Most people alive today would probably agree that organic, pesticide-free, whole wheat, grain-based diets, low in animal-based foods, richer in plant proteins from lentils and beans, and consisting mainly of vegetables are ideal diets. The ancient Egyptians ate this way. To repeat, it was organic, pesticide-free, and whole-grain. Ask the folks who made the food pyramid (My Plate) and the Eat Lancet Diet, and they will love it. Does it sound amazing to you? Well, not to me. My Plate has adult men eating around ten slices of bread per day, or the equivalent of 47 teaspoons of table sugar! I wrote about how the Eat Lancet Diet causes malnutrition on January 1, which is a similar diet to My Plate. If you are interested in their recommendations—the Lancet's diet causes protein deficiency, among other things. Let’s see how the ancient Egyptians who ate the same way fared.
Read MoreWater, which is also known as H2O, is made up of two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O). The hydrogen atoms in water are mainly composed of protium, which is the lightest and most abundant isotope of hydrogen. Protium contains only one proton in its nucleus.
Deuterium, on the other hand, is an isotope of hydrogen that is heavier than protium because it contains one proton and one neutron in its nucleus. It is symbolized as 2H or D. When deuterium replaces protium in a water molecule, it creates what is called heavy water or deuterium oxide (D2O).
Deuterium has a larger relative change in atomic weight compared to other isotopes like protium. This leads to a phenomenon known as the kinetic isotope effect that influences reaction rates. Typically, heavier isotopes tend to cause slower reaction rates. These effects can impact various biological processes, including metabolic pathways and cellular function.
Consuming low-quality cattle feeds may lead to the production of intracellular water that is rich in deuterium, which can pose health risks for both the animals and humans who consume the resulting products. As I mentioned, its elevated presence in metabolic processes has been associated with various health concerns. This post will cover what deuterium is, how it affects our health, and how to avoid it.
Read More