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Molecular Hydrogen for Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, and Diabetic Retinopathy

drinking hydrogen water while exercising - a seniorMolecular Hydrogen is gaining popularity as a therapy for everything from skin problems to eye disease to arthritis to cancer. Is molecular hydrogen the latest supplement craze? Or is there merit to using this therapy? Find out how it works, and look at the research.

The Smallest Molecule Has Advantages

Hydrogen is the very first molecule on the Periodic Table of Elements. As the smallest molecule, hydrogen can reach places that other molecules cannot. For example, hydrogen easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the interior of the eyes. It can also get into the smallest parts of the cells, which many other antioxidants cannot. Modular hydrogen is two molecules of hydrogen bonded to each other. Water is H2O — two molecules of hydrogen plus a molecule of oxygen. Molecular hydrogen is written as H2.

Molecular hydrogen has been studied as a therapy for over 50 years. H2 is available as tablets that you drop into water and drink. H2 can also be breathed in as a gas. A doctor can inject molecular hydrogen or provide it intravenously.

Molecular Hydrogen is a Super-Antioxidant

Due to its stability and neutral charge, molecular hydrogen is a very potent antioxidant. Antioxidants are the antidote to free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that cause damage to cells. Too many free radicals in the body cause a state of oxidative stress, contributing to the development of many common diseases.

An antioxidant stabilizes a free radical by donating an electron. This reduces the free radical’s ability to do harm. For example, the vitamin C in citrus fruit is a powerful antioxidant. However, eating more of a specific food will not harness hydrogen’s antioxidant powers. Hydrogen is already in everything you eat.

Therapeutic H2

The easiest way to add molecular hydrogen to the body is by drinking hydrogen water. You can make it at home by dissolving a small tablet into ordinary drinking water. Or, purchase a hydrogen water generator. Water already contains two molecules of hydrogen attached to one molecule of oxygen. Adding molecular hydrogen turns the water into “hydrogen water.” Follow the directions on the package, and consult with your doctor before taking any supplement.

Another way to get molecular hydrogen into the body is inhalation. Breathed straight into the lungs, this delivery method is preferred for lung problems, and heart and circulation issues. Hydrogen gas is so small that it enters the bloodstream quickly. You might use a special inhaler or molecular hydrogen generator device. This therapy can be useful for lung infections, acute COVID, “long-COVID”, allergies, heart disease, hardening of the arteries, asthma, and COPD.

In medical offices, molecular hydrogen can be given intravenously or by injection.

What the Research on Molecular Hydrogen Shows

A large body of research into H2’s benefits covers a wide range of diseases. This includes inflammatory diseases, cognitive issues, Parkinson’s disease, and metabolic syndromes. H2 has also been studied in ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injuries (damage due to stopped blood flow) in the brain, liver, myocardium, intestines, and kidneys.1 2 3

Molecular hydrogen therapy is well-studied for its effects on the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, dry eye disease, corneal diseases and retinal issues are just a few.

H2 is so tiny that it easily permeates the eyes. The eyes are especially sensitive to oxidative damage. This is why seniors often develop one or more eye diseases as they age. Preventing eye disease, and slowing its progress, are two crucial goals for seniors.

Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious eye disease that can result in vision loss. Treatment options include uncomfortable eye injections. In its advanced stages, extra blood vessels form on the retina, obscuring vision. Hydrogen gas is both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Research is underway on how H2 might suppress the growth of unwanted blood vessels in the eyes of AMD patients. The gas might also decrease the damaging blood vessel leakage. H2 appears to help reduce drusen build-up found in dry AMD.

Retinitis Pigmentosa and Molecular Hydrogen

Retinitis pigmentosa causes vision loss because the photoreceptor cells gradually die. A type of free radical plays a role in the process. Hydrogen neutralizes this specific type of free radicals, which helps protect the photoreceptors from harm.

H2 and Glaucoma

The main risk factor in glaucoma is elevated eye pressure. Therefore, the management of glaucoma is primarily focused on controlling intraocular pressure using eye drops. However, this treatment does not usually stop glaucoma’s progression and damage to the optic nerve.4 Glaucoma is a complex family of diseases. Other factors in its progression include inflammation, oxidative stress, and the accumulation of protein mutations. 5 6 Oxidative stress markers are often higher in glaucoma patients.7

Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

A traumatic injury to the eye can cause damage to the retinal ganglion cells. Also, cells can die in the retina.8 Scientists are studying whether cell death after an injury could be made worse by oxidative stress.9 An important study looked at rats with traumatic eye injuries. The researchers found that hydrogen helped the retinal cells survive. It also enhanced visual function recovery.10

Cataracts

The usual treatment for cataracts is surgery. The eye doctor replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial one. However, a study indicates that hydrogen could be an alternative therapy for cataracts.11 In animal testing, hydrogen slowed cataract formation. Classic theories suggest that free radical damage plays a vital role in starting cataract formation.12

Diabetic Retinopathy

Given that diabetes rates are on the rise, the rate of diabetic retinopathy is also increasing.13 Patients with diabetes have a 1 in 4 chance of getting this eye disease. Oxidative stress is considered to be an important factor in diabetic retinopathy because it starts breaking down the blood-retinal barrier. 14 15 16 This barrier damage starves the retina of nutrients. It also stops filtering out toxins efficiently.17

Corneal Injury and Dry Eye Disease

Doctors have started testing molecular hydrogen on patients with dry eye disease. They are also looking into H2 for corneal endothelial injuries. So far, the treatment looks beneficial.18 For example, alkaline chemicals, such as sparklers, dishwasher powders, and fertilizers, can do significant damage when they get into the eyes. Scientists are researching a molecular hydrogen-enriched irrigation solution to minimize the damage to the eyes from alkaline burns.19

Conclusion

After half a century of interest in molecular hydrogen as a therapy, the research is promising. Hydrogen’s small size and strong antioxidant properties mean that molecular hydrogen is much more than a fad. You can make hydrogen water on demand using an over-the-counter additive or machine. H2 water can replace the water you drink throughout the day. Or, breathe in molecular hydrogen using a special inhaler or molecular hydrogen generator device. The antioxidants will help your body fight free radicals and reduce the effects of aging.

Suggested Supplements

H2 Elite Molecular Hydrogen 60 tabs (QS4703)

ACG Glutathione EXTRA STRENGTH Spray 2oz.

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Vitamin C Plant-Based Formula – 60 caps


Dr. Grossman’s Premium Turmeric Vcaps (Organic)

Discounted Packages

Advanced Eye & Vision Support & Meso Plus Formula with Astaxanthin (3-mo. Combo)


Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi120 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply

Recommended Books

Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing

Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Other Related Diseases Naturally

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