Hydrogen Water Reduces Joint Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
- Authors
- Toru Ishibashi, Bunpei Sato, Mariko Rikitake, Tomoki Seo, Ryosuke Kurokawa, Yuichi Hara, Yuji Naritomi, Hiroshi Hara, Tetsuhiko Nagao
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1186/2045-9912-2-27
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
TL;DR
Drinking water with a high concentration of molecular hydrogen reduced signs of oxidative stress and improved symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Key Finding
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who drank high-concentration hydrogen water for 4 weeks showed a 14.3% reduction in a marker of cellular damage and significant improvement in disease activity scores, with the most dramatic response in early-stage patients.
Summary
This small study tested whether drinking water with high levels of molecular hydrogen (a gas) could help people with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease where the immune system attacks joints. Twenty patients drank hydrogen-enriched water for 4 weeks, then stopped for 4 weeks, then drank it again for 4 weeks. The researchers measured markers of cellular damage and disease severity and found both improved while patients were drinking the hydrogen water.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage pilot study suggests hydrogen water may reduce inflammation markers in rheumatoid arthritis, but the study was small (20 patients), had no control group, and was not blinded, which limits how much we can conclude. Larger, more rigorous studies would be needed before hydrogen water could be recommended as a treatment. Anyone with rheumatoid arthritis considering this should discuss it with their doctor, as it should only complement—not replace—conventional medical care.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of bone and cartilage. Although its etiology is unknown, the hydroxyl radical has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H2) was demonstrated…