Page 203 - Wasserstoff Medizin

oxygen metabolism. They seemingly help anaerobic tissue compensate for hypoxia by
fueling aerobic metabolism.

From the very moment of conception, life can be sparked by the unique redox
environment created when a sperm fertilizes an egg. The sperm is extremely rich in
proteins containing the mineral selenium, which is a potent reducing agent for
glutathione, the most important antioxidant molecule in cells. The egg, on the other
hand, is very rich in glutathione. Bring these two potent antioxidant strategies together,
and you create an exceptionally reduced cell that can initiate life and promote
development using the power of redox. That reducing power provides a metabolic
spark as new life begins its journey, allowing the rapidly dividing cells to safely
maintain a high rate of oxidation.

The Ultimate Biological Molecule

The ultimate sulfur molecule is glutathione, and its function in life is to combat oxidative
stress. In reduced form it is a reservoir for electrons and the most potent antioxidant we
make. Selenium is an ideal carrier for electrons. It picks them up easily but just as easily
gets rid of them.

We must have enough selenium from the diet to combat oxidative stress. Some soils are
famous for being extremely selenium-deficient and resulted in higher rates of
hypothyroidism, goiter, cretinism, miscarriages, and extreme fatigue. A selenium
deficiency state can be evident as fatigue and impaired cognitive function, as well as
thyroid dysfunction.

Mercury binds to a form of selenium called selenocysteine. It is the regular cysteine
molecule, but the sulfur element has been replaced by selenium. The affinity of mercury
for that molecule is 10 to the 45th power. Unfortunately, that is actually a million-fold
higher affinity than for the glutathione that would normally bind to that molecule.
Mercury can bind so tightly to selenoproteins that an adequate diet is not going to meet
the body’s demands.

It has been reported that seleno-protein P in the brain can bind a hundred molecules of
mercury, like a natural sponge, just to keep mercury away from the developing neurons
and astrocytes. Once mercury is present in those cells, they will not develop normally,
due to disrupted DNA methylation.

Glutathione is Magnesium-Dependent

Glutathione protects the cells from oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis and glutathione
levels are magnesium dependent. Glutathione is a very important detoxifying agent,
enabling the body to get rid of undesirable toxins and pollutants. It forms a soluble
compound with the toxin that can then be excreted through the urine or the gut. The liver
and kidneys contain high levels of glutathione as they have the greatest exposure to toxins.

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