Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors

Abstract

BackgroundCancer patients receiving radiotherapy often experience fatigue and impaired quality of life (QOL). Many side effects of radiotherapy are believed to be associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation due to the generation of reactive oxygen species during radiotherapy. Hydrogen can be administered as a therapeutic medical gas, has antioxidant properties, and reduces inflammation in tissues. This study examined whether hydrogen treatment, in the form of hydrogen-supplemented water, improved QOL in patients receiving radiotherapy.MethodsA randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on 49 patients receiving radiotherapy for malignant liver tumors. Hydrogen-rich water was produced by placing a metallic magnesium stick into drinking water (final hydrogen concentration; 0.55~0.65 mM). The Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's QLQ-C30 instrument was used to evaluate global health status and QOL. The concentration of derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites and biological antioxidant power in the peripheral blood were assessed.ResultsThe consumption of hydrogen-rich water for 6 weeks reduced reactive oxygen metabolites in the blood and maintained blood oxidation potential. QOL scores during radiotherapy were significantly improved in patients treated with hydrogen-rich water compared to patients receiving placebo water. There was no difference in tumor response to radiotherapy between the two groups.ConclusionsDaily consumption of hydrogen-rich water is a potentially novel, therapeutic strategy for improving QOL after radiation exposure. Consumption of hydrogen-rich water reduces the biological reaction to radiation-induced oxidative stress without compromising anti-tumor effects.

Influence of redox potential of different water quality on the human blood

“…Consumption of such water improves the quality of life of patients during radiation therapy of liver [12]. It can complement traditional therapy in rheumatoid arthritis [13], chronic hepatitis B [14], Parkinson's disease [15] and atherosclerosis [16] due to reduction of oxidative stress.…”

Physico-Chemical, Biological and Therapeutic Characteristics of Electrolyzed Reduced Alkaline Water (ERAW)

“…Kang et al have also published a study about the efficiency of treating this using MSW [51]. The investigation was conducted on 49 patients suffering from cancer of the liver.…”

Hydrogen-rich water revealed benefits in controlling the physical and mechanical performances of cement mortar

“…Additionally, molecular hydrogen-rich water can also be produced by mixing of metallic aluminium with calcium hydroxide and water [41]. The hydrogen-rich water possesses a unique potential to suppress the several human diseases [39][40][41][42]. Additionally, it is considered to be a therapeutic medicine, which has antioxidant properties and can reduce inflammatory events in tissues [39,40].…”

“…In this investigation, the hydrogen-rich water was produced by mixing of magnesium hydride (MgH 2 ) and silicon hydride (SiH 4 ) with water. Usually, Mg can be used for the production of hydrogen-rich water [39,40]. Additionally, molecular hydrogen-rich water can also be produced by mixing of metallic aluminium with calcium hydroxide and water [41].…”