About Deuterium

What is Deuterium?

Deuterium (symbol: hydrogen-2, D or ²H), also known as heavy hydrogen, is one of the two stable isotopes of hydrogen. The other is protium (symbol: hydrogen-1, ¹H). The nucleus of deuterium, called a deuteron, contains one proton and one neutron, whereas protium, which is far more common, has no neutron in its nucleus. Deuterium has a natural abundance in Earth’s oceans of approximately 1 atom per 6,420 hydrogen atoms. Thus deuterium accounts for approximately 0.0156% (or 0.0312% by mass) of all naturally occurring hydrogen in the oceans, while protium accounts for more than 99.98%. The abundance of deuterium changes slightly from one kind of natural water to another (see Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water).

Deuterium is one of the two stable isotopes of hydrogen. The nucleus of most hydrogen atoms in nature contains one proton (chemical symbol: ¹H), but the nucleus of some hydrogen atoms may also contain one proton and one neutron, or one proton and two neutrons. In the first case it is called deuterium (chemical symbol: ²H or D), and in the second – tritium (chemical symbol: ³H or T).

The abundance of deuterium in water on Earth is approximately one deuterium atom per 6,400 hydrogen atoms (156.25 parts per million), or 0.0156%. This deuterium concentration changes very little from one natural water to another.

The deuterium concentration in the body of an adult is around 120–140 ppm (parts per million). Although this may not seem like much, if we compare this quantity with the mass of other vital elements found in the blood, we see that deuterium is present in a quantity six times greater than calcium and ten times greater than magnesium.

Deuterium in Nature

The deuterium content of surface waters in our climate zone is 150 ppm, with minimal fluctuation; that of precipitation in the equatorial zone is 155 ppm; and that of waters in the northern part of Canada, in the interior of the continent, is 135–140 ppm. The amount of deuterium in water varies with latitude, but also with altitude (it has a value of 150 ppm at sea level and about 130 ppm at an altitude of 2,000 meters). The amount of deuterium measured in the water of a given geographical area is directly proportional to the deuterium concentration in the organisms living in that area.

The deuterium concentration in the body of an adult is around 12–14 mmol/l. Although this may not seem like much, comparing this quantity with the mass of other vital elements, we see that deuterium is present in the blood in a quantity six times greater than calcium and ten times greater than magnesium.

Properties of Deuterium and Heavy Water

Deuterium can have kinetic isotope effects different from hydrogen, and the physical and chemical properties of deuterium compounds differ from those of hydrogen compounds. For example, D₂O (heavy water) is more viscous and heavier than H₂O (ordinary water).

Heavy water is approximately 10% denser than ordinary water, enough for ice made of heavy water to sink in ordinary water.

The differences in bond energies and bond lengths of the compounds of the heavy hydrogen isotopes are greater than the isotopic differences for any other element. Bonds involving deuterium and tritium are stronger than those with ordinary hydrogen, and these differences are enough to produce significant changes in biological reactions.

Thus, heavy water is toxic to eukaryotic organisms. When 25% of the body’s water is replaced with heavy water, problems with cell division and reproduction appear, and a replacement of 50% causes death.

Anti-Aging Effects

Scientific research indicates that the aging process is correlated with the gradual accumulation of errors in DNA, errors that arise as a result of the DNA replication process. It is therefore logical to consider the factors that have a negative impact on DNA and to explore the effects of removing them from the cellular environment. New research indicates that, although largely ignored, deuterium oxide (water containing deuterium) may play a key role in the aging process, especially coupled with various types of radiation and other mutagenic factors.

Deuterium affects the shape of the molecules of the enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair processes. Research has shown that reducing the amount of deuterium diminishes the number and type of changes undergone by the enzymes and thus reduces their negative effects on the processes in which DNA is involved. Deuterium in fact acts as a catalyst in the degradation of DNA, especially when coupled with exposure to radiation.

The body has the ability to eliminate deuterium to a certain extent. This is evidenced by the fact that the deuterium concentration in the body is 20% lower than in nature and in drinking water. If deuterium were not harmful to the body, the concentration would probably be the same as in the surrounding environment.

Drinking deuterium-depleted water differs from antioxidant formulas, stimulants, vitamins and other anti-aging medicines in one key respect: this water does not change its chemical composition when it is digested.

All the deuterium-depleted water consumed has a direct effect at the cellular level. However, for it to have a measurable impact, the existing deuterium must be removed from the body. This happens faster when the deuterium concentration in drinking water is at a level considerably lower than in nature.

Drinking deuterium-depleted water can protect DNA from errors and support its repair mechanisms. Therefore, drinking deuterium-depleted water can serve to protect the body and help it function more efficiently. The body does not become younger as a result of drinking deuterium-depleted water, but its preventive consumption contributes to maintaining the body’s general state of well-being for longer, slowing the aging process of the cells and therefore of the whole body.

Uses of Deuterium

Deuterium is also known as heavy hydrogen because of its greater molecular mass. The combination of deuterium with oxygen yields heavy water (D₂O), which in increased quantities has negative biological effects. Heavy water was first produced in 1932, a few months after the discovery of deuterium. With the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938, and the need for a neutron moderator to capture neutrons, heavy water became an important component of the early nuclear energy programs. Deuterium is also used in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental sciences and hydrology, owing to its reactive properties and the differences between deuterium and hydrogen.

Negative Effects of Deuterium

Studies carried out using deuterium and heavy water have shown that they have negative effects on the immune system: an increased amount of deuterium in the body lowers the number of leukocytes in the blood and weakens the body’s ability to respond to disruptive factors.

Experiments on rodents have shown that a deuterium concentration of 25% in the body’s water causes sterility, because neither gametes nor zygotes can develop any longer. High concentrations of heavy water quickly kill fish, amphibians and insects.

Small mammals, such as rodents, die after approximately one week when they drink heavy water. The cause of death is similar to that of cytotoxic poisoning (as in chemotherapy) or of acute radiation syndrome.