Hydrogen Water Reduces Chemo Pain by Improving Gut Health
- Authors
- Naqi Lian, Mengxi Shen, Kai Zhang, Jiacheng Pan, Yi Jiang, Yang Yu, Yonghao Yu
- Journal
- Journal of Pain Research
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.2147/JPR.S288289
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help reduce the nerve pain caused by a common cancer drug by changing gut bacteria and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Key Finding
In mice with chemotherapy-induced nerve pain, hydrogen-rich water reduced pain sensitivity and altered gut bacteria composition in ways that decreased inflammation and oxidative stress in nerve tissue.
Summary
Researchers gave mice with chemotherapy-induced nerve pain either regular water or hydrogen-rich water to see if hydrogen could help. Mice drinking hydrogen-rich water experienced less pain sensitivity and showed changes in their gut bacteria (the microorganisms living in the digestive system). The study also found that hydrogen-rich water reduced inflammatory markers and oxidative stress (harmful molecules) in nerve tissue and the spinal cord, possibly by affecting a specific pain signaling pathway.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen water may help with chemotherapy side effects by changing gut bacteria, but it has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any health claims could be made. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy should discuss any new treatments with their oncologist.
Abstract (excerpt)
Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) is one of the most common complications of chemotherapeutic drugs which limits the dose and duration of potentially life-saving anticancer treatment and compromises the quality of life of patients. Our previous studies have reported that…