Consumption of hydrogen water prevents atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice

Ikuroh Ohsawa^{a, b}, Kiyomi Nishimaki^a, Kumi Yamagata^a, Masahiro Ishikawa^a and Shigeo Ohta^{a, ,}

^aDepartment of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Development and Aging Sciences, Nippon Medical School, 1-396 Kosugi-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-8533, Japan

^bThe Center of Molecular Hydrogen Medicine, Institute of Development and Aging Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Kawasaki 211-8533, Japan

Received 16 October 2008. 

Available online 6 November 2008.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is implicated in atherogenesis; however most clinical trials with dietary antioxidants failed to show marked success in preventing atherosclerotic diseases. We have found that hydrogen (dihydrogen; H₂) acts as an effective antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress [I. Ohsawa, M. Ishikawa, K. Takahashi, M. Watanabe, K. Nishimaki, K. Yamagata, K. Katsura, Y. Katayama, S, Asoh, S. Ohta, Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals, Nat. Med. 13 (2007) 688–694]. Here, we investigated whether drinking H₂-dissolved water at a saturated level (H₂–water) ad libitum prevents arteriosclerosis using an apolipoprotein E knockout mouse (apoE^−/−), a model of the spontaneous development of atherosclerosis. ApoE^−/− mice drank H₂–water ad libitum from 2 to 6 month old throughout the whole period. Atherosclerotic lesions were significantly reduced by ad libitum drinking of H₂–water (p = 0.0069) as judged by Oil-Red-O staining series of sections of aorta. The oxidative stress level of aorta was decreased. Accumulation of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions was confirmed. Thus, consumption of H₂-dissolved water has the potential to prevent arteriosclerosis.

Keywords: Antioxidant; ApoE; Arteriosclerosis; Atherogenesis; Dihydrogen; Lifestyle-related disease; Macrophage; Molecular hydrogen; Oxidative stress; Preventive medicine

Artesian Water: Water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand) in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer. Rich in minerals. Great for use with Hydrogen Water Sticks.

Spring Water: Water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Generally rich in minerals. Great for use with Hydrogen Water Sticks.

Purified Water: Water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes. Lacking important minerals. Process often necessary to clean local tap water. Strongly suggest adding ionized minerals back into water for use with Hydrogen Water Stick and normal everyday usage.

Distilled Water: Water that has been vaporized into steam, then cooled to re-condense it back into water. The water’s minerals are left behind, leaving only pure tasting steam-distilled water. Lacking important minerals. Process often necessary to clean local tap water. Strongly suggest adding ionized minerals back into water for use with Hydrogen Water Stick and normal everyday usage.

Tap Water: Varies from region to town to town. Be sure to filter Chlorine and Fluoride with good filters. If you don't know what Chlorine and Fluoride can do to you, try Googling the words; tones of reading material on the internet.

Mineral Water: Water that contains no less than 250 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS).

Sterile Water: Water, also known as sterilized water, that meets the requirements under Sterility Tests, in the United States Pharmacopeia, 23d revision.

Carbonated water products (soda water, seltzer water, sparkling water, and tonic water) are considered soft drinks and are not regulated as bottled water.
 

We have and believe in an RO system to purify our water. Interested in the hydrogen stick but your web site tells us that it won't work with mineral-deprived water.  Can we still use our RO system, and just add mineral drops to the water to enable the stick to work?

from Martin

Hi Martin,

Sorry for the delay, we had to discuss this topic several times.

We have been stating, NO RO WATER, because we want people to get the maximum benefit from their hydrogen water sticks.

However, real life situations apply here. Our typical drinking water source is so bad and with bottle water being so shady and environmentally wrong that a lot of people are using RO water from a home source.

So, we're going to adapt our stance.

RO water is ok to use, but consider adding minerals back into the water.

Please strongly consider using only high quality Ionic Minerals. We have seen interesting formulas containing 84 minerals unrefined and still containing 70 natural trace elements. This was being offered in a concentrate of approximately 4000 parts per million (ppm).

Sorry for any confusion, but please understand optimum health and a quality product is always #1 here.

Best regards

I pre-washed my Hydrogen Water Stick as suggested, but it is now floating in my water bottle.

from Dave

Dear Dave,

You need to understand that these sticks produce Hydrogen, which is a gas. If you look closely you will see the Hydrogen Water Sticks are covered in a microporous material.

When you first used the Hydrogen Water Sticks, the patented unique microporous sintered polypropylene cover was somewhat dry, thereby trapping bubbles in the microporous material.  This will cause the sticks to float.

As the sticks become more saturated with water, the hydrogen gas bubbles are released and the sticks sink to the bottom. From time to time, the Hydrogen Water Sticks might float again; this is nothing to be concerned about.

Floating or sinking the Hydrogen Water Stick is working. You can't stop them from working once they are activated.

This Hydrogen Water Stick will also bubble more at times than others. It will never bubble like an alkselzer tablet. The reaction is much more subtle.

How does my body use Alkaline water if the stomach is acidic, pH 2 or less?

from Ted H.

Dear Tedt,

It is important to remember that large amounts of hydrochloric acid are present in the stomach primarily when food is there. There is only a small amount of acid in stomach when it is empty, and this can be easily overcome when alkaline electron-rich water is consumed. Therefore, in order to gain maximum benefit, we recommend drinking alkaline water in between meals.

Water consumed between meals will very quickly pass through the stomach and the GI tract.

Will the Hydrogen Water Stick remove the fluoride from tap water?

from Ott

Dear Ott,

Great question. We haven't addressed this in much detail, on the website .

The Hydrogen Water Stick will remove "some" fluoride from your tap water, but that is not really our mission. Our mission to provide you with convenient and portable Hydrogen Rich Water.

Removing fluoride from tap water requires a proper filter designed to do just that - remove  fluoride. The nice thing about getting the proper water filter; the same water filter will usually remove chorine as well.

We don't directly sell water filters, but if you contact us we can provide you with a link to the company we use. They come in many configurations; counter-top, under-the-sink and whole house units.

Please also remember to clean your Hydrogen Water Stick monthly.

Will the Hydrogen Water Stick change color or indicate in some way that the 6 months is up?

from Mei Mei

Dear Mei Mei,

Great question. We haven't addressed this on the website in much detail.

No the Hydrogen Water Stick will not change color at six months. There will be a visible difference in the stick, the hydrogen gas bubbles will stop. But this indicator is very often misinterpreted by people. The Hydrogen Water Stick have been thoroughly tested and we have found that six months is a good time to change sticks.

We are considering sending customer emails at the end of six months, to remind them; should our customers request this feature.

Please also remember to clean your Hydrogen Water Stick monthly.

Can the Hydrogen Water Stick be left in the refrigerator?

from Mei Mei

Dear Mei Mei,

No, you can not leave the Hydrogen Water Stick in the refrigerator, it will slow down the hydrogen rich water process. You will find most experts agree that water should be consumed at room temperature for maximum health benefits and detoxification. Cold water slows down the metabolic process of the body. It's funny, we (Americans) are about the only people, that drink refrigerated water

Can the hydrogen water stick be put into a plastic pouring pitcher with lid?

from Mei Mei

Dear Mei Mei,

There is a simple test.

Turn the pitcher upside down, filled with water, for a few minutes,

If it does not leak, then it is good for use.

As always, we would like to remind you that your source water and your choice of water bottle are two very important factors in producing Hydrogen Rich Water.

Is it possible to ruin a Hydrogen Water Stick?

from Linda H.

Dear Linda,

There are five things that can ruin a Hydrogen Water Stick.

• Using the Hydrogen Water Stick with anything but water or dirty water.
• Using the Hydrogen Water Stick with hot water.
• Not cleaning the stick.
• Letting the stick dry out.
• Microwaves - never ever