According to my textbook, the next result of the fusion reactions in the Sun is: 4H -> He + neutrinos + gamma photons
However, if hydrogen atoms are basically a proton and helium atoms are 2 protons and 2 neutrons, how can this reaction work? Neutrons have more mass than protons so you would be getting more mass and energy than you put in.
Similarly, how can 4 hydrogen atoms have more mass than 1 helium atom (according to the periodic table)?