The protective effect of hydrogen on various organs has been gaining attention since 2007 when the first research paper on this subject was published. Due to its selective ability to deal with free radicals, the therapeutic applications of hydrogen are many, including fertility.
Background
A free radical is any molecular species with an unpaired electron in its outer orbit. As a result of this structure, the molecule is highly unstable and reactive. While some free radicals are produced by a variety of normal biological processes such as aerobic metabolism and pathogenic defense mechanisms, other free radicals are the result of external exposures such as radiation, pollutants, cigarette smoke, etc. A subset of free radicals are Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These are also molecular bioproducts of cellular metabolism, and as free radicals, they also contain an unpaired electron in their outer orbit and are highly unstable. Structurally, the main difference is that ROS contain oxygen in their structure, while the other free radicals don’t. Physiologically, the main difference is that ROS can have both beneficial or detrimental effects on longevity. For example, some ROS can interact in a very damaging way resulting in profound cellular dysfunction and cytotoxicity responsible for aging and numerous diseases, while other species can serve as physiological regulators of normal cell multiplication and differentiation.
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals by giving up an electron. The unpaired electron of the free radical is paired up with the donated electron of the antioxidant, and as a result the free radical is neutralized.
Hydrogen, the smallest molecule in the world, has only one electron in its outer orbit (its only orbit), and just like a free radical, it is highly unstable and it wants to bond with another unstable element or molecule. It can selectively neutralize damaging ROS without disrupting ROS that are involved in normal cell signaling, making it a very unique antioxidant.
Introduction
What motivated scientists to do more research about the protective effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) was a study published in 2007 by Nature Medicine titled “Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals”. The study showed how hydrogen, as an antioxidant, has preventive and therapeutic applications.
By showing how H2 is able to reduce hydroxyl radicals, the most cytotoxic of ROS, and effectively protect cells, while not reacting with other ROS which are needed for normal physiology, the study proved that H2 has a selective nature. It neutralizes damaging free radicals without interfering with normal physiological processes.
In addition to its selective properties, what also sets H2 apart from all other antioxidants is its size. As the smallest molecule in the world, H2 can penetrate bio-membranes and diffuse into the mitochondria, nuclei, and the blood-brain barrier – where most of the damaging oxidation occurs.
Due to its structure, again, one electron on its outer orbit, hydrogen is very unstable and easily bonds with another hydrogen atom. In nature, hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is typically found bonded with another hydrogen atom forming a more stable molecule – H2. While molecular hydrogen (H2) is considered a stable molecule due to its strong covalent bond, it can still act as an antioxidant by donating a hydrogen atom (not just an electron) to highly reactive free radicals. This is possible because the hydrogen molecule can easily break apart to form two hydrogen atoms which can then be donated to other molecules.
Getting hydrogen into the cells
Hydrogen water has become a popular, convenient, and affordable way of getting molecular hydrogen into the body. There are several vendors offering water bottles that easily transform ordinary water into hydrogen-rich water. Hydrogen-rich water is simply water infused with molecular hydrogen. Molecular hydrogen is a tasteless gas, odorless and invisible to the naked eye. Once the bottle is filled with regular water, it is plugged in and turned on. The electricity splits the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen gas is then infused into the water, creating hydrogen-enriched water, while the oxygen gas is released harmlessly into the air. Typically a 14-ounce water bottle that has been turned on for 10 minutes can have a hydrogen range of about 3,000 PPB (parts per billion). This means that for every one billion molecules of water (H2O), 3,000 molecules of hydrogen (H2) are infused into the water. This might not seem like a lot, but consider that there are about 1.67 sextillion (a sextillion is a 1 followed by 21 zeros) water molecules in a single drop of water.
Hydrogen and Fertility
There are hundreds of published studies showing the health benefits of hydrogen-rich water. From Alzheimer’s disease, to heart disease, to infertility. A study by Medical Gas Research revealed that hydrogen treatment stimulates low sperm motility in humans. The study showed that hydrogen is a promising agent for male infertility treatment and concluded by saying that:
“ Our results illustrated that H2 treatment stimulates low sperm motility. H2 is a new promising tool for male infertility treatments”.
Another study on male infertility published in 2018 and titled “Molecular hydrogen may enhance the production of testosterone hormone in male infertility through hormone signal modulation and redox balance” confirmed that moderate amounts of ROS are needed for normal sperm function, but high amounts might decrease testosterone production. The study concluded by saying that:
“ By this hypothesis, we anticipate that molecular hydrogen may be an effective remedy in male infertility”.
An animal study published in 2016 by the Chinese Medical Journal looked at the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water in POF (Premature Ovarian Failure). In the study, 50 female mice were randomly given either regular water or hydrogen-rich water. They were then injected with glycoproteins, a protein that is used to induce POF in experimental mammalians. After 5 weeks, the mice that were given hydrogen-rich water had a much higher AMH than those that were given regular water. The study concluded by saying:
“ Based on these results, we concluded that hydrogen-rich water improved ovarian reserve function in immune POF mice. Under the protection of hydrogen-rich water, ovarian reserve function in immune POF mice was comparable to ovarian function in healthy mice”.
Acupuncture and ROS
While acupuncture cannot increase the amount of hydrogen molecules, multiple animal studies have shown how acupuncture can potentially influence the levels of ROS. A meta-analysis published in June of 2023 which included a total of 31 animal studies concluded by saying:
“ From behavioral tests to slices and pathological markers in animal models of vascular dementia, it can be proved that acupuncture is effective in targeting oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory damage, and acupuncture is not a placebo effect.”
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in September of 2022 aimed at assessing the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in animal models. The study included a total of 12 studies comprising of 125 samples. The meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture can regulate oxidative stress by lowering the lipid peroxidation and activating the antioxidant enzyme system, and concluded by saying that:
“ The data from existing experimental studies suggest that acupuncture can regulate oxidative stress status among multiple organs and tissues in animal models.”
Conclusion
There’s plenty of evidence showing the health benefits of molecular hydrogen (H2); from Alzheimer’s disease, to stroke to fertility. One easy and affordable way to introduce H2 into the body is by drinking hydrogen-rich water.
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