How Does Hydrogen Enter a Human?
Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and plays a significant role in supporting living organisms. The human body relies heavily on hydrogen as a chemical agent within its physiological processes. Hydrogen's primary route of entry into the body is through the foods eaten on a daily basis.
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Hydrogen
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Of all the known natural elements, hydrogen is the smallest and lightest one in the group. It's name is of Greek origin and means "water-former." A hydrogen atom contains one electron in its orbit and can take on an additional electron when interacting with other atoms. Its presence in the human body is necessary within each and every chemical interaction that takes place, according to Tuberose, a holistic health resource site. In order for the body to use hydrogen, it must first break down foods into their most basic forms.
The Carbon Cycle
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The carbon cycle represents how elements like hydrogen, oxygen and carbon are recycled within the environment, according to Tuberose. It starts inside the plant photosynthesis process where water and sunlight are converted into oxygen and hydrogen. From there, plants use hydrogen to manufacture oxygen, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. As all foods are derived from plant materials in one way or another, the body extracts hydrogen molecules from ingested food and uses it to create ATP, which is the energy fuel for the cells. In turn, the oxygen we breathe in from plant life is returned in the form of carbon-dioxide.
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Function
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Metabolism processes within the body work to break down all food types --carbohydrates, lipids and proteins--into basic carbohydrate or sugar materials. Basic carbohydrates are made up of one-third carbon, one-third oxygen and one-third hydrogen. Certain enzymes are responsible for extracting hydrogen from these basic carbohydrate molecules. Once extracted, the body manufactures energy, or fuel by using oxygen, to burn up the hydrogen molecules inside the cells. The chemical structure of hydrogen enables it to move throughout the body, making it accessible as a fuel source.
Buffer Systems
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Metabolism processes are made up of a series of chemical reactions that work to convert food into usable forms. Every chemical reaction in the body requires a certain electrical charge to be present in order for materials like enzymes and hormones to move in and out of cell structures, according to the University of Wisconsin--Madison.
Buffer systems are chemically controlled pathways in the body, designed to regulate the body's pH balance (acid versus alkaline content) within the cells and the blood. Stable pH balances are what enable enzymes, hormones and cell metabolism processes to function normally. Hydrogen plays a significant role within these buffer system processes by helping to balance chemical charges across cell membranes and blood plasma pathways.
Storage
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Once hydrogen is metabolized in the body, excess amounts are stored in the liver, the intestine, the lungs and the spleen, according to Tuberose. The largest storage areas reside in the liver because of the role this organ plays in so many bodily functions. Since hydrogen is required for chemical exchanges to take place in the body, these stored reserves ensure that needed materials are available. As chemical processes require certain electrical conditions to be present, hydrogen serves as a universal-type molecule that contributes to most every chemical process in the body.
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References
Resources
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