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🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

Unregistered Hydrogen Inhalers Flood Malaysian Market, Expert Warns

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Unregistered hydrogen inhalers, making unverified health claims, are increasingly available in Malaysia, with prices ranging from RM7,000 to RM8,000.
  • Sellers market these devices for various ailments, including chronic diseases and vision problems, with some offering roadshows and installment plans.
  • Public health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh cautions against using these new, untested devices, noting a lack of long-term studies on their safety and efficacy.

A surge of unregistered hydrogen inhalers is appearing in Malaysia, with sellers making bold, unverified claims about their ability to treat a range of conditions, from eye spas to chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Most of my clients are seniors, and I offer instalments for those who cannot fork out RM7,000 in one go to help ease their or their children’s financial burdens.

— SellerA seller of hydrogen inhalers explaining his sales strategy.

These devices, priced between RM7,000 and RM8,000, allow users to inhale hydrogen gas, purported to cleanse the lungs. Some models include eye goggles for vision ailments and can also produce hydrogen-rich drinking water. Sellers are actively promoting them through online platforms and roadshows, where potential buyers can try the machines for a small fee. Installment plans are also offered to ease the financial burden.

I have had clients, including cancer and kidney patients, who felt instantly fresh and well after a session.

— SellerA seller of hydrogen inhalers describing alleged patient benefits.

One seller claimed that daily use could "refresh" the body, citing cancer and kidney patients who reported feeling instantly better after a session. He also stated that vision problems improved within an hour. However, a check on the Medical Device Authority (MDA) website found no record of the product's registration, despite the seller's assertion.

Hydrogen inhalers are new wellness ‘technologies’ that claim they can be used for hydrogen inhalation while also producing hydrogen water. Claims include their use as antioxidant therapy to supposedly improve the immune system, energy and stamina while promoting overall health and wellness.

— Sharifa Ezat Wan PutehPublic health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh describing the purported benefits of hydrogen inhalers.

Public health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh strongly advises caution regarding these devices. She described them as new wellness "technologies" with uncertain benefits and a lack of long-term safety studies. While Japan has some experience with hydrogen inhalation therapy, it remains largely in the research phase and is not an established medical treatment. Sharifa Ezat warned that claims of miraculous cures might be untrue and consumers should be wary, as the devices may offer no benefit at all.

These machines are new and cost a lot, but their effects are not known explicitly.

— Sharifa Ezat Wan PutehPublic health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh on the uncertainty surrounding hydrogen inhalers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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