Iodine and Hydrogen Ions

To make a complex topic simple – iodine is a metallic element that can be electrically active and it helps stabilize water and hydrogen ions in a electrically active form. The combination of iodine and water in ionic form can create changes in protein structure more rapidly than regular enzymatic chemical reactions. The combination can effect DNA and mitochondria which helps explain why iodine is so important to infant development and energy levels throughout life.

Iodine is known as the mineral used in the thyroid hormone which is essential for energy metabolism but it is also essential for mitochondria which produce energy within every cell.

For more details: Tensegrity #6: Hydrogen Bonding Networks in Water, by Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon, jackkruse.com.

Iodine & Proton Tunneling in Tadpole Development:

  • Providing iodine allows normal development of frog tadpoles even when they are missing normal pituitary or thyroid gland function which typically would disrupt the loss of their tail and growth of legs. (Accelerated Metamorphosis of Frog Tadpoles by Injections of Extract of Anterior Lobe Pituitary Gland and the Administration of Iodinepdf)
  • A video with a simple explanation of proton tunneling (positive hydrogen ions are a single positive proton, the negative electron likely remains with the oxygen atom of a water molecule), and the role proton tunneling may help a tadpole change into a four legged frog is available in a video: How do tadpoles change into frogs: The secrets of quantum physics. Spark.
  • Early stages of human development is somewhat similar to the changes seen in a frog tadpole. Between weeks four to seven of human fetal development the fertilized egg changes from a sphere shaped ball of cells into a tadpole type shape and then eventually into more of a human infant shape. (fetal development)
  • Early miscarriages in human pregnancy may be more of a risk if the woman is low in iodine levels. (Iodine status in women after early miscarriages in the Czech Republic, endocrine-abstracts.org)
  • Apathy, depression, slightly or significantly reduced cognitive skills, feeling cold in normal room temperatures, constipation, and sparse hair growth may all be symptoms of iodine deficiency in addition to increased risk for miscarriage in early pregnancy.  Food sources and symptoms of deficiency for iodine and selenium are available here: Iodine & Thyroid, effectivecare.info)

Humans need iodine, we are water based creatures, 60-70% water, and it is electrically stabilized and made more chemically efficient by iodine. We grow rapidly during infancy and childhood however we continue to perform rapid electrical reactions in all of our mitochondria in all of our cells, every day of our lives. Loss of mitochondria function has been linked to many chronic illnesses and with aging.

We need iodine because the water within our brain cells and other cells need iodine and the hydrogen ion rich plasma of our mitochondria need iodine.  Quantum proton tunneling saves energy, – it is how the sun works too.

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

Water and proton tunneling

To revisit a recent post – and my mentioning an exquisite website about the science of water – why is it important? We are about 65% water by mass held together with oil based membranes that contain the water and a mineral rich skeletal structure that helps give us form and support the muscles for moving around. The number of water molecules is far greater though (98.73%) because they are small molecules compared to other proteins or lipids. (Composition of the human body, Wikipedia)

So how the water molecules act as groups and as a fluid containing other minerals and larger molecules is chemistry and physics essential for health. Water also conducts electricity and minerals can act as magnets or carriers of electric charge so the study of electric fields and electric signals is also of importance. Many people are likely aware of surface tension, the faint electric charge of electrons shared between water molecules which help it to cling together in the form of rain drops or to provide a surface on which water bugs can skate or on which car tires may hydroplane in a rain storm. Fewer people may be aware that protons from the more solid interior of atomic structure may also be shared between molecules when uniformly arranged in ordered stacks or rows.

  • It is called proton tunneling and several pages on the water website include description and discussion of the physics. Water Structure and Science by Martin Chaplin, BSc PhD CChem FRSC, (about), pages including: “proton tunneling,” (Table of Contents).
  • Another website author studying quantum biology and health also recommends reading Martin Chaplin’s site, see: Tensegrity 5: The Quantum Cell Membrane, Dr Jack Kruse, a neuroscientist, jackkruse.com.  (Tensegrityinbiology.co.uk/definition)
  • Advances have been made in the study of water structure and quantum electric fields. Snowflakes may be so intricate because of the special ability of water molecules to share electrons and protons: Large Structured Water Clusters Caught on Camera.

From a dietary and health perspective and a world culture perspective it is common to have shared mealtimes and include prayer or positive conversation and studies suggest it is more beneficial for digestion to avoid negative conversation at mealtimes. The information about proton tunneling between organized groups of water molecules could explain somewhat how or why positive energy is effecting health and digestion beneficially and negative energy and electro-magnetic fields (EMF) from wifi and smartphone type devices may be effecting health negatively. (EMFs, previous post) The electrical/magnetic wave energy have been found to disrupt hydrogen bonding (Magnetic and Electric Effects on Water, Chaplin) and may also be disrupting the organized proton tunneling of the stacked water molecules. Many areas of the body are organized in layers including the skin and inner mucous membranes of the digestive system and also the cells of the brain are generally organized in layers that are then folded to fit within the skull.

Western medicine typically does not include a study of energy health practices that are traditional or more recent in some nations or cultural groups. Acupressure/acupuncture is based on energy fields of the body and benefits have been substantiated with medical research. Chakra energy fields are studied in yoga and health in India. Eastern and Western are rough descriptors for the two basic groups of health philosophy. Bringing together the Western biochemical approach and the energy field approach of the Eastern therapies might help improve health care for prevention or treatment of illness.

The physical landscape may also benefit from a study of electro-magnetic fields and health. Violence in urban areas has been found to be reduced in areas near trees – odd? (1) Maybe, other studies have found being around nature has relaxing and de-stressing effects on the body. (10.4, 10.19, 10.20, 10.21) Studies of trees as a potential buffer for the very large high power electric line towers has shown a reduction in the EMF radiation in the region of the treeline. (2)

A walk in a natural setting may be more beneficial to health than a walk in an urban setting (10.19, 10.20) but even looking at images of nature has been found to help reduce stress levels – more than taking a walk in a busy urban setting, (10.21) suggesting that while exercise has health benefits, exposure to nature also has health benefits. 

Forest air may provide health benefits from essential oils and other nutrients in the moisture rich air and electrically active ions. (G.Shinrin-Yoku Forest Medicine), (G.thescienceexplorer.com)

Why is water blue?  – because it scatters blue light rays and absorbs other colors.                 (Water Absorption Spectrum)

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

  1. Tree Cover Protecting Against Violent Assault, SpaceTimeEpi Group, dwiebe@upenn.eduJuly 17, 2017,  http://spacetimeepi.net/portfolio-item/tree-cover-and-violent-assault/
  2. M. Suojanen, C. Lederle, R. Heim, T. Keikko, S. Kuusiluoma, L. Korpinen, The effect of trees on calculation of electric fields
    near 400 kV transmission lines, Transactions on Modelling and Simulation vol 30, © 2001 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-355X  https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/CMEM01/CMEM01091FU.pdf
  3. Shinrin-Yoku, shinrin-yoku.org, http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html (G.Shinrin-Yoku Forest Medicine)
  4. Kelly Tatera, Scientists Reveal Why “Forest Bathing” or Going to the Beach Boosts our Well-Being, Feb. 3, 2016, thescienceexplorer.com, http://thescienceexplorer.com/brain-and-body/scientists-reveal-why-forest-bathing-or-going-beach-boosts-our-well-being (G.thescienceexplorer.com).

10.4: Byoung-Suk Kweon, Roger S. Ulrich, Verrick D. Walker and Louis G. Tassinary, Anger and Stress: The Role of Landscape Posters in an Office Setting, Environment and Behavior 2008 40: 355  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louis_Tassinary/publication/258132363_Anger_and_Stress_The_Role_of_Landscape_Posters_in_an_Office_Setting/links/0a85e5304d07b6d045000000.pdf (10.4)

Aquaporin protein channels in desalination of sea water

Technological advances have often looked to nature for unique designs. The aquaporin protein channels that help our brains move water across the blood brain barrier (previous post) are being used in experimental desalination membranes for moving the water across a barrier membrane that blocks the salt. Fresh water inexpensively being able to be made out of sea water could help save drought stricken areas. (The new water technologies that could save the planet, The Guardian)

Current technology to desalinate (remove salt) from ocean water is energy intensive making it very costly. Some success has occurred in developing solar panel systems to provide the energy needed for that type of desalination.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

Make every day Kidney Appreciation Day

In case you missed World Kidney Day (March) today is a good day to appreciate kidney health. The pair of kidneys or single kidney clean the body of daily acidic waste from metabolism and dietary sources and remove other excess minerals and toxins. Adequate water is essential for kidney health as dehydration can cause damage that may not be reversible.

The amount of water a person needs per day varies with the size of the person and the amount of heat, humidity and exercise they experience throughout their day. The eight cups per day for an average person is just an estimate based on typical conditions and average size. Dr. Batmanghelidj specialized in water needs for chronic illness or general health and his rough guideline for adults was to aim to drink ounces of water per day equal to half your body weight (in pounds), so a 150 pound adult might benefit from drinking 75 ounces of water per day ~ about 9 cups of water. The fluid content of herbal tea, juice, milk, or soup would be helping reach the goal, while a diuretic type fluid like coffee or caffeinated black or green teas, or alcoholic beverages would not. His book is older and the validity of some of his theories have been questioned but as a fairly easy to follow overview of the importance of water to health, it is helpful. (Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, pdf)

For more information on the chemistry of water see the collected work on the topic by Martin Chaplin (Water Structure Science), a review of inorganic, organic and biochemistry and physics will be helpful first – I’ve only read a few sections and it is fascinating but slow going. The author explains with enough detail and graphs that even lacking the review of the college courses some of the information can be understood.

For more information on healthy diet for general health or aging and the prevention of chronic kidney or vascular disease see the recently published article about nutrition for health written by a nephrologist. A recent review of organic and biochemistry will be helpful but again some of the basic concepts can be picked up from the thorough description of the issues that may be causing chronic illness and chronic kidney disease.

The summary points – excess protein and sodium and acid producing foods is tasking on the kidneys and may increase risk of chronic illness while adequate to plentiful amounts of potassium rich vegetables and fruit is protective.

How much is considered excess protein?: “The average American consumes 1.2 gm protein/kg/day [23], exceeding the recommended intake (~0.8–1.0 gm/kg/day) for a healthy adult.” (1)

Math – the 150 pound average person is about 68 kilograms (kg) and is averaging an intake of 82 grams of protein per day (1.2 gm/kg/day) instead of the recommended range of 54.4-68 grams per day. For perspective to daily meals – 8 ounces of milk contains about 8 grams of protein, one ounce of meat or one egg or a half cup of beans, about 7 grams, one piece of bread, about 2-3 grams. (Protein content of foods, Today’s Dietitian)

Second only to anyone who doesn’t keep children in cages – nephrologists(kidney/renal health specialists) are my favorite people. The author of the article is saying with a lot of detail that prevention is the best medicine. Treat yourself to healthy habits and you may be lucky enough to never need to meet a nephrologist as a patient. Diets for kidney dialysis patients are extremely restrictive.

Mark your calendars – World Kidney Day 2019 is planned for March 14th. (World Kidney Day)

  • For more information about kidney disease and risk factors see “Who Lives, Who Dies with Kidney Disease,” by Mohammad Akmal and Vasandhara Raghaven, (2018), amazon.com. The book includes personal stories of a variety of patients, real, with some names and identifying details changed for anonymity, starting with some of the first patients diagnosed and treated with kidney dialysis or kidney transplants. The stories may inspire and may leave you reaching for a tissue for tears – they may leave you appreciating kidney health for you and your loved ones and the pioneers who have made treatment more possible. Kidney donors are also worthy of appreciation, today and everyday. The latter part of the book includes an overview of chronic and acute conditions that place [patients more at risk for developing kidney disease, preventative care that may help and current medical treatments that are available.

Addition, Oct. 9, 2020,  elevated blood sugar is also a risk that can lead to irreversible kidney damage. Bitter taste receptors are found within the kidney and are involved in clearance of calcium. They are also found in the intestinal tract and help tell us we are satisfied after a meal or snack that contains bitter tasting phytonutrients.

  • In order for the body to produce bitter or other types of taste and odor receptors we need to have adequate zinc as it is involved in mRNA production of the receptor protein chain. See the post Zinc… for more information and reference list.

    Zinc – big news, CoV and other illness related. (Sept. 27, 2020)

  • In order for the bitter taste receptors to be activated and function we need to eat bitter tasting nutrients – and then we can have better appetite control and they are also involved in better blood sugar control – and the kidney function.

Diabetic Kidney Disease

This video by a nephrologist, Dr. Jason Fung, is easy to follow along regarding the risk of high blood sugar for kidney health and how excess protein while fine for someone with normal kidney function, may worsen the health of someone’s kidneys when there is already some loss of renal function. He does not mention the benefit or need for zinc or bitter tasting nutrients in the diet for appetite and blood sugar or kidney function, however. Those are fairly new areas of research.  – Dr. Jason Fung on Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes. Thanks.

  1. Qi Qian, Dietary Influence on Body Fluid Acid-Base and Volume Balance: The Deleterious “Norm” Furthers and Cloaks Subclinical Pathophysiology, Nutrients 2018, 10(6), 778; Open Access, http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/6/778/htm  (1)
  2.  Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D., Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Global Health Solutions, Inc.; Third Ed. (November 1, 2008), https://www.amazon.com/Your-Bodys-Many-Cries-Water/dp/0970245882/ (2), http://www.cci-coral-club.okis.ru/file/cci-coral-club/knigi/FereydoonBatmanghelidj_Your_Bodys_Many_Cries_for_Water_eng.pdf (pdf)
  3. Martin Chaplin, BSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC, Water Structure Science: a website concerned with the physical, chemical and biological properties of water., London South Bank University, (Water Structure Science)   http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/water_structure_science.html (3
  4. Protein Content of Foods, webinar pdf, Today’s Dietitian, (Protein content of foods, Today’s Dietitian)   http://www.todaysdietitian.com/pdf/webinars/ProteinContentofFoods.pdf (4)
  5. World Kidney Day 2019, cute-calendar.com, (World Kidney Dayhttps://www.cute-calendar.com/event/world-kidney-day/33701.html (5)