Hydrogen Therapy Improves Kidney Function and Reduces Fatigue in 89-Year-Old

Authors
Journal
In Vivo
Year
DOI
10.21873/invivo.13862
Study Type
Human
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Taiwan
Health Condition
Chronic Kidney Disease
Body System
Renal

TL;DR

An elderly woman with several chronic illnesses experienced better kidney function and less fatigue after taking hydrogen capsules, hinting at the treatment's potential benefits for similar patients.

Key Finding

In this single elderly patient, molecular hydrogen supplementation was associated with improved kidney function and reduced chronic fatigue, though this is a case report describing only one person's experience.

Summary

This case report describes an 89-year-old woman with multiple serious health conditions (heart disease, diabetes with kidney damage, and lupus) who was given molecular hydrogen capsules as an additional treatment. After starting hydrogen therapy, her kidney function appeared to improve based on blood tests, and her chronic fatigue decreased significantly. The doctors suggest that hydrogen may work by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in the body.

Practical Takeaway

While this case report suggests hydrogen therapy may have helped one elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions, it describes only a single case without a comparison group or controlled conditions. Much larger and more rigorous studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn about whether hydrogen water or capsules would benefit people with kidney disease or fatigue. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy should consult their doctor first, especially if taking medications for kidney disease or other chronic conditions.

Abstract

Background/aim: Hydrogen therapy has demonstrated potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory intervention, particularly in the management of chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and autoimmune conditions. This case report presents the possible therapeutic benefits of molecular hydrogen capsule treatment in enhancing renal function and alleviating chronic fatigue in an elderly female with coronary artery disease (CAD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) complicated by nephropathy, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adjunctive hydrogen therapy in an elderly patient with multiple chronic comorbidities. Case report: An 89-year-old female with a history of CAD s/p who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over 40 years ago, type 2 DM complicated by nephropathy, and SLE was admitted with recurrent cellulitis at the saphenous vein donor site from her previous CABG. Despite antibiotic treatment, wound healing remained limited. In January 2023, the patient initiated adjuvant treatment with molecular hydrogen capsules. Following the introduction of hydrogen therapy, her renal function improved, evidenced by a reduction in serum creatinine levels. Chronic fatigue, assessed using the Taiwan Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-T), showed significant improvement. Immunological evaluation revealed a series of changes, suggesting that immune modulation may be the mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefits. Conclusion: Hydrogen therapy was associated with improved renal function and a reduced chronic fatigue in this elderly patient with multiple comorbidities, including CAD, DM, and SLE. The case underscores the potential therapeutic role of hydrogen therapy in immune modulation and the management of chronic conditions, suggesting the need for further investigation in clinical settings.