Hydrogen Coral Calcium Safely Lowers Triglycerides in Metabolic Syndrome
- Authors
- Szu-Han Chiu, Frank L. Douglas, Jia-Ru Chung, Kuang-Yih Wang, Chao-Fang Chu, Hsia-Yun Chou, Wei-Chih Huang, Tian-Yu Wang, Wen-Wen Chen, Min-Chung Shen, Liu Feng-Cheng, Po-Jen Hsiao
- Journal
- Frontiers in Nutrition
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3389/fnut.2023.1198524
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Taiwan
- Health Condition
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
A study found that taking hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) capsules can safely lower triglyceride levels in people with metabolic syndrome.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich coral calcium capsules were safe and well-tolerated in patients with metabolic syndrome, with triglyceride levels dropping significantly after 4 weeks of treatment.
Summary
This small study tested hydrogen-rich coral calcium capsules in 16 patients with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol) over 4 weeks. The capsules were safe with no serious side effects, and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) decreased significantly, dropping from an average of 193 to 152 units. However, other cholesterol measures and quality of life did not show significant changes in this short study.
Practical Takeaway
This early human study suggests hydrogen-rich coral calcium may help lower triglycerides in people with metabolic syndrome, but the study was very small (16 people) and lasted only 4 weeks. Much longer and larger studies are needed before we can know whether this product would be genuinely useful for managing metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular health.
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster-like occurrence of conditions such as hypertension, hyperglycaemia, elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or triglycerides (TG) and high visceral fat. Metabolic syndrome is linked to the build-up of plaque within the artery, which leads to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. A variety of treatments target the regulation of these conditions; nevertheless, they remain dominant risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affect 26.9% of the US population. Management and intervention strategies for improving cholesterol and/or TG are worthwhile, and recent studies on hydrogen treatment are promising, particularly as molecular hydrogen is easily ingested. This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and quality of life (QOL) improvement of hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: The patients, all Taiwanese, were randomly assigned to 3 different doses (low, medium, and high) of HRCC capsules. The primary outcome was the adverse effects/symptoms during this 4-week use of HRCC capsules. The secondary outcome was lipid profile changes. Complete blood count, inflammatory biomarkers, and QOL were also measured before and after the course of HRCC. Results: Sixteen patients with metabolic syndrome completed this study (7 males, 9 females; mean age: 62 years; range: 32-80). No obvious adverse effects were recorded. Only changes in blood TG reached significance. The baseline TG value was 193.19 μL (SD = 107.44), which decreased to 151.75 μL (SD = 45.27) after 4 weeks of HRCC (p = 0.04). QOL showed no significant changes. Conclusion: This study is the first human clinical trial evaluating HRCC capsules in patients with metabolic syndrome. Based on the safety and potential TG-lowering effects of short-term HRCC, further long-term investigations of HRCC are warranted. Clinical trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05196295].