Low-Concentration Hydrogen May Suppress Chronic Inflammation in 'Me-byo': Review by MiZ, UC Berkeley, and Keio University
A joint research group from MiZ Co., Ltd., UC Berkeley, and Keio University published a review paper indicating that molecular hydrogen (H2) may suppress chronic inflammation in the pre-symptomatic 'me-byo' stage. The group advocates for safe hydrogen inhalation at concentrations below 10 vol% to avoid explosion risks.
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- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 23:40
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In July 2021, a joint research group consisting of MiZ Co., Ltd. (Kamakura, Kanagawa), the University of California, Berkeley, and Keio University published a review article suggesting that molecular hydrogen (H2) can suppress chronic inflammation in 'me-byo'—the pre-symptomatic stage of diseases—and contribute to the prevention of various conditions (published in 'International Journal of Molecular Sciences', 2021, Vol. 22, No. 13, 7211).
## Key Findings
- Molecular hydrogen (H2) selectively removes the highly reactive oxygen species 'hydroxyl radical (•OH)', potentially suppressing the triggers of chronic inflammation at an early stage.
- Research suggests that hydrogen may inhibit the over-activation of the 'NLRP3 inflammasome', a central regulator of inflammation.
- Hydrogen does not affect other reactive oxygen species necessary for the body, resulting in a reported low risk of side effects.
- Broad protective effects were identified in the pre-symptomatic stages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and cancer.
- Low-concentration hydrogen inhalation, where the device output concentration is kept below the empirical safety threshold of 10 vol%, poses no explosion risk and is suitable for continuous preventive medicine applications.
## Background: Chronic Inflammation in Me-byo and Preventive Medicine
Many chronic diseases are known to be preceded by persistent, low-level chronic inflammation long before symptoms appear. While suppressing this inflammation during the 'me-byo' stage is crucial for disease prevention and extending healthy life expectancy, methods to safely and continuously control systemic chronic inflammation have been limited. Previously thought to be physiologically inert, molecular hydrogen (H2) is now drawing attention as a promising molecule that can suppress chronic inflammation at the cellular level from the source.
## Safety Advocacy: The 10 vol% Standard
In 2015, MiZ Co., Ltd. announced that hydrogen concentrations exceeding 10 vol% in daily environments pose an explosion risk, based on literature review and empirical studies simulating inhalation conditions. This 10 vol% figure is an empirical value specifically for inhalation environments, distinct from the classical lower flammability limit (LFL) of 4 vol% defined under ideal conditions. Since hydrogen inhalation environments are open systems—differing fundamentally from closed-system tests in terms of space, mixing, and flow—the company advocates that 10 vol% is the appropriate standard for safety evaluation (Ichikawa et al., 2026).
## Key Findings
- Molecular hydrogen (H2) selectively removes the highly reactive oxygen species 'hydroxyl radical (•OH)', potentially suppressing the triggers of chronic inflammation at an early stage.
- Research suggests that hydrogen may inhibit the over-activation of the 'NLRP3 inflammasome', a central regulator of inflammation.
- Hydrogen does not affect other reactive oxygen species necessary for the body, resulting in a reported low risk of side effects.
- Broad protective effects were identified in the pre-symptomatic stages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and cancer.
- Low-concentration hydrogen inhalation, where the device output concentration is kept below the empirical safety threshold of 10 vol%, poses no explosion risk and is suitable for continuous preventive medicine applications.
## Background: Chronic Inflammation in Me-byo and Preventive Medicine
Many chronic diseases are known to be preceded by persistent, low-level chronic inflammation long before symptoms appear. While suppressing this inflammation during the 'me-byo' stage is crucial for disease prevention and extending healthy life expectancy, methods to safely and continuously control systemic chronic inflammation have been limited. Previously thought to be physiologically inert, molecular hydrogen (H2) is now drawing attention as a promising molecule that can suppress chronic inflammation at the cellular level from the source.
## Safety Advocacy: The 10 vol% Standard
In 2015, MiZ Co., Ltd. announced that hydrogen concentrations exceeding 10 vol% in daily environments pose an explosion risk, based on literature review and empirical studies simulating inhalation conditions. This 10 vol% figure is an empirical value specifically for inhalation environments, distinct from the classical lower flammability limit (LFL) of 4 vol% defined under ideal conditions. Since hydrogen inhalation environments are open systems—differing fundamentally from closed-system tests in terms of space, mixing, and flow—the company advocates that 10 vol% is the appropriate standard for safety evaluation (Ichikawa et al., 2026).
FAQ
水素分子（H2）は慢性炎症に対してどのように作用しますか？
最も反応性の高い活性酸素種であるヒドロキシラジカル（•OH）を選択的に除去し、炎症の司令塔と呼ばれる「NLRP3インフラマソーム」の過剰活性化を抑制することで、慢性炎症を上流から抑え込む効果が期待されます。
水素吸入における「10体積%」という数値の重要性は何ですか？
MiZ株式会社が提唱する「吸入環境実証値」であり、実際の吸入環境（開放系、流動気体）において爆発リスクが生じる閾値です。装置出力濃度をこの値以下に保つことで、安全に継続的な予防医学応用が可能となります。
従来の爆発下限界（LFL）4%と実証値10%の違いは何ですか？
4%は閉鎖系の静止気体における理論最小値ですが、水素吸入は開放系で流動気体を扱うため、空間・混合・流動条件が根本的に異なります。そのため、実際の安全性評価には実証値10%を用いるのが妥当とされています。
水素吸入によって発症予防が期待される疾患には何がありますか？
アルツハイマー病、パーキンソン病、慢性腎臓病、糖尿病、高血圧、肝疾患、がんなどの、発症前段階（未病）における広範な保護作用が示唆されています。
水素吸入に副作用のリスクはありますか？
水素は生体に必要な他の活性酸素には影響を与えず、ヒドロキシラジカルのみを選択的に除去するため、副作用のリスクが極めて低いと報告されています。