Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Cancer Treatment Side Effects
- Authors
- Dong Yue Du, Yun Hua Peng, Jian Kang Liu, Jian Gang Long
- Journal
- Journal of Nutritional Oncology
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.34175/jno201903001
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Scientists found that a gas called molecular hydrogen might help cancer patients by reducing the nasty side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, slowing down cancer growth, and making regular cancer treatments work even better.
Key Finding
Research suggests molecular hydrogen may reduce side effects from cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, potentially slow cancer progression, and enhance the effectiveness of conventional therapies when used together.
Summary
This review article examines research on molecular hydrogen—a simple gas that acts as an antioxidant (a substance that reduces harmful chemical reactions in the body)—as a potential treatment for cancer. The authors summarize studies showing that hydrogen may help reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, slow cancer growth, and work better when combined with standard cancer treatments.
Practical Takeaway
While early research indicates hydrogen may have promise as a complementary approach in cancer care, this is a review of existing studies rather than new clinical evidence. Most research to date has been in laboratory or animal studies. Anyone with cancer should discuss any hydrogen-based approaches with their oncologist before use, as more rigorous human clinical trials are needed to establish safety and effectiveness.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen is an effective antioxidant. Numerous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of hydrogen in the treatment of various human diseases. The possibility of using hydrogen in the treatment of cancer was first discovered in 1975, and in recent studies, researchers have reported numerous positive effects of hydrogen in cancer therapy, including: 1) the alleviation of complications caused by chemotherapy; 2) a reduction of complications caused by radiotherapy; 3) delays in the progression of cancer; and 4) enhanced efficacy of conventional therapy when used in combination with hydrogen. This article reviews the research progress in the use of hydrogen in the treatment of cancer, and proposes future directions for research in this field.