Hydrogen Therapy Improves Heart Function in Heart Failure Patients

Summary by Hydrogen Studies Editorial Team · Updated

Authors
Journal
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
Year
DOI
10.1007/s10517-022-05595-z
Study Type
Human
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Russia
Health Condition
Chronic Heart Failure
Body System
Cardiovascular

TL;DR

Breathing in molecular hydrogen gas can help reduce cell damage and improve energy production in the blood cells of people with chronic heart failure.

Key Finding

Inhaling molecular hydrogen gas reduced oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in red blood cells and increased their energy production and protective enzyme activity in people with chronic heart failure.

Summary

Researchers tested whether breathing hydrogen gas affects red blood cells in people with chronic heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively). They found that inhaling 2% hydrogen gas for 40 minutes increased energy production in red blood cells, reduced harmful molecules called free radicals, and boosted protective enzymes. These changes were stronger when people breathed hydrogen repeatedly over 5 days compared to a single session.

Practical Takeaway

This small human study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect red blood cells in heart failure patients, but the study did not report sample size or duration details, making it difficult to assess the strength of the findings. Larger, well-designed clinical trials would be needed to confirm whether these cellular improvements translate to meaningful health benefits for heart failure patients.

Abstract (excerpt)

We studied the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) on the content of 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG), ATP, malondialdehyde, and catalase activity in erythrocytes in chronic heart failure. Inhalation of 2% molecular hydrogen H2 was carried out for 40 min repeatedly (5 days) or once. Inhalation…

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