Hydrogen Shows Promise for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
- Authors
- Gerwyn Morris, Basant K. Puri, Adam J. Walker, Michael Maes, Andre F. Carvalho, Ken Walder, Catherine Mazza, Michael Berk
- Journal
- Pharmacological Research
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104450
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Australia
- Health Condition
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Scientists found that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by multiple problems happening in the body at the same time—like inflammation, damaged energy-producing parts of cells, and a leaky gut—and they discovered some promising natural supplements that might help fix these problems, though they need more testing to be sure.
Key Finding
ME/CFS involves multiple pathophysiological abnormalities including pro-inflammatory states, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut barrier disruption, with molecular hydrogen among several compounds showing preliminary promise as potential therapeutic targets.
Summary
This review examines myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition with few effective treatments. The authors identified multiple underlying problems in people with ME/CFS, including inflammation, cellular stress, gut barrier damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction (the energy-producing parts of cells). They reviewed evidence for several potential treatments targeting these problems, including molecular hydrogen, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, curcumin, and N-acetylcysteine, finding the early results promising but still preliminary.
Practical Takeaway
While this review identifies molecular hydrogen as a candidate therapy for ME/CFS, the evidence discussed is preliminary and mostly from laboratory or animal studies, not human trials. Anyone with ME/CFS considering hydrogen water or other experimental treatments should consult their healthcare provider, as more rigorous clinical research is needed to establish safety and effectiveness.
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common and disabling condition with a paucity of effective and evidence-based therapies, reflecting a major unmet need. Cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise are of modest benefit for only some ME/CFS patients, and many sufferers report aggravation of symptoms of fatigue with exercise. The presence of a multiplicity of pathophysiological abnormalities in at least the subgroup of people with ME/CFS diagnosed with the current international consensus 'Fukuda' criteria, points to numerous potential therapeutic targets. Such abnormalities include extensive data showing that at least a subgroup has a pro-inflammatory state, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, disruption of gut mucosal barriers and mitochondrial dysfunction together with dysregulated bioenergetics. In this paper, these pathways are summarised, and data regarding promising therapeutic options that target these pathways are highlighted; they include coenzyme Q10, melatonin, curcumin, molecular hydrogen and N-acetylcysteine. These data are promising yet preliminary, suggesting hopeful avenues to address this major unmet burden of illness.