Hydrogen is the smallest and lightest atom in nature. It is one of the gases we breathe and is one of the three main constituents of our body.
Until a decade and a half ago, it was considered an ‘inert’ gas, i.e. one that had no health benefits. In 2007, Nature magazine published the first scientific paper identifying molecular hydrogen (H2) as a ‘therapeutic agent’. Since then, research into its health benefits has increased exponentially. Today, after thousands of scientific publications, molecular hydrogen is considered an innovative therapy.
It is in the cells that the phenomena of health and its imbalances (diseases) are felt. All these imbalances are the result of dysregulations in a group or system of cells. And molecular hydrogen penetrates easily and directly into cells, entering their nucleus and mitochondria (energy centres).
So is molecular hydrogen the secret to a healthier, more balanced life?
What is Molecular Hydrogen?
Molecular hydrogen is in the gaseous state. It is a molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms – it is the smallest of the molecules that exist in nature. Although hydrogen is one of the three main constituents of living matter, in its gaseous form, as H2 (molecular hydrogen), it only exists in tiny concentrations in the air we breathe.
When it comes into contact with our bodies, whether through hydrogenated water, gas nebulisers, ampoules, creams or oils enriched with H2, because it is such a small molecule, it penetrates freely into all cells and all cell organelles, i.e. the tiny ‘organs’ of cells. Thus, by penetrating all cellular structures, it has a generalised effect on all cellular functions.
Life, at a cellular level, is made up of thousands of processes in which a multitude of substances are produced, transformed and degraded, one of the end results being the accumulation of waste.
Free radicals (molecules with an unstable electrical charge), also known as ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), are one of the main detritus of our cellular metabolism and are one of the most toxic when produced in excess, constituting what is known as oxidative stress.
This is at the root and chronicity of most diseases, along with inflammation. Inflammation is a natural immunological mechanism attempting to regulate the body, however, when inflammatory processes are perpetuated and stagnate, the sites where they occur begin to show symptoms.
Two of the main functions of molecular hydrogen (H2) are precisely its effective action in combating oxidative stress (anti-oxidant action) and inflammation (anti-inflammatory action). This makes it a privileged agent for supporting the regulation of cellular functions, i.e. cellular health.
Health Benefits of Molecular Hydrogen
Knowing that oxidative stress and long-term inflammation are at the root of all chronic diseases, then any substance that can combat them will minimise and eventually help reverse all chronic pathologies – this is the profile of molecular hydrogen. However, molecular hydrogen has many more actions at a cellular level, so it has numerous health benefits.
Studies on molecular hydrogen have shown that its main actions are:
- anti-oxidant,
- anti-inflammatory,
- anti-allergic,
- stimulates energy metabolism (prevents a decrease in energy production by cells),
- regulation of gene transcription,
- modulator of cell death (very important in cancer).
- signalling dozens of cellular processes – immunological, cellular repair, accelerated recovery from various injuries – surgical, traumatic, radiotherapy, chemotherapy; recovery from neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular, cancer, and slowing down the ageing process (anti-aging action).
Free radicals have several positive actions, such as fighting infections. Molecular hydrogen is not only the easiest antioxidant to penetrate at a cellular level because it is so small, but it also has a selective antioxidant action, i.e. it only fights free radicals that are harmful – this is an exceptional characteristic, being the only antioxidant with these characteristics. Also noteworthy is its easy diffusion into all tissues, which allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier, i.e. defend the brain and the entire central nervous system from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Molecular hydrogen is therefore a facilitator and signalling agent for countless cellular processes, is an optimiser of cellular functions, a regulator of health and life processes. H2 behaves like an intelligent molecule, assisting in all processes that could benefit from their ‘assistance’.
Therefore, its therapeutic action has been demonstrated in all the diseases studied to date: rheumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, psychological and intellectual disorders (namely anxiety, depression and mental fatigue), among others.
Also in a healthy body, it provides benefits such as: increased vitality, clarity and mental health, for example, and support for sports performance (particularly by reducing fatigue and post-workout recovery time).
There are already tens of thousands of scientific publications, the result of scientific research, demonstrating its many proven, evidence-based health benefits, both as a preventative and therapeutic agent.
Therapeutic Applications of Molecular Hydrogen
Molecular hydrogen is useful and therapeutic in any way it comes into contact with our bodies, whether through: inhaling hydrogen in low concentrations; ingesting hydrogenated water (hydrogen-enriched water); applying it to the skin (hydrogen-enriched creams or oils); applying it to the eyes (hydrogen-enriched eye drops); or applying it directly and specifically in hospital settings (hydrogen-enriched saline solution, applied by injection).
Thus, its therapeutic applications are numerous, although some are very specific, such as those in hospital settings (particularly serious infections and trauma, surgeries, transplants, etc).
Molecular hydrogen gas is inhaled in low concentrations through cannulas placed in the nose and connected to equipment that produces it. This inhalation is an excellent way of regenerating cells, and therefore, in addition to the benefits of improving any chronic illnesses, it increases vitality and cognitive performance: greater mental clarity, more ability to concentrate, greater intellectual performance.
The application of H2 to the skin, in the form of creams or oils, improves skin health and is indicated both for skin rejuvenation and to speed up healing processes after surgery and burns, as well as for dermatitis.
Drinking hydrogenated water has the properties mentioned above: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, regulation of gene transcription, increased energy production by cells and regulation of the lifespan of each type of cell, among others.
Hydrogenated water is water enriched with hydrogen gas in its most common molecular form, i.e. H2. It is produced by means of a water hydrogenator, which is a device fitted with filters to purify the water and a molecular hydrogen production system that ejects H2 into the purified water.
As the molecule of this gas is tiny, when we drink hydrogenated water, the gas passes through the mucosa (the inner lining membrane) of the digestive tract directly into the blood and from there it reaches every cell almost instantaneously, which is extraordinary.
In addition to the numerous clinical advantages of its use, it is very important to note that hydrogenated water, being the most widely used and accessible route, is 100 per cent safe and therefore has no negative side effects. Therefore, drinking hydrogenated water is a recommended preventive and therapeutic measure for our daily lives.
And because the H2 is mixed into the water in the form of tiny bubbles that remain stable and stay there for around nine hours, you can take a ‘health bottle’ of hydrogenated water to work (less anxiety and better mood), to sports training (muscle recovery) or to school exams (greater concentration and mental clarity).
Conclusion
To summarise, molecular hydrogen, being an innovative therapy, is also very complete and comprehensive, as it has a therapeutic action on all the chronic diseases associated with the Western lifestyle: coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer and osteoporosis; and it also has a beneficial action on healthy people: it improves cognitive performance, anxiety and mood; and it is beneficial in intense physical activity. It therefore improves health, general well-being and quality of life.
The action of MOLECULAR HYDROGEN has been shown to BE BENEFICIAL in ALL DISEASES investigated, as it is a regulator of Life processes! Its properties go far beyond its anti-oxidising action. It can be said that H2 is therefore indispensable for a healthy and long-lasting life.
And since the simplest and safest way to ingest H2 is through hydrogenated water, how about choosing hydrogenated water as a daily supplement to prevent, support or therapeutically regulate diseases or daily excesses?
Are you curious about the enormous potential of molecular hydrogen? Share this article and find out more about this health innovation!
ADDENDUM – Proven benefits of molecular hydrogen:
| Brain and Nervous System • Prevents cognitive (intellectual) decline • Delays the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease • Prevents neuro-inflammation and memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease • Aids recovery from strokes (Cerebral Vascular Accidents) • Helps recover from neonatal cerebral hypoxia (childbirth) • Protects against the effects of cerebral neurotoxins • Aids recovery from cranial and spinal cord trauma and surgery • Preventive effect in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Urinary System • Improves bladder dysfunction • Haemodialysis • Minimises renal toxicity from chemotherapy • Minimises complications from kidney transplantation |
| Heart • Aids recovery from heart attack • Heart transplant • Atherosclerosis • Minimises radiotherapy side effects | |
| Organ Transplants • Minimises complications from heart, lung, intestine, and kidney transplants | |
| Digestive System • Improves gum fragility and sores • Relieves stomach erosion caused by aspirin • Inhibits intestinal inflammation; beneficial for ulcerative colitis • Protects the liver against toxic drugs • Supports liver health in hepatitis and other liver pathologies • Aids in the recovery from acute pancreatitis • Benefits intestinal surgeries, including transplants ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Bones • Minimises osteoporosis | Psychological Condition • Improves mood • Improves anxiety • Increases feelings of relaxation • Reduces depressive behaviou |
| Eyes and Ears • Improves corneal damage (eye application) • Helps manage glaucoma (eye application) • Aids in hearing disorders • Minimises the effect of drugs that are toxic to the ears | |
| Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome • Improves type II diabetes and glucose intolerance • Decreases the concentration of fats in the blood • Helps manage obesity associated with diabetes • Lowers blood fat levels | Skin • Improves atopic dermatitis • Helps manage allergic rhinitis • Minimises the ‘deregulated’ immune reaction |
| Lungs • Helps with serious lung diseases • Supports recovery from pulmonary shock • Aids in lung transplant recovery | Cancer • Numerous actions, including inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) • Enhances tolerance to chemotherapy (QT) and radiotherapy (RT) |
| Healthy Body • Boosts vitality • Enhances mental clarity • Neuroprotective properties • Antidepressant effects • Anti-ageing action | Chemotherapy • Decreases weight loss • Relieves kidney toxicity • Relieves liver toxicity • Improves quality of life |
| Athletic Performance • Increases energy • Reduces muscle fatigue during exercise • Shortens recovery time • Reduces muscle pain after intense training | Radiotherapy • Relieves side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, skin problems, nausea, headaches, and pain in the irradiated area |
Some Bibliography
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- Ohta, S. (2012) Chapter Fifteen – Molecular Hydrogen as a NovelAntioxidant: Overview of the Advantages of Hydrogen forMedical Applications. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects. 1820(5), 586-594. doi: 10.1016/bs.mie.2014.11.038
- Ohsawa, I., Ishikawa, M., Takahashi, K., Watanabe, M., Nishimaki, K., Yamagata, K., … & Ohta, S. (2007). Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Nature medicine, 13(6), 688-694. doi: 10.1038/nm1577
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- LeBaron, T. W., Laher, I., Kura, B., & Slezak, J. (2019). Hydrogen gas: from clinical medicine to an emerging ergogenic molecule for sports athletes. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 97(9), 797-807. doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0067@cjpp-esm.2019.01.issue-01
- Ostojic, S. M. (2014). Molecular hydrogen in sports medicine: new therapeutic perspectives. International journal of sports medicine, 273-279. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1395509
