The Deuterium Problem: Why Seed Oils, Powders, and Out-of-Season Foods Might Be Draining Your Energy

What If the Problem Isn't Just Processed Food... But Heavy Hydrogen?

Seed oils, synthetic supplements, protein powders—they’re all getting a bad rap lately. And for good reason. But there’s a less obvious, more foundational reason why they might be problematic. And it has less to do with ingredients... and more to do with hydrogen.

Specifically, deuterium—a heavy form of hydrogen that, when too concentrated in the body, can gum up the very machinery that makes you feel alive: your mitochondria.

In this blog, we’ll explore what deuterium is, why animals migrate because of it, why our ability to process it depends on sunlight (especially UV light), and how it connects to the rise in chronic fatigue, metabolic issues, and mitochondrial dysfunction—particularly for those of us living far from the equator.

We’ll also explore why seed oils, protein powders, and even your favorite health supplements might be doing more harm than good through this lens.

And don’t worry—it’s not all scary. We’ll close with a hopeful and practical truth: when you eat local, seasonal, and minimally processed foods, you naturally sidestep most of these issues.

What Is Deuterium?

Deuterium is one of the two stable isotopes of hydrogen. The difference? It has one neutron, while regular hydrogen (protium) has none. That one neutron might not seem like a big deal, but it doubles the weight of the hydrogen atom.

This heavy hydrogen behaves just like normal hydrogen in most chemical reactions, but in biological systems—especially in the mitochondria—it acts like a wrench in the gears.

It’s harder to move. It slows things down. It breaks molecular structures that are designed to run on the lighter, faster version. And it disrupts ATP production—your cell’s energy currency.

Deuterium’s Role in Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Your mitochondria make energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Part of that process involves protons (hydrogen ions) moving through the ATP synthase rotor—a kind of molecular turbine. When regular hydrogen flows through, everything hums along. But deuterium is heavier, stickier, and gets stuck in that turbine.

This not only reduces ATP production, it can actually damage the turbine itself over time, leading to downstream effects like:

• Chronic fatigue

• Poor wound healing

• Brain fog

• Hormonal imbalances

• Slower metabolism

• Skin issues

Sound familiar? These aren’t just "aging problems." They’re signs of mitochondrial slowdown—and high deuterium might be playing a role.

Deuterium in Nature: Why Animals Move With the Seasons

One of the ways scientists track animal migration is through stable isotope analysis—specifically, by measuring the deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H) ratio in animal tissues like feathers, fur, or fat.

The D/H ratio of precipitation varies depending on geography and season. Generally:

• High-deuterium rain falls closer to the equator.

• Low-deuterium rain falls at higher elevations and latitudes.

Plants absorb that water. Herbivores eat those plants. Carnivores eat those herbivores. So an animal’s tissues will reflect the deuterium signature of the land it’s been living on.

When the deuterium level in the local grasses shifts, ruminant animals like bison and elk often migrate. Why? Because their biology is tuned to stay within a deuterium range they can handle—ensuring optimal mitochondrial function and seasonal repair.

Humans used to do this too. We followed food. We adapted to the light and water cycles of the land. Now? We eat bananas in the dead of winter and protein bars made in another hemisphere.

Why Deuterium Processing Depends on Sunlight

Our bodies can manage deuterium—but it’s energy-intensive. And the process is strongly tied to light exposure, particularly UV and infrared light from the sun.

Sunlight helps in two ways:

1. Infrared light (especially from sunrise and sunset) charges water in your cells and improves exclusion zone (EZ) water formation—part of how your body structures water and separates deuterium.

2. UVB light boosts mitochondrial function and supports vitamin D and sulfation pathways, which are part of your natural deuterium filtering system.

This is why:

• Equatorial regions, with year-round UV and IR light, can support higher-deuterium foods.

• Northern latitudes, with long dark winters, can’t. Your UV exposure might be close to zero for months.

So if you live in Canada and eat a tropical-fruit-heavy, processed supplement-based diet in February, your mitochondria are doing way more work than they should be.

Why Seed Oils Are Especially Problematic

Seed oils aren’t just industrially processed. They’re PUFA-rich, which means:

• They have long, floppy fatty acid tails that are vulnerable to oxidation.

• They hold onto deuterium more tightly than saturated fats like tallow.

• They embed into your cell membranes and are hard to remove once they’re in.

PUFAs are like sponges for deuterium. Once they become part of your mitochondrial membranes, they compromise energy production—and recovery gets harder.

Even if you stop eating them today, the damage lingers. It can take years to clear these high-deuterium fats from your tissues.

Protein Powders and Synthetic Supplements: High-Deuterium Hidden Sources

Most protein powders and supplements:

• Are made from ingredients grown far from your local light/water cycles

• Are highly processed using high-heat, high-pressure methods

• Use deuterium-rich water during manufacturing

• Are stabilized with seed oils or synthetic preservatives

In other words: they’re deuterium bombs, especially if you live in a place where your ability to offload that burden is already compromised.

This includes many so-called “clean” or “natural” supplements. If it’s grown under artificial light, hydroponically, or stabilized for shelf life, it’s probably not helping your mitochondrial function—even if the ingredient list sounds good.

The Practical Fix: Eat Local, Seasonal, and Low-Deuterium by Design

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a deuterium depletion protocol or a bunch of lab testing to protect your mitochondria.

Your biology is ancient. And it’s already built to thrive—when you align it with the light, water, and food of your environment.

Simple Rules That Make a Big Difference:

• Eat seasonally: What grows in your region now is what your body is best able to handle.

• Choose local animal fats over industrial oils: Tallow, butter, and lard from local ruminants are naturally lower in deuterium and more stable.

• Skip off-season tropical fruits, smoothies, and powders in winter: These are metabolically confusing at best—and inflammatory at worst.

• Prioritize sun exposure: Especially sunrise and sunset. This isn’t just for circadian rhythm—it’s how you help your body process hydrogen correctly.

• Avoid synthetic supplements unless you have a specific, tested need. Even then, opt for whole food or glandular-based forms where possible.

Reframing the Fear: It's Not About Perfection, It's About Pattern

Yes, deuterium is a serious factor. Yes, processed foods and modern lifestyles make it worse. But stressing about every bite doesn’t help either.

Instead, look at the pattern:

• Am I eating foods my body expects this time of year?

• Am I getting daily light that matches the food I’m consuming?

• Am I giving my mitochondria what they need—or overwhelming them?

When you zoom out like this, the path forward is clear—and incredibly grounding. Eat real food. Live in rhythm with your light environment. Choose simplicity over supplements.

That’s what your biology is built for.

References

PubMed IDs:

• PMID: 18494537 – Deuterium’s role in mitochondrial biology

• PMID: 11327617 – Seed oil metabolism and inflammation

• PMID: 22127057 – PUFA incorporation and cell membrane dynamics

• PMID: 32977655 – The impact of mitochondrial membrane composition on energy output

Dr. Jack Kruse Blog References:

• The Deuterium Bullet

• Light Water Magnetism 4: Skin in the Game

• Quantum Thermodynamics 5: Transmutation Theory

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, or lifestyle practices—especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Want to go deeper on this? Check out our blog archive for more on circadian nutrition, skincare, light exposure, and mitochondrial health.