Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
- Authors
- Jun-Li Xue, Guo-Hua Song, Shu-Cun Qin
- Journal
- Acta Physiologica Sinica
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.13294/j.aps.2018.0060
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas can help prevent and treat heart and brain diseases by reducing inflammation and damage in the body, which is important because heart and brain diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen demonstrates antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that may help prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, according to clinical trial evidence reviewed in this analysis.
Summary
This review article examined research on how molecular hydrogen (H2) might help prevent and treat heart and brain blood vessel diseases. Scientists found that hydrogen appears to work by reducing harmful oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), decreasing inflammation, and preventing cell death. The authors note that clinical trials have supported these effects, suggesting hydrogen could be a new treatment approach for these leading causes of death worldwide.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review article summarizing existing research rather than a new study with original data, so it cannot establish definitive conclusions on its own. While the review suggests hydrogen therapy shows promise for heart and brain blood vessel health based on clinical trials, the specific details of those trials (sample sizes, duration, delivery methods) are not provided here. Anyone considering hydrogen water should consult their healthcare provider, as more rigorous, large-scale clinical evidence is needed to establish its safety and effectiveness.
Abstract
For a long time, hydrogen (H2) has been considered as a physiological inert gas. However, recent studies have demonstrated that molecular H2 exerts significant therapeutic effects on various disease models due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic capabilities, which have also been well confirmed in many clinical trials. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) are the leading cause of death in the world, constituting a serious threat to human life and public health. In this paper, we reviewed the latest research progress of the biomedical effects of H2 in CCVDs and its possible molecular mechanisms, in the hope of providing new clues for the treatment of some CCVDs.