What is Ozone?
Oxygen is an element on the periodic table, consisting of a single atom surrounded by its corresponding electrons. Due to its quantum energetic state, this single oxygen atom has a high electrical potential, which is akin to a voltage. The result is that the single oxygen molecule atom searches out other molecules/atoms in order to balance the unstable quantum energetics of its single atomic electron state. This seeking of other molecules/atoms to balance its energetic state explains its high reactivity and electronic potential. Due to its high reactivity, single oxygen molecules only exist in nature for nano-fractions of a second before they react with nearly any other atom or molecule in their environment.
The air we breath contains molecular oxygen, consisting of 2 oxygen atoms. In this case of molecular oxygen, the two atoms of oxygen have balanced each other’s quantum energy states to produce the relatively stable molecule of oxygen, although this di-atomic oxygen is still reactive enough to fuel all varieties of combustion and to fuel all the energetic processes in our body. A single oxygen atom, di-atomic oxygen gas, and many other oxygen containing molecules are all are considered “oxidants” because they react with an unthinkable variety of other atoms and molecules found in nature to produce a wide variety of molecules containing oxygen, called “oxides”.
Ozone, the three atom state of oxygen, is highly reactive as well, more so than molecular oxygen, although much less so than single atom oxygen, lasting in atmospheric air or water for several minutes before it degrades to the diatomic oxygen molecule, thereby releasing the remaining single oxygen atom which then reacts almost instantly with whatever it comes across for form a wide variety of oxide substances.
Ozone has been developed as a medicine since experiments with it began in the 1950’s. Early pioneers working with ozone realized that its power as an oxidant, its power to react with other molecules in the body, could be used to great medical benefit. This started the field of oxidative medicine, which is actively researched to this day. Hydrogen peroxide, intravenous ascorbic acid, and other medicines are also used as oxidative medicines. However, ozone’s unique qualities make it the oxidative medicine of choice, in this doctor’s opinion. Ozone has a wide therapeutic window ,which means that is has a high degree of safety, avoiding the toxicity associated with other oxidative therapies, while it unique binding properties create a high degree of effectiveness in delivering the effects of the oxides (also in this case called ozonides) throughout the body.
Ozone works in the body in a number of ways. Foremost is ozone’s ability to oxidize key regulators in the mitochondria that are involved in the extraction of electronic energy from our food. One specific target for ozone is the enzyme nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a key co enzyme in the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Ozone pushes NAD towards its oxidized form, which can then promote a faster movement of electrons though the oxidative phosphorylation chain in the mitochondria. More electron movement means more cellular energy. More electron movement means more oxygen consumption, and a higher rate of metabolism. Indeed, this increased cellular energy, originating from the mitochondria, along with its corresponding increase in oxygen consumption and metabolic rate, describes one of the key end results, and perhaps the ultimate end result, of ozone therapy.
The cells in a chronic disease state are often starved of energy. Research has shown that chronic disease produces a downward spiral of metabolic events, the end result of which is a decreasing ability of the cells to extract the electronic energy from food in the mitochondria. This can be measured clinically by oxygen consumption, and the efficiency with which the body uses oxygen and converts it into energy. Many clinicians consider this oxygen consumption, and oxygen efficiency, as a key functional gauge of a patient’s severity of disease.
Giving the cells more ability to consume oxygen, and to harvest electrons, though the mitochondria, gives the cells in a chronic disease state a higher degree of energy. With more cellular energy, the cells have an increased ability to heal. Metabolically diseased cells that have persisted for years can return to their optimal state of health by enhancing their ability to use electrons and oxygen; the innate health producing genetic program now has an opportunity to be restored. Contrary to popular belief, ozone therapy doesn’t work by providing oxygen directly; through oxidation it alters the energetics of key enzymes in the mitochondria that then make is possible for the cell to utilize more electronic energy, an therefore consume more oxygen.
A secondary effect of ozone therapy is the formation of regulating and signaling molecules for the immune system. Just as the ozone oxidizes key regulatory molecules for the mitochondria, ozone also oxidizes key molecules that regulate the function of the immune system, also known as cytokines. In chronic autoimmunity, or immune dysfunction of any kind, ozone can work with body’s innate intelligence to modulate the regulatory molecules of the immune system. In chronic immune system dysfunction, including low immunity and autoimmune diseases of every kind, ozone can prove to be an indispensable tool.
Ozone, administered in the appropriate dose, oxidizes the signaling molecules of the immune system and the mitochondria, as explained above, acting as an oxidant, but a mild enough oxidant to work with the body not against it. When ozone is given in the appropriate dose, it is sufficiently strong to oxidize the key signaling molecules of the body, but not so strong that it overwhelms the body’s innate antioxidant system. Moreover, research has shown that ozone can actually increase the body’s antioxidant response, in a process known as upregulation. This means that giving ozone can actually increase your body’s anti-oxidant capacity, producing a protective effects against oxidative stress of every kind. This increase in anti-oxidant capacity also increases the body’s innate system of detoxification.
In addition to the above effects, ozone’s oxidative effects and immune signaling effects make it an excellent weapon against microorganisms in infectious disease. While the body is equipped to handle the oxidative stress imposed by a carefully selected dose of ozone, many microorganisms that cause disease are not qualified to handle this stress. Therefore ozone can effectively and safety eradicate disease casing microorganisms in a way that is non toxic to the rest of the body, since the only byproduct to the therapy is oxygen itself.
Since ozone affects process that are so key to basic physiology, namely oxidative capacity, mitochondrial electrical potential, and immune system signaling, ozone can be used to treat the fundamental causes of a wide variety of diseases. Before disease differentiates into specific patterns, there is often a breakdown of the fundamental processes, such as a deficiency of electron movement and oxygen consumption, followed by a n immune system dysregulation and a decrease of antioxidant capacity. By addressing these root causes, ozone reveals itself as a foundational therapy, applicable to all chronic disease and aging states in general. At Vitality Integrative Medicine, we consider the use ozone therapy in the context of managing complex disease, anti-aging, and in musculoskeletal regeneration
Please schedule an appointment today to see if ozone therapy can help you in reaching your health goals.
*Ozone therapy not available to the general public.
ǂOzone Therapy Available through Private Membership Only.