Silicon Pills Generate Hydrogen Gas in Body for Antioxidant Benefits
- Authors
- Hennie Marie Johnsen, Werner Filtvedt, Marianne Hiorth, Jo Klaveness
- Journal
- International Journal of Pharmaceutics
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122371
- Study Type
- Molecular Assay
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Norway
- Health Condition
- Oxidative Stress
- Body System
- Whole Body
TL;DR
Scientists have developed a new method using silicon particles to safely and effectively produce hydrogen gas inside the body, which could have medical benefits.
Key Finding
Silicon nanoparticles produced hydrogen gas at high efficiency (up to 82% yield) when exposed to water at body temperature and pH, and maintained this ability even after exposure to simulated stomach acid.
Summary
Researchers developed tiny silicon particles that can be swallowed and generate hydrogen gas inside the body. These particles were designed to overcome problems with giving hydrogen gas directly—it doesn't dissolve well in water and can catch fire. In lab tests, the silicon particles produced hydrogen efficiently even when exposed to stomach acid, suggesting they could work as a safe way to deliver hydrogen to the body.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage laboratory research showing that silicon particles could theoretically deliver hydrogen gas orally, but no human studies have been conducted yet. The work addresses a real technical challenge in hydrogen delivery, though it remains unclear whether the hydrogen produced this way would actually provide health benefits. Much more research, including animal and human trials, would be needed before this approach could be considered for medical use.
Abstract (excerpt)
Medical use of hydrogen gas (H2) has been given increasing attention over the past 15 years with numerous clinical trials for a variety of indications. The biological activity of H2 includes antioxidant properties and thereby the ability to neutralize damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS)…