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영어

As the aging population is rapidly increasing in the world, geriatric diseases such as dementia, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases, and degenerative diseases are emerging as social problems. Along with this, the prevalence of dementia is also rising rapidly. There are quite variety of diseases that can cause dementia, among which reactive oxygen species (ROS) receive attention as an etiological factor. ROS is associated with about 90% of modern diseases. It is known to be the leading cause of aging, and is closely related with cancer, diabetes, dementia, chronic diseases, etc. In 2007, Ota Shigeo research team reported that hydrogen water could selectively react with ROS such as OH-, which led to the discovery of the anti-oxidant effect of molecular hydrogen. Therapeutic effect of H2 was reported through in vivo and clinical studies including improvement of metabolic syndrome, blood-brain barrier breakdown, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral infarction, neurodegeneration, cognitive ability, dementia, and bedsores. In addition, antioxidant effect on the blood, sterilizing effect on oral bacteria, anti-fungal effect, anti-algae effect and improvement of skin troubles were also reported through hydrogen treatment. In conclusion, several studies have shown that hydrogen has excellent antioxidant effects. Moreover, studies have also shown its safety to the human body and environment. It is essential to verify the effect of H2 and to provide clinical application especially to the aging population suffering from dementia or various geriatric diseases in Korea, which is about to enter the super-aging society.