Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Improves Fatty Liver Disease in Clinical Trial

TL;DR

Breathing in a mix of hydrogen and oxygen gas can help improve liver health in people with a common liver disease linked to obesity and diabetes, possibly by helping liver cells clean up and recycle their own parts.

Key Finding

Hydrogen/oxygen inhalation improved blood lipid levels, liver enzymes, and liver fat content in patients with moderate-severe NAFLD, with the greatest improvements seen in those with more advanced disease.

Summary

This study tested whether breathing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas could help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat builds up in the liver. Forty-three people either received hydrogen/oxygen inhalation or a placebo (fake treatment) for 13 weeks. The researchers found that people who breathed the hydrogen/oxygen mixture showed improvements in blood fat levels, liver enzyme levels, and the amount of fat in their livers on imaging scans, particularly those with moderate to severe disease. The study also included animal experiments suggesting the benefit may work by activating a cellular cleaning process called autophagy.

Practical Takeaway

This early-stage human trial suggests hydrogen/oxygen inhalation may help reduce liver fat in people with NAFLD, particularly those with moderate-severe disease. However, the study was small (43 people) and the full results are not yet published, so more research in larger groups is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Anyone with NAFLD should discuss any new treatment with their doctor before trying it.

Abstract (excerpt)

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide with increasing incidence consistent with obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. No approved medication was currently available for NAFLD treatment. Molecular hydrogen (H2)…

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