As seasons shift, our bodies continuously adapt, regenerate, and respond to various forms of stress—physical, emotional, and environmental. This week, we highlight three complementary approaches to support this balance: hydrogen water, creatine, and medicinal mushrooms.
Hydrogen Water: Deep Antioxidant Support
Molecular hydrogen is a naturally occurring gas known for its extremely small size, allowing it to move easily throughout the body, including the brain. When dissolved in water, it becomes a unique support for maintaining oxidative balance.
Preliminary research suggests that hydrogen water may help modulate oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation—two processes often associated with aging and metabolic imbalance. It may also help:
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support recovery after physical exertion,
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improve certain metabolic markers,
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promote overall comfort and well-being.
Its effects are typically subtle, yet meaningful over time with consistent use.
Creatine: Energy for Body and Mind
Often linked to athletic performance, creatine plays a broader role in cellular energy production. Naturally produced by the body, it acts as a rapid energy reserve, especially for muscles and the brain.
Potential benefits include:
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supporting strength and muscular endurance,
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enhancing post-exercise recovery,
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improving cellular hydration,
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aiding cognitive performance during periods of fatigue or high mental demand.
Creatine can therefore be part of both an active lifestyle and a general energy-support routine.
Medicinal Mushrooms: Supporting and Balancing Immunity
Used for centuries in traditional practices, medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, maitake, chaga, wood ear, and silver ear are rich in polysaccharides.
These compounds act as signaling molecules for the immune system, helping to modulate rather than simply stimulate it. In other words, they support the body in responding appropriately when needed.
Traditionally, they are used to:
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support natural defenses,
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help the body adapt to stress,
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assist during seasonal transitions.
Their effects are gradual and aligned with a preventive, long-term approach to wellness.
A Complementary, Holistic Approach
These three approaches share a common intention: supporting the body’s natural functions rather than forcing immediate results.
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Hydrogen water supports oxidative and cellular balance
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Creatine enhances physical and mental energy
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Medicinal mushrooms help regulate and support immunity
Together, they reflect a holistic vision of health—one that develops over time through consistency, awareness, and respect for the body.
About Pierre Haddad
Pierre S. Haddad holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Montreal. For over 40 years, he has conducted scientific research in academic settings in Quebec and internationally (Austria, United States, Morocco). For more than 25 years, his work has focused on natural health products, traditional medicine, and the mechanisms of action of medicinal plants, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. He has received awards and distinctions from the academic and research communities, as well as from associations of complementary health practitioners. He is currently serving as Interim Scientific Director at Maison Jacynthe.
REFERENCES
Références
Hydrogen water
Ohta S. Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine. Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Oct;144(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.04.006. Epub 2014 Apr 24. PMID: 24769081.
Zanini D, Todorovic N, Korovljev D, Stajer V, Ostojic J, Purac J, Kojic D, Vukasinovic E, Djordjievski S, Sopic M, Guzonjic A, Ninic A, Erceg S, Ostojic SM. The effects of 6-month hydrogen-rich water intake on molecular and phenotypic biomarkers of aging in older adults aged 70 years and over: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Exp Gerontol. 2021 Nov;155:111574. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111574. Epub 2021 Oct 1. PMID: 34601077.
Sim M, Kim CS, Shon WJ, Lee YK, Choi EY, Shin DM. Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 22;10(1):12130. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68930-2. PMID: 32699287; PMCID: PMC7376192.
Korovljev D, Stajer V, Ostojic J, LeBaron TW, Ostojic SM. Hydrogen-rich water reduces liver fat accumulation and improves liver enzyme profiles in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2019 Nov;43(6):688-693. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2019.03.008. Epub 2019 Apr 11. PMID: 30982748.
Botek M, Krejčí J, McKune A, Valenta M, Sládečková B. Hydrogen Rich Water Consumption Positively Affects Muscle Performance, Lactate Response, and Alleviates Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness After Resistance Training. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Oct 1;36(10):2792-2799. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003979. Epub 2021 Feb 4. PMID: 33555824.
Kajiyama S, Hasegawa G, Asano M, Hosoda H, Fukui M, Nakamura N, Kitawaki J, Imai S, Nakano K, Ohta M, Adachi T, Obayashi H, Yoshikawa T. Supplementation of hydrogen-rich water improves lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Nutr Res. 2008 Mar;28(3):137-43. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.01.008. PMID: 19083400.
Creatine
Kreider RB, Stout JR. Creatine in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2021 Jan 29;13(2):447. doi: 10.3390/nu13020447. PMID: 33572884; PMCID: PMC7910963.
Medicinal mushrooms
Plosca MP, Chiș MS, Fărcaș AC, Păucean A. Ganoderma lucidum-From Ancient Remedies to Modern Applications: Chemistry, Benefits, and Safety. Antioxidants (Basel). 2025 Apr 25;14(5):513. doi: 10.3390/antiox14050513. PMID: 40427395; PMCID: PMC12108272.
Wu JY, Siu KC, Geng P. Bioactive Ingredients and Medicinal Values of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). Foods. 2021 Jan 5;10(1):95. doi: 10.3390/foods10010095. PMID: 33466429; PMCID: PMC7824844.
Camilleri E, Blundell R, Baral B, Karpinski TM, Aruci E, Atrooz OM. A brief overview of the medicinal and nutraceutical importance of Inonotus obliquus (chaga) mushrooms. Heliyon. 2024 Aug 6;10(15):e35638. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35638. PMID: 39170453; PMCID: PMC11336990.
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