Hydrogen-enriched water … it conjures up conflicting images of a nuclear reaction, or perhaps the latest, weird health fad to appear (which will soon disappear – leaving a few people rich and everyone else disappointed.) The fact that it’s another water-plus product doesn’t inspire much confidence. How could, after all, adding more hydrogen gas molecules to water really make a difference?
Hydrogen plus oxygen forms water. Could adding more hydrogen to the mix be helpful?
In fact, there is a way. Hydrogen, it turns out, is a potent antioxidant – meaning it appears to be quite good at sopping up some of those free radicals that chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) studies suggest our bodies are full of.
In their search for stability, free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) tear holes in the membranes of our cells. As they do that, they liberate more free radicals – sometimes producing a kind of free radical storm, which damages our cells and prevents them from functioning properly. Studies indicate that neither ME/CFS nor FM patients’ antioxidant systems are keeping up.
Some researchers believe hydrogen may actually be one of the best antioxidants around. While other antioxidants interact with all kinds of reactive oxygen species – including helpful ones – hydrogen appears to reduce only the levels of the worst free radicals. That includes the most dangerous reactive oxygen species known, the hydroxyl radical (OH-), as well as peroxynitrite (OONO-), the reactive oxygen species that forms the basis of Martin Pall’s OONO- ME/CFS hypothesis. More recent research indicates that H2 promotes the gene expression of several other antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD).
Plus, hydrogen gas’s small size – it’s the smallest molecule – allows it to diffuse across membranes and penetrate into the tiniest corners of our tissues and cells.
Possible Benefits
A wide range of possible benefits are being looked at:
Inflammation Reducer? – Evidence that H2 – whether present in water or as a gas (or even in bath water) – may help is building. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study found that an H2 infusion reduced pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Metabolism Enhancer? – Just this year, a similar trial found significant improvements in metabolic factors (blood cholesterol and glucose levels, attenuated serum hemoglobin A1c) and reduced markers of inflammation in metabolic syndrome. The reduction in A1c was an interesting finding given a recent study suggesting that A1c might be increased in fibromyalgia.
PEM Reducer? – Another interesting possibility concerns H2’s potential to reduce the increased oxidative stress and inflammation that Dr. Klimas’s exercise studies find in ME/CFS. Given the massive amounts of oxidative stress that exercise incurs, even in healthy people, it’s no surprise to see H2 studies popping up in Sports Science journals. Given the recent lactate findings in ME/CFS, a reduction in blood lactate levels in soccer players was intriguing.
Mitochondrial Aid? – Perhaps the most interesting trial for ME/CFS and FM, though, was a 2012 trial which found that hydrogen water improved mitochondrial functioning (lactate-to-pyruvate ratios, fasting blood glucose, serum matrix metalloproteinase-3, serum triglycerides) in two mitochondrial diseases.
Others – H2 animal studies have found reductions in allodynia, pain, inhibited glial cell activity, improved cognition, enhanced clearance of the excitotoxic neurotransmitter glutamate, and reduced colonic inflammation.
Hydrogen rich water, it turns out, is not so “woo-woo”, after all. Most the studies done are quite small and more extensive studies are needed, but it’s clearly got some science behind it, and it appears to be safe and easy to administer. Thanks to Fred Friedberg, we now have a small ME/CFS trial going.
The Friedberg Study
Fred Friedberg PhD, is an author, researcher, the President of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME), and a person with ME/CFS. The Stony Brook University professor is launching a small pilot study of H2 water’s effect on chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). He reported:
“I first heard about hydrogen as a potential treatment for chronic conditions at a talk given by a highly regarded neurologist at Stony Brook medical school. As he summed up the scientific literature on the therapeutic uses of hydrogen, I got enthused about its potential in ME/CFS and have started a new treatment study with hydrogen.
Based on this literature and consultation with the neurologist who gave the talk on hydrogen, I’ve started a 6-week controlled pilot trial of hydrogen treatment, funded by my institution.
We hope to enroll 25 volunteers. All study activities are done at home. There are no in-person visits. People can call the number on the ad or send an email to us (also below). The hydrogen is in pill form (OTC supplement) that is dissolved in water. The study will be open to enrollment until we have 25-30 people enrolled.
If you’d like to volunteer or get more information, feel free to call 631-638-0056 or email to: FatigueMECFS@stonybrookmedicine.edu”
Update! – the study has just expanded to include testing for inflammation and oxidative stress. If it’s successful this could go a long way to nailing down a biological effect. As of Sept. 10th, the study still has a few openings. Enroll now if you want to get in it.
If you’ve tried hydrogen-rich water, please take the poll and tell us how it went.
This is very interesting, Cort! I’d recently heard about hydrogen water and was wondering if it could help my huge oxidative stress and high lipid peroxides. Very good to know there’s science behind it and it’s not just the latest scam.
I had never heard that hydrogen was a free radical scavenger before this. Every ME/CFS oxidative stress study has found high levels.
This could be a game changer for those suffering NO/ONOO. The part that isn’t clear in the research, is if it also increases Nitric Oxide (plant study suggests it does). If it increases NO then it’s likely to do harm to those with NO/ONOO.
Dear Cort,
I am very interested in Hydrogen Water.
If you remember, I was diagnosed with D-Lactic acidosis after 18 years ME/CFS.
I am still awaiting trial FMT. But had read that both Hydrogen and Methane are produced in Bacterial Overgrowth and influence Motility, which was believed the main cause of the Bacterial Overgrowth causing my D-Lactic acidosis.
It is likely that Methane causes slowed motility and possibly Hydrogen Water may help with this problem?
I am still reliant on antibiotics and diet, which I fail regularly and fall ill, the last bout of illness came with Constipation which started with my first symptoms 20 years ago.
Where can I obtain the best quality Hydrogen Water?
I am just guessing, but I have always envisaged different forms of Bacterial Overgrowth as the cause of ME/CFS in at least a Subset; the difference between D-Lactic symptoms causing severe ME and less severe forms such as IBS causing Chronic Fatigue.
I would ask those who have tried Hydrogen Water what their motility issues were beforehand?; Whether their motility issues worsened or got better; and whether those with Constipation and slowed motility benefited, but those with faster motility worsened?
I am wondering if Hydrogen Water may be a motility aid which may be at the heart of my D-Lactic/ME symptoms?
I managed to temporarily reverse my illness by using Naltrexone as a Prokinetic at low dosage for 3 months, fully returning to Carbohydrates and Sugars, but then my symptoms suddenly returned.
I purchased a machine that injects large amounts of molecular hydrogen to my drinking water. It’s quite expensive but it’s NOTHING compared to my pain or medical bills throughout the years. I’ve been drinking this water for 10 years on and off and now full-time since I own the machine and my life has forever changed. The machine is $5K. It gives me so much energy!
I tried to email them, by copying and pasting the email address in the article, and it bounced back 🙁
I tried and got an automatic reply. Is that what you got?
Look at hydrogen-water products on http://www.synergyscience.com.
I bought some in pill form a month ago and haven’t tried it yet! Perhaps I will soon and report back
Thanks for covering this! I just started participating in this study this week! We shall see….
Good luck! And good for Fred to take the initiative to get this trial funded from Stoney Brook. Maybe it will fit into an ME/cFS treatment protocol.
Cort, I was able to order from Researched Nutrionals (the brand Nina was given by her doctor) using the account of a naturopath who gives you a link. The company is Researched Nutritionals which is an excellent brand that you can only get through medical providers. Go here: https://shop.restormedicine.com/H2-Absorb-RN149.htm
Yea Stacy!
Hello Stacy! I had requested to be enrolled, and have just now received an email setting up the initial phone intake/interview to see if I qualify. You posted the above comment 3 months ago. How did it work out for you?!! I’m excited 😀
Very cool news! Thank you Cort for a really well informed website!! I always find great info in here. I will make a donation today to help the cause so you can continue your great work!! Much appreciated. Left a V/M to see about the study. In the meantime is hydrogen peroxide in the bathwater a good idea to try?
Thanks Vicky for your support – particularly now when things are so uncertain. I don’t know about hydrogen peroxide in the bathwater. Maybe someone else does (???)
I came down with CFS in 1992 and I remember having a photocopy of some research (may not have been clinical or formal) in the late 80s that suggested hydrogen peroxide as a treatment. I always remember being fascinated by that.
Hydrogen peroxide is classified as an oxygenating product. Hydrogen (water) does the opposite. There is more to both, but hydrogen peroxide will not do the same as hydrogen water!
I tried it because ozone helped me lots as ten pass. But it was very expensive so I’m maintaining my health gains with peroxide baths. If I do them too much I crash, if I do them too little I slowly decline. I do twice weekly with 300ml of 12 % h2o2 on 20 litres of water and disk for 40 minutes. But if i’m crashed or unwell, I need to start at a much lower dose and build up.
I live in Canada. But I’m going to see if I can get some hydrogen pills here because I’m willing to give it a try. Interesting.
Kathryn i am in Canada also. Mine are called I❤️H2 and I think they were through Best Water. It was a Canadian website
Julie, I’m in Canada too and am curious – what was your experience with them? Did they help and what with?
I will look Into this thanks Julie!?? Did the pills help?
I dont know yet. Havent dared try! I may do now after reading about this study. I am leery about new things
I purchased a machine that injects large amounts of molecular hydrogen to my drinking water. It’s quite expensive but it’s NOTHING compared to my pain or medical bills throughout the years. I’ve been drinking this water for 10 years on and off and now full time since I own the machine and my life has forever changed. The machine is $5K but you will be forever grateful.
Hi Regina! I am curious to know what machine you purchased. I am looking into buying one for my mom. Does the machine allow you to inhale the hydrogen as well? Through a nasal canula? I am so glad that this has helped you!
I was given tablets that produce hydrogen rich water by my doctor. I tried them once or twice, but had gastrointestinal upset. I probably should have started with smaller amounts. Now I’m curious to maybe try again.
Sounds like a good thing to try! Does anyone know what the product is called? How much? Etc.? Thanks!
Some people who have SIBO don’t do well with hydrogen water until the SIBO is cleared up. That *might* be something for you to explore.
Cort, can you find out what is in the pills?
Corr,
Can you tell me what is in the hydrogen pills?
I will try and find out.
There is a lot of misinformation on what it means to hydrate the body. Hydration does not necessarily come from just any water. Hydration is Hydrogen Donation, our body uses the hydrogen to exchange and renew the fluids in our class. Most spring waters have way to much unneeded minerals causing the hydrogen to be locked up in the presence of these minerals.
Hydrogen is an Acid, lemon & lime juice, and apple cider vinegar are great sources of hydrogen. And then to your water regularly for a few weeks and you will feel great. Man Is Kind
Sorry, “Man is Kind”, but many of the statements you made are not scientifically valid. I know that you were well-intended, but we should let people see another side. I have a Ph.D. in chemistry and have taught at the University level for 45 years. Hydration is not Hydrogen donation; the latter is called reduction. There is a big difference in hydrogen donation (reduction) and hydrogen ion donation (acid-base reactions.) Hydration is only the donation of water. The presence of minerals can change the acidity of aqueous (water) solutions by increasing the concentration of hydrogen ions but would have a very negligible affect on the availability of water for hydration. Some web sites trying to sell their “products” may try to convince you otherwise. Hydrogen is an atom, hydrogen ion is an acid. The terms are not interchangeable.
Hi Cort,
It would be nice to know which product they recommend.
Thanks
I will try and find out.
Fred simply said they were over the country hydrogen tablets but didn’t want to say which ones.
Ernie, such wisdom. What is your opinion on machines that inject hydrogen into water? I purchased one of these machines and my pain has gone away. My mother who has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer is also drinking this hydrogen rich water (you can actually see the tiny little white bubbles when pouring the glass) and her quality of life has improved dramatically. I’m curious to know your opinion since you seem to know the science behind HRW. Thank you
I’d also like to thank you for this website. You sure do get around and cover so many research papers and doctors.
Just a note of appreciation.
Thanks Barbara 🙂
I just started with a new doctor and he has me on hydrogen water. I just started it yesterday.
It’s a charcoal-looking pill that you drop in 8 oz of water and it dissolvers with a little fizz and you drink it right away. The product says to do this twice a day.
The product he has me on (sold through his practice) is called H2Absorb by Researched Nutritionals
https://www.researchednutritionals.com/product/h2-absorb/
But the box says it’s only avail through health care practitioners. If you want to compare to other products that can be purchased online, the ingredients are:
RN Ionic Hydrogen Mix (Dextrose, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid) — 520 mg
Magnesium — 80 mg
Other ingredients: Adipic Acid, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate
I don’t know what the research study is using, though.
(I was excited to see this article because I’ haven’t been sure what to think of this local functional medicine doctor is or whether I should try to see one of the well-respected ME/CFS doctors, e.g. a virologist, out of town, like Chheda. I’ve only met with him once, but the first thing he talked about is Naviaux’s cell danger response, so that made me think he keeps up with research. And I emailed him Cort’s recent article on Naviaux’s study on HHV-6 and he was appreciative. But that study makes me think maybe I should see a virologist who specializes in ME/CFS. This guy doesn’t really use meds, being a functional doctor.)
But, Cort, your article
Thank you @Nina, I just ordered from a Naturopath that allows you to order direct from Researched Nutrionals using her account. Go here: https://shop.restormedicine.com/H2-Absorb-RN149.htm
I have been taking Magnesium L-threonate for a couple of years now and I have found a massive difference in my pain levels, depression, leg cramps and restless legs. If I haven’t taken it , within 2 days, I will be in so much pain, absolutely no sleep due to restless legs and my calf muscles cramping continuously. I definitely recommend it and have to others with ME/Fibro and they have seen a big difference too! It’s definitely something worth researching. I am sharing a link below showing the different types of Magnesium (I never knew there were so many!) hopefully it will help some of you, Sharon xx
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-types#The-bottom-line
I forgot to say I have Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Depression and Crohn’s Disease x
Forgive me, but I need some more information to swallow this information. My husband is a Ph.D. level chemist and he says in order to make hydrogen into a liquid it would have to be cooled to 33 Kelvin, which is way below temperatures humans can live. How is hydrogen, a volatile gas, packaged into a pill to be dissolved in water? I’m thoroughly confused. But hey, if it works, I will try it. Just trying to understand how this is not a placebo. Thanks!!!
Thanks for reminding me. I have a book on magnesium! It’s amazing how many types there are.
Hi Sharon,
Could you share what brand you use and the dosage? Thanks very much.!
Hi Jane, sorry for my late reply. I’m not always on the computer. Here is the link to the brand that I take, all the information is under product details. Take care, Sharon xx
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clean-Magnesium-L-Threonate-Uptake-Blend-to-Help-Deliver-British-Supplements/123268026692?hash=item1cb358d144:m:mEFSDPrxDrC1JjoJaX3q_xg
Jane please ignore that last link! They now have their own website and are not working through ebay anymore. I totally forgot. Here’s the website link:
https://www.british-supplements.net/products/clean-genuine-natural-magnesium-l-threonate-640mg-per-cap
Hola! Tengo SFC/EM desde hace 6 años. He intentado agua rica en hidrógeno hace un año y empeoraba muchísimo sólo con unos sorbos. Mi cuerpo era incapaz de tolerarla. Sin embargo, mi madre, una persona saludable, le ayudo con su dolor de rodillas ¡En dos días desapareció! A mi también me quitó un dolor tras un empaste dental (tomé unos sorbos dejándola en la boca unos minutos y en tres días desapareció un dolor horrible de dientes). Tristemente, no pude tolerar más. He intentado en nuevas ocasiones y fuerza demasiado mi cuerpo.
Dejo aquí mi experiencia por si a alguien le sirve
And a Google translation of that:
Hello! I’ve had SFC/EM for 6 years. I tried hydrogen-rich water a year ago and it got a lot worse just a few sips. My body was incapable of tolerating it. However, my mother, a healthy person, helped him with his knee pain In two days he disappeared! I also had a pain after a dental filling (I took a few sips leaving it in my mouth for a few minutes and in three days a horrible toothache disappeared). Sadly, I couldn’t take any more. I’ve tried new times and force my body too much.
I leave my experience here in case anyone serves
Have been drinking hydrogen water from special bottle I bought from my natural Dr NUNO Nina in Lisbon portugal . My ME is much worse of late but not due to water. Feel sure it will benefit me. Due to lockdown cannot do hydro therapy therefore downward slide.
Hello Pam- RE: hydro therapy – last summer I was fortunate that on our vacation in the Southern USA, I got to swim in a heated private pool. I had it all to myself. As a lifelong swimmer I learned early I can float on my back for hours. It is like sitting in an easy chair; hands behind my head, ankles crossed. I noticed when in the pool my PEM and dizziness disappeared. It was a wonderful feeling. As soon as I was back on dry land It all returned. Do you find this with hydro therapy? It felt so wonderful. If only I could convince my doctor to prescribe a pool for me . . . . . . . Anyway, I would be interesting in hearing about your therapy.
Hi Cort,
I have been reading that antioxidant supplements can actually INCREASE free radicals! Do you think this antioxidant acts differently than others do?
Several of the hydrogen overviews suggested that hydrogen is safer than other antioxidants because it only attacks the nastiest free radicals. I believe they said it was because it’s a “weak reducer”.
This blog notes that a major 2007 overview found that beta carotene, Vit E and Vit A can slightly increase the risk of death. No benefits were found from taking other antioxidants – https://www.livestrong.com/article/480352-the-effects-of-too-much-antioxidants/.
Because reactive oxygen species have beneficial aspects – it’s all about balance – wiping them out may not be helpful. (I doubt that is a problem in ME/CFS though.
It’s very complex issue, though, and it’s hard to tell what’s what!
i tried the tablets a couple of years ago and they did not make my stomach happy, but a few months ago i bought a small hydrogen water generator and the water from this makes me feel better in all ways. the brand is gosoit and i found it on amazon.
I’ve been taking hydrogen water daily for a few months now and interestingly, after I started, my resting heart rate decreased dramatically (this was good, as I have issues with POTS and tachycardia). I definitely feel better when I take it. It makes logical sense to me that, having looked into some of the genetic SNP work done by the likes of Ben Lynch and others (which to me does provide a logical explanation for many of my symptoms) that it is likely I have high levels of ROS. It was a naturopath who suggested I take it. He said it ‘calms down NOS, supports SOD, takes hydroxyl radicals and turns them into water. I’ve often said if there was one thing I could take, it would be hydrogen water. Ridiculously simple. ‘
Gemma, what kind of hydrogen water do you take?
I’m in Australia, and I get mind from https://www.alkaway.com.au/shop/love-h2/ 🙂
Forgive me, but I need some more information to swallow this information. My husband is a Ph.D. level chemist and he says in order to make hydrogen into a liquid it would have to be cooled to 33 Kelvin, which is way below temperatures humans can live. How is hydrogen, a volatile gas, packaged into a pill to be dissolved in water? I’m thoroughly confused. But hey, if it works, I will try it. Just trying to understand how this is not a placebo. Thanks!!!
Hello all – I have ordered a bottle for producing hydrogen water. I am excited to try it. However, if it lowers my resting heart rate, I may be in trouble. My normal is 51 and occasionally drops to the low 40’s. I have many times experienced very lot blood pressure – so we will see. I will do anything to relieve this inflammation and pain, fevers, chills, etc.
I don’t exactly know about the pill. I purchased a $5k machine that injects the molecular hydrogen into my drinking water and that is how I drink it. I also purchased an ORP meter to gage the Oxidative Reduction Potential and the number I get is -700 (minus 700) which I understand is a lot!
I tried the email address but it wasn’t delivered. Can you verify?
The email link contains a “ at the end of the address that isn’t supposed to be there I believe. I sent without the “ and it appears to have gone through.
With the “, it bounced back.
Where can one buy Hydrogen-Rich water? Is it fizzy like the carbonated water?
It isn’t fizzy but it does have a slightly different taste. I haven’t tried the tablets. I bought a hydrogen water generator from Amazon because it’s cheaper than buying tablets for any length of time. You see lots of little bubbles when it generates the hydrogen water but they go and it isn’t fizzy at all.
I started drinking hydrogen water in January after reading “Toxic” by Neil Nathan MD. He says that if you have 2 variants of the HFE gene (which I have) you may be absorbing too much iron. He says excess iron can create hydroxyl radicals through something called the Fenton Reaction. Especially if you have variations in certain other genes to do with detoxification (like the SOD genes) which I have too. To begin with I felt worse, had to stop drinking it a couple of times and then start again drinking less of it. But after a short while I started to feel better than I have done for 6or 7 years. I had already had some improvement from working to strengthen my methylation cycle and taking a glutathione spray, just had to go really slowly with these too. When I first got ME after a virus over 21 years ago, I felt like I’d been poisoned and I’ve always thought ME is to do with toxicity, for me anyway. I use a hydrogen water generator I got from Amazon, it was the cheapest but I’m happy with it.
Do you have to drink the water within a certain time limit. Does your generator plug into USB on computer?
I’ve read differing estimates as to how long the water holds its antioxidant properties ranging from a few hours to eight hours. The generator I got has a USB cable.
There is a business in Australia which promotes alkaline drinking water products as well as Hydrogen tablets that readily dissolve in water. I’ve got the pills but haven’t used them yet. Ingredients from their web site: A proprietary patent pending hydrogen formula. Other ingredients are magnesium, magnesium malate, magnesium fumarate 50mg. 10%.Mannitol, magnesium malate, magnesium, magnesium fumarate, malic acid, fumaric acid.
Whats the brand name please Dana? I would like to source this as my daughter is tube fed and the magnesium would also benefit her.
Michelle, Gemma above has given the details of the one I have:
I’m in Australia, and I get mind from https://www.alkaway.com.au/shop/love-h2/ ?
Could I suggest the book by Dr Carolyn Dean about magnesium.
Michelle, just a P.S. I am not recommending Carolyn Dean’s magnesium products, but the thorough info. in her book. Myself, I find transdermal application appropriate and I mix my own magnesium chloride flakes with non-tap water and spray on limbs, etc.
Hi,
I have seen various talks on Hydrogen water but my issue was the machines usually being sold in these talks are in the 1000s of dollars and they usually refer to the hydrogen releasing pills as not effective.
Most of the generators on Amazon cost under $100. Maybe they’re not as good but I’m happy with mine. I live in the UK and paid £25 for it.
I’ve been looking on Amazon but having a hard Tim e finding one that doesn’t contain lead and has a vent for the ozone and chlorine gases. Does yours fit the bill and if so, what model is it?
This is very interesting! Thanks so much for covering it Cort! I’ve been taking Cellfood (by Lumina) for about 6 weeks now, and it has overall increased my energy and also noticeably helped my immune system. I get sick a LOT with sinus infections. I had been fighting a low-grade infection for a couple of weeks when I started the Cellfood and within 3 days my sinuses were clear. I’ve started to get sick again several times but each time the Cellfood knocks it out within 2 days.
Cellfood is supposed to work by splitting water in the body into oxygen and hydrogen. I don’t know if that’s what’s going on, but it definitely is helping me. Also, my lips are redder. I do believe it’s getting more oxygen into my system. It may be doing something with hydrogen as well. (unfortunately it hasn’t stopped PEM)
It can cause a herx or detox reaction initially – mine was mild and I got over it quickly but it’s recommended to start on a low dose to see how you react. I’m taking about 10 drops in water 3 x a day.
Sorry mine doesn’t have a vent.
Mary, I used to get back to back sinus infections. I had learned the hard way that I had mold in my home. I was never officially diagnosed with mold illness because every doctor over looked it and contributed all of my symptoms to Fibro and herniated discs causing pain. It wasn’t until I moved out of my house & slowly, very slowly, started to feel better. As I started to feel better I had more energy to make other changes (diet, taking walks, spiritual growth, etc). I’ve been out of that house for 4 yrs now & my health is managed. For the 1st time in over 6 yrs, I’ve started a full time job. My pain levels are 0-3 from a daily 10+.
Sharon,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Magnesium L-threonate. Could you suggest brands that you’ve found to be good, and the best daily dosage? Thank you!
I have researched magnesium and do take it. However, my sources said that if you take protonix for the mag to work you have to stop the protonix. I have gerd. Without protonix I feel ill with stomach pain. I do not have much appetite anyway and take many supplements because of that so I am up in the air on supplemental magnesium.
I tried it last summer but am not sure if it did anything. It didn’t seem to at the time. It was expensive so I didn’t use it consistently or as advised. Here is a paper I looked at before using it. I still wasn’t convinced it did anything but maybe it did. https://www.oncotarget.com/article/21130/text/
Make your own hydrogen water for under 5 cents per glass! Better hydrogen concentration than a home machine or pills!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ1DeiD5LTo
Informative presentation of easy at home technique which only requires the purchase of a stoppered bottle, malic acid, and magnesium rods!
I hope that the proposed study will take into consideration the affect of the magnesium malate or other magnesium compounds that result from the hydrogen pill which consists of magnesium metal, malic acid and other materials. The magnesium reacts with water to create hydrogen gas and also magnesium ions that interact with the malic acid to make magnesium malate. it is well established the magnesium malate and magnesium threonate have improved the health of many people with ME/CFS. I have tried both of these magnesium compounds and find that neither one improves my own ME/CFS symptoms. I have just started trying the pill generated hydrogen gas treatment, and if it has any benefits, I will know that they are from the hydrogen gas and not the magnesium malate side product.
Thanks for explaining this because the original post did not explain how H2 could be packaged in a pill and I was thoroughly confused since hydrogen is a volatile gas on its own.
🙂 Yes, Thanks to Ernie!
I’ve been experimenting with hydrogen water for a few months. The best resource I’ve found is at: http://www.molecularhydrogeninstitute.com/. If you’re serious about an H2 experiment, carefully review this site or make sure you do an equivalent amount of homework.
Beware: It appears that the hydrogen generators on amazon don’t generate enough hydrogen and the magnesium tablets work better; and not all magnesium tablets are equal.
Beware: It appears that many people who wrote in are taking too low of a dose (e.g. 8 oz. one time per day. I’ve read that one needs two 16 oz. doses within a short time frame with a tablet that generates at least 8ppm of hydrogen. I’ve been only taking one tablet/16oz. and missing some days. I’m not getting the promised results. I like Cort’s January 25, 2020 post about following an OKR path and am going to get serious about my experiment: 2 – 16oz doses within an hour, EVERY day for a month.
Suggestion: I’ve tried a few different products and am currently using Dr. Mercola’s H2 tablets, which having a higher hydrogen amount and are cheaper than most of the products on Amazon. It’s still a $0.50 per day experiment: https://shop.mercola.com/product/2715/1/h2-molecular-hydrogen-90-per-bottle-90-day-supply. It’s also possible that the do it yourself method Nancy B recommended on April 30 is an excellent solution for a lot less money.
Good luck.
Thanks Dale.
From my experience hydrogen water made with generator was bery beneficial at first but after using it for awhile it lost most of its fatigue relieving benefits. The same goes for every supplement and herbal product I have used.
have you tried them yet? can you forward your source? i have been fighting cfs for 20yrs and have tried 100’s of cure’s from silver colloid, H202 water, etc.
thank you gary
There is only one authorized (patent-pending) tablet technology proven to generate and retain high levels of free H2 molecules in water. It is called “Drink HRW”. Several brands use this technology, including Research Nutritionals (H2 Absorb), Dr. Gundry (H2 Restore), Mercola and others. Check the back of the bottle for the “Drink HRW” logo. The reason it works better than the machines is that it instantly creates a cloud of H2 Nano-bubbles which does not dissipate immediately from the glass (although you should drink it all within 5 minutes). The tablets use elemental magnesium, so you get a super-bioavailable magnesium source, as well.
Vital Reaction do a Molecular Hydrogen Pill which generates Hydrogen at 10 parts per million which is very good. It helped my mother with her arthritis pains. My concern with the cheaper Hydrogen generating machines available on amazon is that many of them don’t filter out ozone and other nasty’s. You need a titanium plate to filter out the bad stuff. I bought a machine on ali express. It costs somewhere between 160 to 190 Euro. It filters out ozone etc and makes the water at between 3.5 parts per million and 6 parts per million. For best results, I believe that 4 parts per million is a good starting point. More is better obviously. Another thing about some of the cheaper machines is that they often don’t reach even 1 part per million. But all of that said, there are comments above that have said they are happy with the results using the machines on amazon and so if it works for you then great.
Alkaline water plus.com https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-bz401t/products/911/images/1252/high-rich-hydrogen-pitcher__04973.1567473905.1280.1280.jpg?c=2
Hydrogen pitcher.
This sort of hydrogen water bottle is my favourite. It is a more expensive model than many on amazon but produces much higher amounts of hydrogen gas (up to 3700ppm) and has a breathing attachment as well. It has a high quality SPE/PEM filter and vents the hydrogen peroxide and ozone, etc out the bottom. Although more expensive upfront, making hydrogen water this way can be more cost effective long term. I have rheumatoid arthritis (EDS, POTS, MCAD too) as well as chronic fatigue, and drinking hydrogen water for the past 18 months or so has brought all my inflammatory markers back into normal range (ESR is now zero) and increased my energy and allowed me to reduce and/or quit many of my arthritis and mast cell meds. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000638501559.html
Might anyone have an update?
The study just got better! Fred Friedberg was able to add testing for oxidative stress and inflammation to it. The study still has a few openings.
Cort, Don’t you find this a little strange? After all the study is near completion. What guesses could you make about adding new tests to the additional few people they add to the study?
Well that’s a good question. The only thing I can think is that the study is near being filled but has not started maybe? That’s the only thing I can think of – as I assume they will need baseline data.
Here is a study published in Nature, small but interesting.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-68930-2
FWIW I just picked up a hydrogen water machine from MaxH2 about 2 months ago, and I’ve noticed significant inflammation reduction. I’ve had chronic joint pain and fatigue for years, never formally diagnosed, but it’s made a huge difference so far.
How about that! Congratulations – and thanks for sharing your experience. Continued good luck with it 🙂
I have arthritis. I started drinking H2 water as a courtesy to my hosts (I am a skeptic regarding supposed miracle cures) who swore by it. After drinking it for two weeks, one day I found myself walking up the stairs normally – I had not been able to do that for 3 years! I started drinking 2-16oz bottles per day and the pain free condition continued, except for a one-week trip where I forgot to bring it. By the end of the week, the pain was returning with a vengeance.
Long story short. I have doctor/MRI confirmed arthritis in my left knee. Debilitating, had to 2-step every stair, could only sit down with my knee straight, could not bend it. Pain from motion during sleep would wake me up. All those issues have gone. Try H2 water, but be careful there are a lot of scams.
Good article!
We have to add H2 rich water in our Lifestyle. The basis of the health benefits of Hydrogen Water is – you guessed it right – Hydrogen. Hydrogen slows down the process of aging in the Human body by combining with reactive oxidative particles – called free radicals. These free radicals have been proven to cause damage to various systems in the body. These free radicals usually do not get a fast way to be expelled from the body; causing more damage the longer they live. Hydrogen readily eliminates these free radicals and gives them a fast way to exit the body!
what brand are you drinking….if you say watch out for it….
I was a subject in the initial study (July & Aug 2020) and did a search to see if results had been published and found this article. Thanks to Cort for giving an update, now I know why it hasn’t been published yet. I was told they can’t give out the name of brand used until after study is published. I had a big improvement in energy with using hydrogen water tablets for the study and continue to use them. The protocol was starting with 1 tab a day and working up to 5 tabs daily. I personally found no improvement until the second or third week when I started using 2-4 tabs daily. I noticed it worked better for me using 2 tabs together in 8-12ozs water. 5 tabs were too much and definitely taking too late in the day interfered with sleep. The feel like a boost from caffeine but without the jitters and crash. I’ve tried different brands and they’re all pretty similar. Dr Mercola brand is good. I found the best results from putting 2 tabs in a glass of cold water, cover and wait 1-2 min until the tabs are almost completely dissolved and water is bubbly and frothy then drink all at once. This was basically the protocol from the study. Definitely start slow and work up to more tabs, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have immediate results and stomach might need time to get used to the magnesium. I hope this helps
Thanks Mara!
I had an undiagnosed B12 deficiency for a number of months that I thought was related to my toes bending the wrong direction when a tipping stool almost toppled me. My doctor told me the neuropathic foot pain was not reversible. After months of buying lots of different padded insoles, I started drinking packaged hydrogen rich water. It worked and after a couple months, I realized I did not need to keep drinking it . Fast forward 2 years, and I ended up with a bad case of frozen shoulder. Turned to Drink HRW as my grocery store had stop carrying the packaged hydrogen water. I had had a stiff painful back on standing up from a sitting position for awhile, but the day I rolled out of bed with extreme lower back pain, I decided it was time to see if Drink HRW would alleviate a third type of pain. It does.
A study in 2022 with Me/CFS patients drinking it Daily versus the placebo group drinking normal water (not knowing which was what) showed no relevant improvements:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21641846.2022.2038519
Two new clinical trials show the benefits of hydrogen inhalation in alzheimer’s disease and dementia
https://www.pemf-devices.com/hydrogen-alzheimers-disease-dementia/
For some time I have been suffering with pain all over my body. The pain was very much like lactic acid and mainly suffered when I got up in a morning or when I stood after having a sit down. Since drinking hydrogen water, about 2-3 litres a day for the past week, I must say the pain has virtually gone and I feel so energised and not lethargic as I have been feeling over quite a few months now. I’m not one for going to a doctor as I’m not a great believer of synthetic medicines, but I must say hydrogen water has been a game changer for me.
Wow – Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience 🙂