Molecular Hydrogen Supplement - Beyond the Hype: Pros, Cons & Health Benefits Explained

Hydrogen, a deceptively simple chemical element, is well-known for various titles and functions.

It is not only a component of water, which is necessary for survival, but also the lightest element in the periodic table of elements as well as the most abundant in the universe, comprising of nearly 75% of the universe’s mass.

In addition, it lays claim to fame for being an eco-friendly, clean source of fuel that when consumed for energy, gives off zero emissions and only has one single by-product: water. However, when it comes to the MOST astonishing use of hydrogen…

….it would be its strong potential for preventative and therapeutic health.

Now you are probably thinking that this is ridiculous and far-fetched:

If hydrogen was clinically beneficial, then why do pharmaceutical companies invest in the production of all these other costly drugs with long and hard to pronounce names in the first place?

Hydrogen: Too Good to be True?

When just looking at the basic facts about hydrogen, it does seem like the perfect chemical, and almost too good to be true.

First of all, it is colourless,   and tasteless, while also being inert (non-reactive) with most compounds, possessing a small molecular size (even smaller than molecular oxygen) and inexpensive to procure.

Furthermore, it has the ability to easily permeate cell membranes and rapidly diffuse to targets cells and tissues. allowing for a quick rise to peak levels of hydrogen. Additionally, as an antioxidant, it is able to selectively scavenge the harmful hydroxyl radical and preserve the other reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are needed for cell signalling regulation. Hence, compared to other antioxidants, hydrogen has fewer side effects and negative outcomes.

While some drugs may only be limited to one route of administration, hydrogen has a diverse range of administration options, such as hydrogen-rich saline injections, hydrogen baths, hydrogen gas inhalations, intestinal bacteria introduction, hydrogen-dissolved saline eye drops, and hydrogen-dissolved water.

Among these methods of administration, hydrogen-dissolved water is the most convenient route, since it is portable, inexpensive and can be made at room temperature.  More importantly, hydrogen has an excellent safety profile, with no significant effects on physiology, body temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation or pH as well as little or no reported adverse effects at clinical dosages.

Its non-toxicity is even maintained at concentrations higher than the recommended levels, and any excess hydrogen in the body is simply breathed out via the lungs.

The Elusive Properties of Hydrogen

Yet like many drugs and health products in development, there are still a number of questions regarding the use of hydrogen in the medical sector. For example, more research is needed to determine the actual and real clinical impact of using hydrogen in patient populations. More specifically, although a dose-dependent benefit was found in preclinical studies of hydrogen, the therapeutic efficacy of higher concentrations of hydrogen still requires an in-depth investigation.

As well, the optimal route of administration and dosing range of hydrogen therapy for different types of diseases remains to be determined. While there are many theories of how hydrogen works, further studies are necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms of how hydrogen effectively prevents or mitigates medical conditions. For instance, the specific molecular target of hydrogen is not fully researched. Presently, limited data is available with regards to the pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) of hydrogen when administered to patients with certain pathologies.

Hydrogen’s Role in Health

Taking hydrogen tablets can help with certain areas of your health, so today we’ll be exploring some ways research has shown that hydrogen can make your life better.

Hydrogen as a Performance Booster

For athletes and competitors, hydrogen-rich water supplementation may have a significant impact on heightening aerobic exercise performance levels. In one study comparing water with hydrogen supplement vs. placebo used during exercise, the hydrogen-rich water was found to have lowered the heart rate at submaximal intensities. Hence, molecular hydrogen supplementation may be used to improve physical performance and stamina. So for individuals who are working towards optimal fitness or training for marathons, hydrogen supplementation can be a feasible option to help reach their goals faster.

Hydrogen as a Mood Enhancer

Hydrogen supplements, astonishingly, may have the ability to improve mood and alleviate anxiety. Typically, in healthy adults, chronic oxidative stress and inflammation are due to aging, jobs and prolonged cognitive load. This then leads to a decline in the central nervous system functioning and a lower quality of life. However, since hydrogen is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, it could help with improving these outcomes. Indeed, current findings discovered that hydrogen-rich water taken orally over a period of four weeks in adults had significant positive effects on both mood and anxiety. These results suggest that hydrogen supplements can be a viable method to improve the overall quality of life in healthy individuals.

Hydrogen as a GERD symptom reliever

Molecular hydrogen supplementation may also have a contributing role to alleviating symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which is a relatively common condition in which there is acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn and acid regurgitation. Since oxidative stress has been proposed to be a critical factor in the development of GERD, then we can take advantage of molecular hydrogen supplements’ antioxidant properties. Risk populations consist of asthma patients, pregnant women, and those diagnosed with anxiety. For many GERD sufferers, the recurrence of heartburn and regurgitation leads to a reduced quality of life. In terms of treatment, the first-line therapy for GERD is proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of drugs that inhibit acid secretion. However, in a study with GERD patients comparing the treatment of PPI and tap water vs. PPI and electrolysed reduced water (ERW) with molecular hydrogen, the supplementation of ERW gave rise to significantly greater control of GERD symptoms. Hence, a combination regimen of both PPI and ERW may not only help alleviate symptoms, but also improve the quality of life for individuals living with GERD.

Things to Do BEFORE Taking Any Hydrogen Supplement:

Now, after presenting you with all this material about molecular hydrogen, it is important to note that none of this information is intended as medical advice. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead for hydrogen supplementation, try out the hydrogen tablets (or even an inhaler!) and enjoy the impressive health benefits!

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