Hydrogen Water Improves Breathing in Chronic Lung Disease Patients
- Authors
- Ram B. Singh, Alex Tarnava, Ghizal Fatima, Jan Fedacko, Viliam Mojto, Tyler W. LeBaron
- Journal
- Diseases
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3390/diseases11040127
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- India
- Health Condition
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water might help improve the amount of oxygen in the blood of people with chronic lung diseases.
Key Finding
Patients with chronic lung disease who received hydrogen-rich water for 4 weeks showed improved blood oxygen saturation and reduced markers of oxidative stress compared to their baseline levels.
Summary
This small pilot study gave 10 patients with chronic lung diseases (mostly COPD) hydrogen-rich water for 4 weeks to see if it could improve their oxygen levels in the blood. The patients showed increases in blood oxygen saturation and decreases in markers of oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), and those who also did physical training reported better exercise tolerance. However, this was a very small study without a control group, so the results are preliminary.
Practical Takeaway
While this early-stage study suggests hydrogen water may help reduce oxidative stress in people with chronic lung disease, the very small sample size (10 patients) and lack of a comparison group mean these findings are preliminary. Much larger and more rigorous studies would be needed before hydrogen water could be recommended as a treatment for lung disease. Anyone with chronic lung disease should consult their doctor before trying hydrogen water or changing their treatment plan.
Abstract
Background: Recently, chronic lung diseases have been found to be associated with marked inflammation and oxidative stress, which leads to fibrosis in the lungs and chronic respiratory failure. This study aims to determine if hydrogen-rich water (HRW) can enhance oxygen saturation among patients with chronic lung diseases. Methods: Ten patients with chronic lung diseases due to COPD (n = 7), bronchial asthma (n = 2), and tuberculosis of the lung (n = 1) with oxygen saturation of 90-95% were provided high-concentration (>5 mM) HRW using H2-producing tablets for 4 weeks. Oxygen saturation was measured via oximeter and blood pressure via digital automatic BP recorder. Results: HRW administration was associated with a significant increase in oxygen saturation (SpO2) and decrease in TBARS, MDA, and diene conjugates, with an increase in vitamin E and nitrite levels, compared to baseline levels. Physical training carried out after HRW therapy appeared to increase exercise tolerance and decrease hypoxia, as well as delay the need for oxygen therapy. Conclusion: Treatment with HRW in patients with hypoxia from chronic lung diseases may decrease oxidative stress and improve oxygen saturation in some patients. HRW therapy may also provide increased exercise tolerance in patients with chronic hypoxia, but further research is needed. Keywords: COPD; COVD-19; antioxidant; hydrogen-rich water; hypoxia; inflammation; oxidative stress.