Podcast Summary: Episode 150 - Alex Tarnova: Unlocking Longevity with Hydrogen Water - Anti-Aging, Increased Energy & Reducing Inflammation
Published on March 20, 2025
In Episode 150 of "The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka," host Gary Brecka delves deep into the transformative potential of hydrogen water with guest Alex Tarnova, a pioneering expert in hydrogen therapy. This comprehensive discussion explores the scientific foundations, personal experiences, and groundbreaking research surrounding hydrogen water and its role in anti-aging, inflammation reduction, and overall wellness.
1. Introduction to Hydrogen Water and Its Relevance
Gary Brecka opens the conversation by addressing common misconceptions about hydrogen water, particularly the skepticism around hydrogen gas's ability to remain dissolved in water and exert therapeutic effects.
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Gary Brecka [00:07]:
"When I talk about hydrogen in the water, their reaction is, well, doesn't the gas just float to the top, go out into the atmosphere? How are you able to ingest the hydrogen gas and have it create its therapeutic effect in the body?"
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Alex Tarnova [00:18]:
"Hydrogen water gets into the gut a lot better than inhalation. They elevate different tissues in different capacities. It's better for a lot of these metabolic conditions."
2. Alex Tarnova’s Personal Journey and Motivation
Alex shares a compelling personal story that led him to focus intensively on hydrogen gas and elemental magnesium as therapeutic agents. At 29, after a period of intense physical training and subsequent unexplained illness leading to severe inflammation and polyarthritis, Alex sought alternative solutions beyond conventional medicine.
- Alex Tarnova [03:15 - 07:03]:
"I was training as if I was a professional athlete... Suddenly, I got really sick. I developed sudden onset narcolepsy, sleeping like 16 hours a day, crushing fatigue... My C reactive proteins were about 100 times abnormal."
His struggle with debilitating symptoms and the ineffectiveness of standard treatments propelled him into extensive research, ultimately leading to his discovery and development of the first clinically valid hydrogen tablet.
3. Development and Innovation of H2 Tablets
Alex narrates the challenges faced in creating effective hydrogen tablets, including initial failures with hydrogen water machines and the critical realization that commercially available machines did not produce therapeutically viable hydrogen levels.
- Alex Tarnova [08:26 - 11:37]:
"I found a reagent to test for hydrogen gas in water. The first test detected no hydrogen. I had to over triple the input to reduce a single drop... I started thinking I need a powder so I can control the dose."
Collaborating with Dr. Richard Holland, an organic chemistry PhD, Alex refined the tablet formulation through thousands of iterations to ensure consistent and effective hydrogen delivery. This collaboration was pivotal in validating the scientific claims behind hydrogen therapy.
4. Scientific Insights and Clinical Research
The episode delves into the multifaceted mechanisms by which hydrogen gas exerts its benefits, emphasizing its role as a mitohormetic effector—a mild stressor that promotes cellular resilience and homeostasis.
- Alex Tarnova [25:14]:
"Hydrogen is acting as a mitohormetic effector. It spikes the inflammation and oxidative stress higher and then drops back down to homeostasis faster."
Gary and Alex discuss various clinical studies demonstrating hydrogen water's efficacy in reducing inflammation without suppressing the necessary immune responses, enhancing athletic performance, and improving cognitive functions. Notably, hydrogen therapy has shown promise in:
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Anti-Aging and Longevity:
- Improvement in telomere length and cognitive scores among older adults ([20:25] Gary Brecka).
- Enhanced methylation markers linked to youthfulness ([21:24] Alex Tarnova).
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Metabolic Health:
- Reversal of metabolic syndrome in clinical trials ([44:40] Alex Tarnova).
- Regulation of appetite hormones like GLP1 and ghrelin, aiding in weight loss and metabolic balance ([46:31] Alex Tarnova).
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Inflammation and Recovery:
- Comparable anti-inflammatory effects to the RICE protocol for injuries, but with improved circulation and healing markers ([38:51] Gary Brecka; [38:57] Alex Tarnova).
- Reduction in post-concussion symptoms by over 70% in severity scores ([40:55] Gary Brecka).
5. Practical Application: Incorporating Hydrogen Gas into Daily Life
Gary and Alex provide actionable guidance on how listeners can integrate hydrogen tablets into their wellness routines. Emphasizing dosage, timing, and consumption methods ensures optimal absorption and therapeutic benefits.
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Alex Tarnova [51:10]:
"Our studies range from one to three tablets a day... It's important to drink it on an empty stomach."
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Gary Brecka [52:36]:
"Any amount helps. Put this into your daily routine, take a room temperature glass bottle of water, drop a tablet or two in it, and then chug it."
Key recommendations include:
- Dosage: Typically 1-3 tablets per day, tailored to individual needs and health conditions.
- Consumption: Rapid ingestion of the tablet-dissolved water on an empty stomach to maximize hydrogen absorption.
- Timing: Morning or pre-exercise times, with a brief waiting period before meals to avoid competition with endogenous hydrogen production from dietary fiber.
6. Future Directions and Ongoing Research
Alex outlines the expansive scope of current and upcoming research projects aimed at further validating and expanding the applications of hydrogen therapy. These include:
- Gender-Specific Studies: Exploring differential responses in males and females, potentially mediated by hormones like estrogen ([58:00] Gary Brecka).
- Expanded Clinical Trials: Additional studies in Serbia, Russia, and Australia targeting various health outcomes.
- Collaborations: Partnership with the Molecular Hydrogen Institute to advance scientific understanding and secure funding for future research ([41:18] Alex Tarnova).
7. Conclusion: The Path to Becoming an Ultimate Human
In the closing segment, Alex reflects on the philosophy underpinning his work and the pursuit of continual improvement—central themes of the "Ultimate Human" ethos.
- Alex Tarnova [59:50]:
"Constantly the pursuit to improve... Always forward, trying to make small improvements."
Gary echoes this sentiment, highlighting the affordability and accessibility of hydrogen therapy as a vital biohack for enhancing health and longevity.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Gary Brecka [00:07]:
"When I talk about hydrogen in the water, their reaction is, well, doesn't the gas just float to the top, go out into the atmosphere? How are you able to ingest the hydrogen gas and have it create its therapeutic effect in the body?"
-
Alex Tarnova [00:18]:
"Hydrogen water gets into the gut a lot better than inhalation. They elevate different tissues in different capacities. It's better for a lot of these metabolic conditions."
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Gary Brecka [02:56]:
"Ultimate Human... I'm a big proponent of hydrogen gas, hydrogen water, as a way to reduce inflammation, improve our circulation, as a way to actually just make this a part of our health and wellness journey."
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Alex Tarnova [12:04]:
"Elemental magnesium and the organic acids we're using are reacting with the water, and it's breaking that bond between the H2 and the oxygen... It doubles as a highly bioavailable magnesium substance supplement."
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Gary Brecka [20:22]:
"They had higher breath hydrogen than the average young person."
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Alex Tarnova [25:14]:
"Hydrogen is acting as a mitohormetic effector... It's improving the health and the number of the mitochondria."
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Gary Brecka [51:10]:
"Hydrogen gas has a positive effect on metabolism... restoring the gut barrier that single cell barrier that protects our inside world from our outside world."
Final Thoughts
Episode 150 offers an in-depth exploration of hydrogen water's potential to revolutionize health and longevity. Through Alex Tarnova's expertise and personal journey, listeners gain valuable insights into how a simple molecule like hydrogen can play a pivotal role in reducing inflammation, enhancing metabolic health, and promoting overall well-being. The discussion underscores the importance of scientific validation and ethical research practices, positioning hydrogen therapy as a promising frontier in anti-aging and biohacking.
For those inspired to incorporate hydrogen gas into their daily routines, Gary provides clear guidance on the use of H2 tablets, ensuring affordability and accessibility. As ongoing research continues to unveil the myriad benefits of hydrogen therapy, this episode serves as a compelling invitation to embrace innovative approaches to health optimization.
Resources Mentioned:
- Gary Brecka’s Website
- Studies on hydrogen therapy referenced in the conversation (available in the show notes)