Molecular Hydrogen and Brain Health
Molecular hydrogen, H2, has garnered increasing attention regarding its potential benefits for preventing and reversing cognitive decline and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Cognitive decline appears to result from a complex interplay of various factors including:
Inadequate supply of oxygen and other nutrients,
Inadequate clearance of waste products
Exposure to various neurotoxins.
These factors all result in oxidative stress in the brain cells. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, is a known contributor to various chronic diseases, cancer and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to its high metabolic activity and lipid-rich composition and is therefore heavily reliant on antioxidants for protection.
While hydrogen gas has long been considered inert, recent research has unveiled its therapeutic potential, primarily through its demonstrated ability to combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. It selectively targets and neutralizes the most harmful free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, while preserving the beneficial effects of other free radicals like superoxide and nitric oxide which perform critically important cell signaling roles at low concentrations. This selective antioxidant effect makes molecular hydrogen a unique player in brain protection.
Molecular hydrogen, H2, is the smallest and lightest molecule in the universe, consisting of two hydrogen atoms. Its small size allows it to easily penetrate cell membranes and diffuse into various tissues, including the brain. This is particularly important because many anti-oxidants cannot penetrate the blood brain barrier and are therefore unable to directly exert their beneficial effects within this critical organ.
How to Incorporate Molecular Hydrogen
Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW): Consuming hydrogen-rich water is one of the most accessible ways to introduce H2 into your routine, using high potency H2 supplements which are dissolved in water.
Hydrogen Inhalation: Hydrogen gas inhalation is another method gaining popularity. This allows hydrogen to be absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream and reach the brain in higher concentrations.
Safety
Molecular hydrogen is very well tolerated even at very high concentrations and there are very few contraindications to its use.
Scientific Evidence
Neuroprotection: A study published in the journal "Neuroscience" in 2019 reported that hydrogen-rich saline exhibited neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (Kong et al., 2019).
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The "International Immunopharmacology" journal published research in 2015 highlighting hydrogen's anti-inflammatory properties, which can contribute to brain health (Ito et al., 2015).
Cognitive Enhancement: Research published in the "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition" in 2017 indicated that hydrogen-rich water intake improved cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (Yoritaka et al., 2017).
Alzheimer's Disease: A study in the "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease" in 2010 suggested that hydrogen-rich water might have potential as an effective therapeutic and preventive strategy for Alzheimer's disease (Yoritaka et al., 2010).
Alzheimer's Disease: A small but highly promising study published in 2023 indicated that inhaled hydrogen administered over 6 months significantly outperformed an approved Alzheimer’s drug. This included improved cognitive function and brain scans. (Yoritaka et al., 2010).
Conclusion
The potential benefits of molecular hydrogen for targeting over 70 medical conditions including cancer, metabolic dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders, is a very promising area of scientific research. With its remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, coupled with its ability to cross the blood brain barrier, H2 has the potential to be a game-changer in the pursuit of optimal brain health. While the current evidence suggests that incorporating molecular hydrogen into your daily routine may offer promising advantages, it is advisable to first obtain a precise assessment of your cognitive function, coupled with a clear determination of whether any recognized precipitating factors related to cognitive decline need to be specifically addressed. This personalized approach to preventing and reversing cognitive decline and other neurodegenerative issues has yielded the most promising results to date.
References:
1.Kong, G., & Liu, L. (2019). Hydrogen-Rich Saline Alleviates Early Brain Injury via Reducing Oxidative Stress and Brain Edema Following Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats. Neuroscience, 403, 1-11.
2.Yoritaka, A., Takanashi, M., Hirayama, M., Nakahara, T., Ohta, S., & Hattori, N. (2017). Pilot Study of H2 Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 61(1), 18-24.
3.Yoritaka, A., Abe, T., Ohtsuka, C., Maeda, T., Hirayama, M., & Ohta, S. (2010). A randomized double-blind multi-center trial of hydrogen water for Parkinson's disease: protocol and baseline characteristics. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 21(2), 655- 664.
4.Ito, M., Hirayama, M., Yamai, K., Goto, S., & Ito, M. (2015). Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates inflammation and tumor progression in a mouse model of colon cancer. International Immunopharmacology, 25(2), 370-376
5.Ono H, Nishijima Y, Ohta S. Therapeutic Inhalation of Hydrogen Gas for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and
Subsequent Long-Term Follow-Up as a Disease-Modifying Treatment: An Open Label Pilot Study. Pharmaceuticals. 2023; 16(3):434. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16030434