To All-Something for the backburner
by Phoebe Chow, N.D.
Alive #156/Page 26-27 (Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition)
Healthy cells need oxygen. Most infections occur because of the invasion of anaerobes
that do not thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.
Deprivation of oxygen to the body, for example through polluted air, sedentary lifestyle or
junk food diet which require a lot of oxygenation for elimination, encourages anaerobic
microbes to proliferate. Over-growth of harmful microbes will lead to breakdown of
enzymatic reactions, overload of metabolic wastes and ultimately cell death.
Under similar anaerobic conditions, cells tend to mutate to more primitive life forms,
turning from aerobic to anaerobic respiration for energy synthesis. Nobel prize winner
Dr. Otto Warburg in 1928 demonstrated that the primary cause of cancer is the
replacement of oxygen in the respiratory chemistry of normal cells by the fermentation of
sugar. The growth of cancer cells is a fermentation process which can be initiated only
in the relative absence of oxygen.
Ozone is one of nature's most powerful oxidants. It is used in water purification and
sewage treatment and is now being applied medically in Europe to treat everything from
wounds and colitis to cancer, stroke and AIDS. Yes, the same ozone in the atmospheric
layer that is responsible for shielding off ultra-violet light from the sun and oxidizing the
pollutants in the air can be produced from medical oxygen via electrical discharge. It is
administered as an ozone/oxygen (O3/O2) gas mixture. According to the dosage and
concentration range, medical ozone is a pharmaceutical agent that exerts specific
properties and a well-defined range of efficacy.
Properties Of Medical Ozone
At the higher range of concentration (three and a half to five per cent ozone in a
one/oxygen mixture) ozone exhibits a strong germicidal effect by oxidative destruction.
The oxidative power of ozone has proven to be effective in destroying lipidenveloped
viruses such as Epstein-Barr, herpes, cytomegalovirus and viruses that causes
hepatitis. One recent study indicates that ozone treatment was 97 to 100 per cent
effective in destroying HIV in vitro. (Journal Of American Society Of Hematology,
October 1, 1992).
At concentrations below approximately three and a half per cent, the three main
restitution properties of ozone can be observed by its oxidative influence on the oxygen
metabolism, the induction of specific enzymes and the activation of immunocompetent
cells. It is these systemic influences of ozone that cause it to be such a potent
therapeutic tool, because most of the diseases affecting humans today can be traced to
diminishing levels of oxygen and a compromised immune system.
Ozone Improves Oxygen Metabolism
Ozone improves the delivery of oxygen to hypoxic tissues, as well as reactivating the
oxygen metabolism of cells. The mechanisms of these systemic actions involve both
direct and indirect processes.
Ozone directly changes the electric charges of the erythrocyte membrance increasing
the flexibility and plasticity of the erythrocytes, thus enhancing the flow properties of the
blood and the transport of oxygen to the cells and tissues. This is especially applicable
in arterial occlusion disease whereby "pile of coins" erythrocyte formation is typical. The
indirect mechanism consists of ozonolysis, ie the ionizing reaction of ozone with the
unsaturated fatty acids in the cellular membrane producing peroxides.
It must be pointed out that ozone behaves as an ion, not a free radical under normal
physiologial blood pH and therefore no radical chain reaction occurs to cause oxidative
damage. The reaction activates the enzyme 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in
hemoglobin to release oxygen. This is of particular importance to diabetics in which
2,3-DPG is depressed.
Ozone Induces Specific Enzymes
The formation of short-lived peroxides at the membrane are injected into the cell and are
removed by the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Therefore, it is recommended to
supplement with vitamin E, N-acetyl-cysteine and selenium during ozone therapy to
support the glutathione detoxification system. In addition, the enhancement of the
glycolysis enzymatic pathway results in an increase in adenosine triphosphate
production (energy currency of the cell).
This is significant in the management of stroke and burns. The elevation of adenosine
triphosphate synthesis will decrease perifocal edema formed in the injured site
minimizing tissue necrosis and subsequent scarring. But this is effective only when
ozone is administered within the first 24 to 48 hours. In Germany, many ambulances are
equipped with ozone and it is injected intravenously in patients who have just suffered a
stroke.
Ozone Activates Immune Systems
It is well documented that ozone can activate monocyte and lymphocytes, and induce the
production of and array of cytokines such as interleukin, interferon, tumor-necrosis
factor. (The Journal of International Medical Research 1994). Its ability to elicit
endogenous production of cytokines and its lack of toxicity make ozone an
indispensable therapeutic modality since today's most devastating diseases are
characterized by immunodepression such as chronic viral diseases cancer and AIDS.
Of course, restoration of the immune system depends on a total approach of
detoxification, lifestyle modification and supportive therapies.
Route Of Administration
There are several ways to administer ozone, depending upon the condition being
treated. Autohemotherapy, which involves bland treatment ex vivo of blood with ozone
and prompt reinfusion into the donor, is the most popular procedure among German
physicians. Other methods include direct infusion of a gaseous ozone/oxygen mixture
either intravenously, or intra-arterially (particularly in critical limbs ischemia).
It has been proven that even direct delivery of ozone into the blood vessels has very low
risk factors. No air which contains nitrogen ever enters the body, so an air embolus
cannot occur. Colorectal insufflation of ozone/oxygen, much like an enema, has been
used to treat colitis, fistula and colon cancer. Ozone is also excellent for topical
treatment of infected wounds, ulcers, and burns, especially those that are difficult to heal.
Therapeutic Indication
The modern development of ozone application in medicine began in the 1950s in
Europe and gradually spread throughout Europe to Australia, Israel, Cuba, Brazil and
Columbia. As far back as World War I, ozone was used medically to treat wounds and
other infections. Over 5000 physicians worldwide routinely use ozone in their medical
practice.
I have personally used ozone in my own practice and found it to be an effective therapy.
When it is incorporated into a holistic approach of cleansing there is virtually no known
side effect of ozone treatment if it is applied properly. However, since ozone therapy is
dose-dependent, it should be administered with supervision.
Specific therapeutic applications of ozone include the treatment of vascular disease
such as stroke, obstructive arteriopathy, venous insufficiency, cancer, acute and chronic
viral diseases, ulcers, infected wounds, gangrenes, burns, inflammatory bowel disease
such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and spinal disc problems.
It is also used in dentistry as a disinfectant and in pediatrics for the treatment of viral and
bacterial infections of the intestines. In geriatrics, its principal indication is in circulatory
disorders. In particular the increase of oxygen supply to the brain is of great benefit.
Ozone, with all its miraculous properties and accompanied by its lack of toxicity, is
undoubtedly an important tool in medicine. It is an unusual double-edged sword. It
defends the body via its stimulation of the immune system and at the same time it
improves oxygenation and metabolism. I do believe that ozone deserves a place in the
management of health and disease. It is up to us, patients and physicians, to demand
access to this wonderful healing substance. |
