Humic acid, one of two classes of natural acidic organic polymer that can be extracted from humus found in soil, sediment, or aquatic environments. The process by which humic acid forms in humus is not well understood, but the consensus is that it accumulates gradually as a residue from the metabolism of microorganisms. Its structure is unlike that of proteins or carbohydrates, the two most common organic polymers found in biological material; instead, humic acid can be characterized as a loose assembly of aromatic polymers of varying acidity and reactivity.
Humic acid has the average chemical formula C187H186O89N9S1 and is insoluble in strong acid (pH = 1). A 1:1 hydrogen-to-carbon ratio indicates a significant degree of aromatic character (i.e., the presence of benzene rings in the structure), whereas a low oxygen-to-carbon ratio indicates fewer acidic functional groups than occur in fulvic acid, the other acidic organic polymer that can be extracted from humus. Transition and heavy metals—for example, Fe3+ or Pb2+—as well as other compounds having aromatic or hydrophobic (water-insoluble) chemical structures (i.e., organic pesticides or anthropogenic hydrocarbons), react strongly with humic acid. This property makes it an effective agent in sequestering many of the pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
The Benefits of Humic Acid
Humic acid, a natural ionic molecule, is rapidly being recognized as one of the key elements in many scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century. It is one of the most crucial factors in the reversal and prevention of disease, as well as the maintenance of good health. Nature made humic acid abundantly obtainable, but like many things, man has interfered with this vital process and it is no longer available in adequate quantities in the foods we eat. You must provide your body with this essential element through supplementation.
What does humic acid do in the body?
The humic acid molecule prepares nutrients to inter-react with each other. When humic acid is present in the body, nutrients are dissolved into the simplest ionic form and disappear into the humic acid structure. Most of the benefits we receive from nutrients occur are due to their co-factor reactions with each other. Humic acid offers tremendous benefits because it enhances these reactions.Humic acid makes all nutrients more absorbable.
Humic acid makes vitamins and elemental minerals (metallic and clay based minerals) more absorbable by complexing them (refines, purifies, combines and re-refines) into organic, ionic forms that are easily transported into and through cell membranes. Once the nutrients are dissolved and complexed by the humic acid electrolyte, they become bio-chemically reactive, bio-available, mobile, and readily absorbable. In a nutshell, this means you get greater benefit from all your nutrients, whatever the source, when humic acid is present.Humic acid transports nutrients right into the cells.
It can often transport many times its weight in dissolved nutrients and elements. Humic acid is so powerful that one single humic acid molecule is capable of carrying 70 or more minerals and trace elements into the cells.
Humic acid makes cell membranes more permeable.
It makes cell membranes more permeable, so nutrients can more easily enter the cell, as well as allowing waste to leave the cells more readily. One of the strongest advantages of humic acid minerals is that absorption greatly exceeds traditional tablet supplements. As with any nutrient or supplement, the only way your body can benefit, is if it is absorbed. Humic acid enhances this process.
Humic acid increases absorption of oxygen and decreases acidity.
It quickly destroys acid in the body fluids which helps increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.A lack of blood oxygen is a major contributing factor for acidity. Excess body acidity is associated with virtually all degenerative diseases; including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney stones, tooth decay, sleep disturbances, depressive disorders, and more.
Humic acid changes the pattern of metabolism of carbohydrates.
It also intensifies the metabolism of proteins, and has been shown to stimulate the immune system.
