Anti-inflammatory: Therapy for Arthritis and Osteoporosis

“Osteoporosis often occurs in postmenopausal women, as decreased ovarian function after menopause leads to reduced estrogen levels. This reduction diminishes estrogen's ability to regulate oxidative stress and bone density, accelerating bone loss. In a study using ovariectomized rats to simulate postmenopausal conditions, continuous administration of hydrogen water for three months led to a protective effect on bone volume, quantity, and thickness in the femur and vertebrae. Additionally, inflammatory factors decreased in the hydrogen water group. Therefore, hydrogen water has the potential to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.”

“Another study explored whether hydrogen water could improve osteoporosis caused by weightlessness (such as in space travel or prolonged bed rest). Weightlessness leads to muscle atrophy and bone loss due to the long-term lack of muscle use to bear gravity. An animal experiment simulating lower limb weightlessness through hindlimb suspension found that rats given hydrogen water for six weeks had lower oxidative stress indicators and increased body weight. In cellular models, hydrogen molecules were shown to enhance the differentiation of osteoblasts while inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of osteoclasts. These results suggest that drinking hydrogen water can alleviate osteoporosis under weightless conditions (such as prolonged bed rest) and improve quality of life.”

“In a clinical human trial conducted by Japanese researchers, a disease activity assessment system was used to observe 28 joints and the level of C-reactive protein to evaluate whether hydrogen water could alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms after 4 to 12 weeks of use. The results of this clinical trial showed that hydrogen water intake for 4-12 weeks reduced inflammatory factors, alleviated immune responses, and improved inflammation symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The Japanese research team later administered hydrogen saline intravenously to rheumatoid arthritis patients and found that hydrogen saline also reduced oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factors, thereby improving inflammation in these patients. The team further investigated three different methods of hydrogen delivery (intravenous saline, hydrogen inhalation, and high-concentration hydrogen water) in clinical trials. The results indicated no significant differences between the three methods, as all reduced inflammatory factors and improved arthritis and skin damage caused by psoriasis.”