Altering the Hydrogen Isotopic Composition of the Essential Nutrient Water as a Promising Tool for Therapy: Perspectives and Risks.

Water is a vital nutrient that is needed to maintain almost all biological processes in living organisms. The natural water contains two isotopes of hydrogen-protium and deuterium. Deuterium, the trace component of natural water, significantly changes its physical and chemical properties and biological action. In this review, the authors summarize data on the isotopic effects of deuterium and discuss the possible magnetic effects of isotopes and the molecular basis of the biological effects of deuterium-depleted water. The review also presents new data on the already known and potential use of deuterium-depleted water in medicine (oncology, neurology) and previously unknown new directions of its use (immunological and endocrine disorders, anemia). Based on the analysis of collected data, the authors presented mechanisms of action of deuterium-depleted water in the organism. The authors also identified the least-studied effects of deuterium-depleted water, particularly its influence on morphogenetic processes. The review discloses the perspectives on deuterium-depleted water as a tool for therapy and substantiates the risks of its uncontrolled intake.