Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Lowers Blood Pressure in Older Adults
- Authors
- Boyan Liu, Xue Jiang, Yunbo Xie, Xiubin Jia, Jiashuo Zhang, Yazhuo Xue, Shucun Qin
- Journal
- Frontiers in Pharmacology
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3389/fphar.2022.1025487
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Hypertension
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Breathing in a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases can lower blood pressure and stress-related hormones in middle-aged and older adults with high blood pressure.
Key Finding
Inhaling a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture (66% hydrogen/33% oxygen) for 4 hours daily over 2 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure by approximately 4-5 mmHg and lowered nighttime diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension, with larger effects seen in participants aged 60-70.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas could help lower blood pressure in adults aged 50-70 with high blood pressure. Sixty participants either inhaled the hydrogen-oxygen mixture or placebo air for 4 hours daily for 2 weeks. The hydrogen-oxygen group showed modest decreases in blood pressure measurements and lower levels of hormones that regulate blood pressure, while the placebo group showed no changes.
Practical Takeaway
This small, short-term human trial suggests hydrogen-oxygen inhalation may modestly support blood pressure management in older adults with hypertension, but the 2-week duration is very brief and results are modest. Anyone with hypertension should continue their prescribed medications and consult their doctor before trying any new intervention, as this single study is insufficient to establish hydrogen-oxygen therapy as an effective treatment.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the effect of a low-dose hydrogen–oxygen (H2-O2) mixture inhalation in midlife/older adults with hypertension.Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 60 participants with hypertension aged 50–70 years who were randomly divided into Air group (inhaled placebo air) or H2-O2 group [inhaled H2-O2 mixture (66% H2/33% O2)]. Participants in both groups were treated 4 h per day for 2 weeks. Four-limb blood pressure and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were monitored before and after the intervention, and levels of plasma hormones related to hypertension were determined.Results: A total of 56 patients completed the study (27 in the Air group and 29 in the H2-O2 group). The right and left arm systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly decreased in H2-O2 group compared with the baseline levels (151.9 ± 12.7 mmHg to 147.1 ± 12.0 mmHg, and 150.7 ± 13.3 mmHg to 145.7 ± 13.0 mmHg, respectively; all p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the H2-O2 intervention significantly decreased diastolic nighttime ambulatory blood pressure by 2.7 ± 6.5 mmHg (p < 0.05). All blood pressures were unaffected in placebo group (all p > 0.05). When stratified by age (aged 50–59 years versus aged 60–70 years), participants in the older H2-O2 group showed a larger reduction in right arm SBP compared with that in the younger group (p < 0.05). In addition, the angiotensin II, aldosterone, and cortisol levels as well as the aldosterone-to-renin ratio in plasma were significantly lower in H2-O2 group compared with baseline (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the Air group before and after the intervention.Conclusion: Inhalation of a low-dose H2-O2 mixture exerts a favorable effect on blood pressure, and reduces the plasma levels of hormones associated with hypertension on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and stress in midlife/older adults with hypertension.