Hydrogen Gas May Help Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Fixing Cell Energy
- Authors
- Shin-Ichi Hirano, Yusuke Ichikawa, Bunpei Sato, Yoshiyasu Takefuji, Fumitake Satoh
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3389/fneur.2022.841310
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
A special gas called molecular hydrogen might help people with chronic fatigue syndrome by fixing the broken energy-making parts inside their cells. Scientists reviewed studies showing it could reduce tiredness, but they need to do more testing in actual patients to make sure it really works.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen may help treat ME/CFS by reducing oxidative stress and improving how mitochondria function, though this conclusion is based on a review of existing studies rather than new clinical evidence.
Summary
This review examined whether molecular hydrogen (H2), a gas that may reduce harmful molecules called oxidative stress in cells, could help treat myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)—a condition causing long-term fatigue, weakness, and cognitive problems. The authors looked at existing animal studies and clinical trials and found that hydrogen gas may help by fixing problems in mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells), suggesting it could be worth studying further as a treatment for ME/CFS.
Practical Takeaway
While this review suggests hydrogen gas warrants further investigation for ME/CFS, it is not a summary of clinical trial results in patients—it is an analysis of existing research. Substantial clinical trials in ME/CFS patients are still needed before any conclusions about effectiveness can be drawn. Anyone interested in hydrogen therapy should consult their healthcare provider and await results from rigorous human studies.
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disorder that is characterized by fatigue that persists for more than 6 months, weakness, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction. There are multiple possible etiologies for ME/CFS, among which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in abnormal energy metabolism. The potential of many substances for the treatment of ME/CFS has been examined; however, satisfactory outcomes have not yet been achieved. The development of new substances for curative, not symptomatic, treatments is desired. Molecular hydrogen (H2) ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction by scavenging hydroxyl radicals, the most potent oxidant among reactive oxygen species. Animal experiments and clinical trials reported that H2 exerted ameliorative effects on acute and chronic fatigue. Therefore, we conducted a literature review on the mechanism by which H2 improves acute and chronic fatigue in animals and healthy people and showed that the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction by H2 may be involved in the ameliorative effects. Although further clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of H2 gas in ME/CFS, our literature review suggested that H2 gas may be an effective medical gas for the treatment of ME/CFS. Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); hydroxyl radicals; long COVID; mitochondrial dysfunction; molecular hydrogen; myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME); oxidative stress; post COVID.