Oral administration of molecular hydrogen via hydrogen-generating minerals significantly reduced body fat percentage and arm fat index while decreasing serum triglycerides and improving insulin sensitivity in overweight middle-aged women over 4 weeks. These findings suggest that H2 may be a beneficial therapeutic agent for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders and insulin resistance, though larger clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and establish optimal dosing protocols.
Plain-Language Summary
This small study tested whether molecular hydrogen (a gas with potential health benefits) could help overweight middle-aged women improve their body composition and metabolism. Ten women took either hydrogen-generating mineral capsules or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind crossover trial. The hydrogen group showed reductions in body fat percentage and arm fat, along with improvements in triglycerides (a type of blood fat) and insulin levels, while the placebo group did not.
Abstract
Background: Molecular hydrogen (H2) effectively treats obesity-related disorders in animal models, yet no studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of H2 for improving biomarkers of obesity in humans. Aim: In this double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial, we evaluated the effects of H2 intervention on body composition, hormonal status, and mitochondrial function in ten (n = 10) middle-aged overweight women. Methods: Volunteers received either hydrogen-generating minerals (supplying ~6 ppm of H2 per day) or placebo by oral administration of caplets for 4 weeks. The primary end-point of treatment efficacy was the change in the body fat percentage from baseline to 4 weeks. In addition, assessment of other body composition indices, screening laboratory studies, and evaluation of side effects were performed before and at follow-up. Clinical trial registration www.clinicaltrials.gov , ID number NCT02832219. Results: No significant differences were observed between treatment groups for changes in weight, body mass index, and body circumferences at 4-week follow-up (P > 0.05). H2 treatment significantly reduced body fat percentage (3.2 vs. 0.9%, P = 0.05) and arm fat index (9.7 vs. 6.0%, P = 0.01) compared to placebo administration, respectively. This was accompanied by a significant drop in serum triglycerides after H2 intervention comparing to placebo (21.3 vs. 6.5%; P = 0.04), while other blood lipids remained stable during the study (P > 0.05). Fasting serum insulin levels dropped by 5.4% after H2 administration, while placebo intervention augmented insulin response by 29.3% (P = 0.01). Conclusions: It appears that orally administered H2 as a blend of hydrogen-generating minerals might be a beneficial agent in the management of body composition and insulin resistance in obesity.
