Hello Everyone! Welcome back to another Friday blog. Today I want to look at water and some of its peculiar properties as well as biological or structured water. What is heavy and light water? Why are the different forms of water important to our physiology? What are the consequences of dehydration? Let's delve in. 

"Water is life's matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water" (Albert Szent-Györgyi, Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1937)

What is water? We have always been told water is H2O two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen. Is this accurate? Not exactly. Hydrogen itself has 3 isotopes. Water has 4 phases.

• Protium - has a proton and electron and is "light" hydrogen forming light water.
• Deuterium - "heavy" has a proton, neutron and electron so is twice the weight and size of light hydrogen.
• Tritium - "radioactive hydrogen" has a proton, 2 neutrons and an electron. 

Water can exist as a gas (vapor), liquid (fluid), solid (ice), gel-like, liquid crystalline lattice (EZ water). "Water is fundamental to all known forms of life, permeating every cell and tissue within living organisms. It serves as the medium for countless biological processes. Water’s unique attributes support life processes." EZ water is structured into hexagonal  a tight lattice that excludes or pushes out solutes, toxins and even salt holding a negative charge while water next to it holds a positive charge creating a battery and holding light, particularly red/IR. 

Normal water has some quite unusual properties compared to other liquids. If you are curious there is a catalog by Professor Martin Chaplin at London South Bank University with ~70 entries that document the known anomalies of water. Other liquids obey physics and condense with freezing, the solid sinks - heavy water sinks - while water expands at maximum density ~4°C and floats. It gets around 9% bigger. This is why filling a jar and putting it in the freezer is not a good idea; it will burst. Water is different due to hydrogen-bonding and the elegant geometry of water molecules. Water molecules have a bent-angle molecular geometric bond that form at an angle of 104.5 degrees with tetrahedral electron geometry. Why is this important? It makes it HIGHLY polar - creating a permanent molecular magnet capable of pulling apart other molecules - which is why it is the universal solvent.

According to the rules of chemistry, water should be a gas at room temperature and would be predicted to boil around -70-80°C. Yet, due to its high specific heat is liquid. As molecules get heavier, they boil at higher temperatures due to London-dispersion forces. Yet water boils at 100°C - and is slow in doing it. Ever wait for a pot of water to boil? It soaks up energy - absorbs it. Water behaves as a temperature buffer. Why? Something special happens when hydrogen binds to oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine - ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) have high boiling points compared to their "cousins." Water is a glutton for energy. Water helps stabilize temperature - during exercise for example. We sweat, using water to carry away heat. Each gram evaporates away around .540 calories of heat. 1 calorie of heat is the amount of energy to raise the temperature of 1g water 1°C. Sweat is 98% water and 2% solvents, solutes and biomolecules.  

Water also has high surface tension - second only to mercury. This causes it to form droplets and allows insects and boats to float. It performs capillary action to pull water from bottom up without a pump - it is because of hydrogen bond cohesion. Each water molecule forms hydrogen bonds with 4 other water molecules. They each do the same - forming networks of water molecules that are constantly exchanging their hydrogens and electrons in a 3-D quantum arrangement that continually changes, causing proton tunneling and allowing biology to perform on the stage of water. "Liquid water has importance as a solvent, a solute, a reactant, a catalyst, and a biomolecule, structuring proteins, nucleic acid, and cells and controlling our consciousness."  

The cell is 70% water with tightly packed organelles with a layer of EZ water forming between each organelle to optimize cellular communication. "Cell water is, therefore, mainly interfacial, a feature of potentially major significance for cell function (Pollack, 2001). We have termed this water “exclusion zone” (EZ) water, or “fourth phase” water (Pollack, 2013). Well characterized as building extensively next to hydrophilic surfaces, such as gels and biological surfaces, and to exclude solutes, EZ water has been shown to be vital for cellular health and function (Pollack, 2001)." The outer 1/3 of EZ water holds 1 million free electrons to power us.

When we are born, we are roughly 75% water. We lose water as we age. By the time we are ~ 60yo we are dehydrated and are only about 55% water. We all know that our body is mostly water, yet most of us go around in a dehydrated state. Did you realize that isolated blue light from screens, overhead lighting, etc. and non-native EMF is literally microwaving our cells.? What happens when you cook a steak in a microwave? It dehydrates and becomes the texture of leather. We know not to do that, yet we are doing it to our own tissues unknowingly because we can't see it happening. We FEEL it though in a host of disease processes. 

So, how do we "hydrate" our cells inside and outside? 

• Our body requires light - truly the full light spectrum, but particularly red/IR/FIR light - which is the majority of sunlight. Our mitochondrial cytochromes that live in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) are primarily red-light sensors - particularly CCO (cytochrome C oxidase) where biological water is made. "Cytochrome c oxidase is the terminal electron acceptor of the respiratory chain in the mitochondrion and in some bacteria. It contains two haem groups (Fe_a and Fe_a3) and two copper centres Cu_A and Cu_B. The site where oxygen binds and is reduced to water comprises Fe_a3 and Cu_B in close association and magnetically coupled." This biological water becomes the cytosol - that is the water INSIDE the cell. This special water is deuterium-depleted water. When mitochondria are optimized, they use oxygen to drive the ETC (electron transport chain) to make ATP. Tiny, light hydrogen can fit in the tiny motor that spins at 9,000rpm. Deuterium is twice the size and twice the weight. it breaks the ATPase motor, decreasing the spin. Disease falls between 1 and 9,000 rpm. Water molecules form around the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and function as electrical tape to protect us from the 30-million-mV charge at the IMM. EZ (exclusion zone) water is structured and holds 1 million free electrons in the outer 1/3 to provide a continuous stream of electrons to power us. It is the properties of water that allow us to harness this energy and use it to power our physiology.
• We require a narrow ratio of D/H. "In nature, the deuterium to hydrogen (D/H) ratio is approx. 1:6600; the natural abundance of D is about 150 ppm (0.015 atom%." Sea water is ~ 155ppm, while glacier water is ~ 120ppm. Deuterium is heavy in tropical fruits, grains, highly processed foods and seed oils. It is lowest in wild-caught fish, grass-fed animal fats and meat, EVOO and other healthy fats. DDW (deuterium-depleted water) at 125ppm has been found effective against cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other mitochondrial diseases. 
• We also require clean chemical/toxin-free mineralized water to drink for optimal health. Our ancestors drank from running mountain streams that washed over rocks and naturally was full of minerals. We do not have this. Our water is polluted, heavily deuterated, contaminated with fluoride, glyphosate, aluminum, medications and more being sprayed from the sky onto us and onto soil. Our food is contaminated with glyphosate and other pesticides/herbicides that may even be worse. We have to filter the best we can - ideally with a reverse osmosis system for the whole house. However, this is expensive. You can buy shower/tub heads filters, under sink filters or just a decanter for your counter. Charles and I have the Zero Water filter that has Zero toxins remaining and a tester (Amazon). I also buy the trace minerals to add afterward. No affiliations with any companies.

I've had some clients tell me they have "thick blood. "Liquid water H2O normally has low viscosity and can move freely. Deuterated water D2O has a significantly higher viscosity. "In nature, the deuterium to hydrogen (D/H) ratio is approx. 1:6600; the natural abundance of D is about 150 ppm (0.015 atom%)." We know that our blood is mostly water - up to 88%. If that blood has a high-deuterium load, the dynamic viscosity of the blood rises 23% higher than normal. It becomes sluggish and hard to move into narrow vessels. This is the dielectric of blood, which should move freely at 160, versus dropping to ~ 78 with deuteration. This creates pseudohypoxia in multiple tissues lowering organ function. 

The consequences of dehydration are dramatic. It ages us faster. The more water we lose the more we age. Dehydration negatively affects every organ and tissue in the body. I've chosen some of the most important to discuss.

• Collagen - the most prevalent protein in the body and requires massive hydration. "Collagen is surrounded by “water molecules in intimate contact with the (collagen) peptide acceptor groups” Water molecules form a network of well-organized hydrogen bonds that literally hold collagen apart from the solvent while modulating interactions of other molecules with collagen. "Although the definition is not universal, water molecules belonging to the first hydration layer, sometimes referred to as structural water, can be further classified into water-bridges (water molecules forming direct bridges between polar groups, see below), cleft water (water molecules forming chains with tetrahedral angles between the H-bonds in the fiber direction in each groove or cleft of the collagen triple helix), and interfacial water (water in direct contact with bulk water)." One can imagine how collagen degradation results from dehydration, 
• Brain - the brain is ~75% water. Even a 1-2% fluid loss (by body weight) impairs cognitive function. Dehydration affects memory, mood, focus, anxiety, irritability, acute fatigue, brain fog, difficulty making decisions, The glymphatic system uses CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) to wash the brain and remove waste. CSF is ~99% water! A 2025 abstract in the journal Frontiers purports the "role of certain amyloidogenic proteins, including amylin, amyloid beta, the prion protein, huntingtin, and α-synuclein, in disease processes that result in the accumulation of deposits of protein fibrils, along with lipid membrane components of damaged mitochondria, which we argue may be a mechanism to sequester deuterium in order to reduce the deuterium burden in the tissues." So, the brain is literally trying to protect itself from deuterium overload by creating plaques to protect mitochondria. "Damage to the glymphatic system will give rise to the development and progression of many brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and vascular dementia (VaD).
• Pineal Gland - "The pineal gland is a unique organ that synthesizes melatonin as the signaling molecule of natural photoperiodic environment and as a potent neuronal protective antioxidant." It is ~80% water, lives in the center of the brain and is about the size of a soybean. It is not protected by the BBB (blood brain barrier) and highly susceptible to calcification. This gland receives and filters massive amounts of blood - up to .86 liters/day - second only to the kidneys that filter ~200L/day. It is a secretory organ strategically perched to secrete melatonin into the brain circulation as well as the CSF at night. In addition, the pineal gland synthesizes many other peptides - even psychedelics as well as neurosteroids from cholesterol. Lower blood volume impairs pineal function, melatonin production, impairs communication with the master clock, the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus). The pineal gland is photosensitive - All light inhibits its function - it needs several hours of perceived darkness to release melatonin.
• Digestion - we need water to produce saliva. Saliva is protective against pathogens and contains enzymes to begin breaking down carbohydrates when chewing. Dehydration affects peristalsis - altering electrolyte balance and slowing smooth muscle contractions in the gut - often resulting in constipation.
• Vision - our eyes are 98% water - and an extension of the brain. 
• Bone - our bones are ~31% water. Loss of water makes them brittle, less springy and less shock-absorption due to loss of collagen and minerals that cushion bones. Chronic dehydration causes hormonal changes, increasing PTH (parathyroid hormone) causing release of calcium from the bones to maintain levels in the blood. This can lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis. "Bone water is found in four functional compartments. A) Free water is found within central canals and the lacunar-canalicular network. B) Water considered loosely bound is found at the interface of the collagen fibril and mineral crystals and can be associated with/loosely bound to collagen or mineral molecule. C) The tightly bound water fraction is bound to the collagen triple helix forming single and double water bridges, as cleft water within the grooves of the triple helix, and as water contributing to the interfacial monolayer. D) Structural water molecules are found incorporated around the mineral lattice of the carbonated apatite structures forming bridges of hydrogen bonds between ions within the apatite crystal."
• Muscle - Muscles hold the second highest water content in the body and are ~75% water. Dehydration causes a 20% reduction in muscle performance due to loss of blood flow and electrolytes, causing muscle cramping, fatigue and soreness. Dehydrated muscles are stiffer and more prone to tears and injury.
• Kidneys - our kidneys use a lot of water to remove waste from the body. The kidneys filter up to 200 liters of blood per 24 hours. Chronic dehydration reduces blood volume - making it harder to maintain optimal filtering pressure, increasing urine concentration - making it harder for the kidneys to remove waste and toxins. This concentrates minerals and waste products making it easier for calcium, oxalate, and uric acid to form crystals that can become kidney stones.
• Heart - Chronic dehydration has profoundly negative impact on the cardiovascular system. The heart has to work much harder to get blood delivered throughout the body. This can cause a number of symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, blood pressure fluctuations, racing heart and even arrythmias due to loss of electrolytes. The blood thickens with loss of water relative to other blood constituents. The normal level of deuterium in the blood is150ppm. Even a mild rise in deuterium significantly changes the viscosity of blood lowering the dielectric to 78. Tissues can't get the oxygen they need, nor rid waste. This raises the risk and likelihood of clots - DVT (deep vein thrombosis) - increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.
• Liver - chronic dehydration slows blood flow to the liver making it much more difficult to do all of its 500+ jobs - filters toxins/waste products, recycles red blood cells, produces bile, produces cholesterol, processes all absorbed nutrients from food converting it into usable biological energy (electrons are what your mitochondria see).

We could dive so much deeper into water - pun intended, Let's talk about what we can do to hydrate ourselves and optimize our physiology as life plays upon the screen of water. 

• See sunrise to absorb the red/IR light through our body turning on CCO to produce biological water - improving the D/H ratio
• Cold plunge ideally 55 degrees submerged - pressure from the water helps to deplete deuterium through the skin while mitochondrial CCO makes even more biological water - improving the D/H ratio
• Drink clean filtered re-mineralized water - you can calculate how much you need body weight x 16 = how many mL/day. 240mL = 1 cup. If you weigh 150lbs x 16 = 2,400/240 = 10 cups + more for hot days, intense sweating and exercise. 
• Drink carbonated mineral water - to help deplete deuterium. The Russians actually use this in their space program to lower the deuterium load in astronauts.
• DDW - deuterium-depleted water - you can buy this and add to drinking water to lower the deuterium load if you are sick with cancer or diabetes. It is expensive. The poor-man's version is carbonated mineral water.
• Sweat daily to rid the body of deuterium. 
• Protect eyes and skin from isolated blue light and non-native EMF (3G-6G) to prevent dehydrating your cells. 
• Exercise - exercise outside grounded and barefoot. Exercise wisely keeping in mind that muscles have high water content. If that water has a high deuterium load muscle function is impaired. It may not be a good idea to push your muscles too hard until you have deuterium-depleted and restored function.
• Ground - bare feet on the earth. We have eccrine glands on our hands and feet to allow us better connection with the earth. We gain electrons and discharge into the earth improving our negativity. When we lose electrons and have relatively more positive charges, we become sick. Gaining free electrons from the earth is vital to our health. Spend 30 minutes or more walking barefoot in your yard - be wary of electrical lines underground.  The earth is a powerful magnet. Our body needs to charge with electrons and our hands and feet are the connectors. 
• HP-EVOO (high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil) -
  • Enhances formation of EZ water or exclusion-zone water. "A fourth phase of water, labeled exclusion-zone or “EZ,” extends from hydrophilic surfaces. Salient features include exclusion of colloidal and molecular solutes, and characteristic light absorbance at 270 nm. In cell systems, EZ water interfaces with membranes, macromolecules, and organelles, and its buildup appears to be vital for function."
  • Feeds microbiome that regulates colonic water absorption and the gut barrier. We rely heavily on gut microbes to supply DD (deuterium-depleted) nutrients.
  • EVOO Polyphenols enhance cellular water biophysics protecting cell membranes - structure and function
  • Hydroxytyrosol (EVOO polyphenol) promotes the regeneration of mucus-secreting intestinal Goblet cells. They secrete mucin that binds tightly with water to create a protective hydrated gel layer over the intestinal lining.
  • Oleocanthal (EVOO polyphenol) - oleocanthal spontaneously and preferentially reacts with glycine compared to other amino acids or proteins, resulting in two derivatives oleoglycine and tyrosol acetate which alters its solubility, stability, and distribution in aqueous environments such as blood plasma or interstitial fluid and "has emerged as a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases, various cancers, and progressive neurodegenerative diseases."

So, until next time my friends…Drink, Drizzle, Digest HP-EVOO at least 4T raw daily, - use more for cooking and drizzling onto your food - eat the rainbow of local organic or wild-sourced veggies and fruits - eat according to what is growing at your latitude and location in season - eat wild-caught, pasture-raised, grass-fed - get early morning sunrise light, plenty of sunshine during the day, sleep in the dark, get your trace minerals and electrolytes with good sea salt - Celtic is hand-harvested and Himalayan was formed before plastics - eat foods high in lutein - drink plenty of filtered water. consume digestible and indigestible fiber for your gut microbes - adaptogens (such as mushrooms) and methylation donors (kale, beets, spinach, cruciferous, lion’s mane…), marjoram, rosemary, oregano, parsley and other herbs to detox, enhance overall health and reverse aging and disease - exercise your body and mind - ground barefoot to gain as many electrons as possible, add a few minutes of mindful meditation and breathing exercises to your day to combat stress - take a hot Epsom salt bath and follow with a cold shower/ice plunge - remove EMF (electromagnetic frequency) devices and blue light - use IR (infrared) from incandescent lighting, non-toxic candle or light a fire to enhance sleep and...turn off the light!!   #HP-EVOO 

This blog is intended for informational purposes only. Discuss strategies with your Healthcare Practitioner.