By Dr. Shellie L. Rosen, PhD, DOM, L.Ac.
The body is like a garden, with many factors maintaining balance for renewal and survival. Healthy garden soil contains dark humus made of humin, which helps hold water; humic acid, which balances soil acidity and limits nitrate loss; and fumic acid, which delivers nutrients while removing toxins. These molecular compounds in garden soil play similar roles in the human body, supporting nutrient delivery and detoxification.
When soil is in harmony, food has abundant bioavailable nutrients. However, soil degradation and chemicals can deplete food of nutrients and carry harmful toxins. Agricultural humic and fulvic acids can help re-establish balance within the garden, and food-grade forms can significantly benefit the body.
Food grade humic and fulvic acids work well together in the body. Fulvic is a small flavonoid molecule that can transport nutrients into cells and draw out biowaste toxins, such as glyphosate/weed killer. Humic is larger than the fluvic molecule (too large to enter a cell). Humic molecules work inside the bloodstream, binding, or “chelating” (bonding ions and molecules to metal ions) heavy metals, free radicals, and waste products for transport out of the body. Fulvic acids are beneficial in delivering nutrients to cells for energy production and play essential roles in detoxification. Humic acids work on harsh toxins that do not break down in the body, such as glyphosate, a weed killer found in most conventional foods. Humic acid works explicitly on breaking down and binding glyphosate for removal from the body.
The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a study in 2011, finding that fulvic acid may protect against cognitive impairments, perhaps due to an ability to deliver nutrition and detoxify cells as an antioxidant. Vitamins such as A, C, and E are antioxidants that help protect the body, including DNA, from damage. Fulvic acid is a powerful antioxidant that restores nutrients and energy to cells. It is commonly taken with coenzyme Q10 to enhance cellular energy. Humic and fulvic acids aid mineral and nutrient depletion, which benefits gut health, immunity, cognition, energy, inflammation, muscle pain, and cramping, along with skin conditions.
Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines traditionally utilized fulvic and humic acids. Ayurveda uses “shilajit,” a sticky black substance on mountain rocks resulting from the breakdown and decomposition of organic matter. Shilajit is used to treat digestion, immunity, and skin conditions. The use of mud, or peat, in bathing (balneotherapy) dates back to 15th century China for detoxifying adipose tissue near the skin’s surface.
Fulvic and humic acids exist in soil, streams, and lakes. Organic, deep-rooted veggies grown in high-quality soil may produce high humin content. The best chance of finding humic and fluvic acid in food products is from blackstrap molasses, seaweed, algae, or foraging for stinging nettle and wild greens.
To supplement, seek a high-quality food-grade source of fulvic and humic acids from a reliable retailer. Bottled water labeled “fulvic enriched” likely contains negligible amounts. Fulvic acid will react with chemicals (such as chlorine in tap water), so do not mix with alcohol or medicine.
Humic and fluvic acids can shift the transportation of substances within the body, so take them 30 minutes away from other medications.
The mystery of how humic and fulvic acids work continues to unfold. Their composition varies depending on the location. Get outside any chance you have to enjoy the fresh air, lakes, streams, mud baths, and garden soil for your daily exposure to various compositions of naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids.
Abundant Blessings! Shellie Rosen, Ph.D., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®, DOM, L.Ac.
