Hydrogen Gas Protects Hearts from Damage in Multiple Medical Conditions
- Authors
- L.Y. Jia, J.G. Long, Jiankang Liu
- Journal
- Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.16476/j.pibb.2015.0032
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cardiac Injury
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas can protect your heart from damage in lots of different ways—like after a heart attack or during surgery—and it barely has any bad side effects, which makes it really exciting as a possible new medicine.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen appears to protect heart tissue from multiple types of injury through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective mechanisms, with minimal reported side effects.
Summary
This review examines how molecular hydrogen—a tiny gas molecule—may protect the heart from various types of damage, including damage from radiation, lack of blood flow, and heart transplants. Because hydrogen is so small, it can enter cells and even reach structures inside cells called mitochondria. Research suggests hydrogen works by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals, decreasing inflammation, and preventing cell death, though scientists say more studies are needed to fully understand how it works.
Practical Takeaway
While this review summarizes promising laboratory and animal research on hydrogen's potential cardiac benefits, it is not based on human clinical trials and does not provide evidence that hydrogen water or hydrogen therapy is effective for heart health in people. More rigorous human studies would be needed before drawing conclusions about its practical use.
Abstract (excerpt)
The biomedical effects of molecular hydrogen have aroused public and academic interest in recent years. Because of its high diffusivity and very small structure, hydrogen has the ability not only to cross the blood brain barrier, but also to infiltrate through the cytomembrane to the cytoplasm…