that a five-day dry fast was safe for ten healthy adults. Although this small study does not definitively establish its safety for everyone, it does demonstrate that dry fasting is not inherently reckless. The rationale behind dry fasting aligns with deuterium depletion—by temporarily forgoing both food and water, you eliminate the two primary sources of deuterium, which can accelerate the depletion process as your body relies on stored fat. It's important to note that any one of these practices are unlikely to drastically reduce deuterium levels individually. These deuterium reduction strategies are most effective when used in synergy.

TLDR:
Excess deuterium can have serious negative effects on biological functions.

Steps you can take to reduce deuterium in your body:

Cut out: carbs, refined sugars and processed foods
Eat more: animal protein, leafy greens & healthy fats
Drink high quality water
Get in the sun
Exercise
Sweat
Ground
Get good sleep
Pray
Meditate