Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Treating Multiple Diseases
- Authors
- Li-Ren Qian, Jianliang Shen, Xue-Jun Sun
- Journal
- Hydrogen Molecular Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-94-017-9691-0_6
- Study Type
- clinical
- Outcome
- positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Nervous System Disorders
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas might help treat lots of different diseases because it fights harmful stuff called oxidative stress that damages our cells. Over 400 studies show it could help with brain disorders, liver problems, diabetes, and cancer, which is pretty exciting for medicine.
Key Finding
Over 400 published studies suggest hydrogen gas may have therapeutic effects across multiple diseases through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective mechanisms.
Summary
This is a review article that summarizes over 400 scientific studies on hydrogen gas as a potential medical treatment. Researchers have found that hydrogen gas may work by reducing oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and reducing inflammation and cell death in various diseases including nervous system disorders, liver disease, and metabolic conditions. However, this article reviews existing research rather than reporting new experimental results.
Practical Takeaway
While this review indicates hydrogen has been studied for many conditions, it is a summary of existing research rather than a new clinical trial. Most studies cited were conducted in animals or laboratory settings. More rigorous human clinical trials with standardized protocols are needed before hydrogen can be considered an established medical treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Since 2007, hydrogen gas biology has become hotspot in medical research because of its selective antioxidant effects reported by Ohsawa et al. By the end of 2014, more than 400 papers have been published in related area, including organ ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetes, atherosclerosis…