Humic Acids

What is a humic acid?

Humic acids are organic compounds found in all soils.

Humates form when ancient algae, plants, vegetation and fruit trees break down over time, leaving us with a mineral-rich humic acid that has been shown to be very beneficial to human health.

Humic acid is located in humus, it is a brown, viscous liquid that has a high exchange capacity and is a good chelating agent. It is formed from the oxidation of plant matter and can be found in peat, coal, and lignite.

Chelator: Substance that has the ability to bind to minerals, heavy metals to be evacuated from our body.

In sum, humic acids are important because they help make soil nutrients available, instead of locking them into the soil. How ?

It all comes down to oxidation, which gives humic acids a negative charge. This allows positive ions, such as calcium and iron, to be attracted and bonded to them in what is called cation exchange capacity.

But, don't let the name fool you! Humic acid is not actually acidic, but rather very alkaline. This is important because the higher the pH, the more water soluble humic acid is and therefore more bioavailable to your body.

They are used both as a natural remedy for various health problems and as a way to increase crop yield. They have been used for centuries.

As dietary supplements, they come in a variety of forms, including capsules or tablets.

Why do we need humic acid?

Humic acid is packed with minerals that are essential for all aspects of your health. Your body needs minerals for bone development, heart health, eye health, digestive health, and even mental health. Minerals also work together with other vitamins and enzymes to carry out important chemical reactions in the body.

When something starts to break down in your body, it can almost always be associated with a mineral deficiency.

Why can't food provide us with all the minerals we need?

Ideally, we could get all of our minerals from plant foods grown in mineral-rich soil. Unfortunately, large-scale industrial agriculture uses soil-depleting methods and chemicals like fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides, which negatively impact soil pH.

A hundred years ago, farmers made it a priority to maintain soil fertility by using amendments, that is, conditioning the land to be healthy. They did this by putting rich compost back into the soil and practicing crop rotation to let their fields rest and regenerate between harvests.

When our food production system became industrialized, it was no longer economically possible for farmers to put nutrients back into the soil on such a large scale. (Although you can do this in your own home garden!)

As minerals decrease in the food supply, health problems inevitably increase. Many heart problems are associated with deficiencies in minerals such as chromium, copper, magnesium, selenium and potassium.

Fortunately, humic acid supplementation can help fill these gaps.

The benefits of humic acids

Humic acids have been used for centuries and they can be ingested orally or applied topically, providing a number of benefits to the human body. There are many products containing humic acids, such as skin care, food supplements, or detoxifying treatments.

Humic acids have been shown to act as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect cells. They also help prevent the aggregation of proteins, lipids or other molecules that can cause diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

They also have the ability to bind to heavy metals like lead and mercury to facilitate their elimination from the body.

Humic acid supplements are natural dietary supplements made from organic, plant-based materials. They are most often used to support the immune system and detoxification.

And it is thanks to their detoxifying properties that they are used in particular during detox cures as explained in our article on the benefits of intestinal cures .

Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, they also prevent certain inflammations.

Here is a summary of the beneficial effects of humic acids:

Prevents mineral deficiencies

A deficiency in a single mineral like magnesium is associated with dozens of conditions and can impact the thyroid, endocrine system, heart and bones. Humic acid is full of trace elements that help your body function properly.

Relieves the common cold

If you're feeling sick, humic acid might just be the remedy you need. A 1991 study found that regular doses of humic acid and fulvic acid could help relieve cold symptoms quickly and comfortably.

Improves digestion

They stimulate peristalsis (movement of the intestine) and therefore improve and facilitate digestion.

Detoxifies the body

Thanks to its binding capacities with heavy metals, humic acids will detoxify your body.

Optimize cancer treatment

Fulvic acid, which is a humus (or from the same family as humic acid), could be able to optimize cancer treatments. A 2016 study found that fulvic acid appears to kill cancer cells, especially when taken with nitric oxide.

Offers powerful electrolytes

Forget the coconut water. If you need an electrolyte boost, humic acid is the best thing you can do for your body. In fact, a scientific report states that "The concentration of acidic functional groups in fulvic acids is significantly higher than in any other naturally occurring organic polyelectrolyte."

Strengthens your immunity

Fulvic and humic acids have several immune-boosting properties, all of which help protect against viruses. A study on rats found that taking these acids "results in strong humoral immune stimulation." Another study went even further, finding that humic acids work together to stimulate the humoral and cellular branches of the immune system.

Cleanse problem skin

You can also use humic acid externally to help improve certain skin conditions. One study analyzed skin quality by dividing participants into different groups, each using different types of soap. After eight weeks, the group that used soap containing humic acid saw a significant improvement in the normal appearance of the skin.

Relieves pain

Patients using fulvic/humic acids for other health purposes have reported decreased pain as well as better sleep in several studies.

Helps athletes refuel

Although sweating has health benefits, active people who sweat a lot are at a higher risk of losing minerals from their bodies. Humic acid supplementation is a great way for athletes to replenish minerals, amino acids, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins.

Improves memory

Supplementing with humic acid could be particularly helpful for older people, especially when memory problems start to appear. A study found that humic acid may help inhibit memory problems in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, as well as improve other memory disorders.

How to choose a good quality supplement?

Supplements are a natural way to help your body get the minerals and nutrients it needs. These dietary supplements are made from humus, which is rich soil that contains many essential nutrients. In addition, Humicol , which we offer on our well-being store, contains more than 75 micronutrients.

The best quality of these supplements is determined by the ingredients included in them and the quality of their processing. Some of the things you should look for on the label are:

• Ingredients should be listed in order of quantity, with the most common ingredient listed first
• The product must not contain any artificial colors or flavors
• Prioritize organic products

There are many dietary supplements that contain humic acids. The quality of the product is important because it can affect the health of its user.

In summary, nature is well done. It offers us humic acids which, due to their properties, can naturally improve our health.