What is Ozone?

Ozone is a colourless gas consisting of three oxygen atoms and is written as O3. It is different from the O2 form that we breathe in all the time. Ozone was discovered in the mid-19th century and since then it has been widely studied and used in a range of applications. In nature, Ozone is present in very small quantities, with the highest concentration being in the Ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere. This layer is about 20km above the surface of the earth and protects us by absorbing most of the sun’s UV radiation.

In the early days of its discovery, Ozone was considered a desirable component of a healthy outdoor atmosphere, probably because of its “fresh” and invigorating odour. This eventually led to Ozone being extensively used as an industrial disinfectant and decontaminant, for example, in laundries, swimming pools, cooling towers, water supplies, food processing and fabric bleaching.

What is Ozone used for in medicine?

The study of Ozone as a medical therapy has been ongoing since its discovery. It was shown quite early on that it is an irritant when breathed in directly as a gas, however, in small quantities at low concentrations, it has some promising effects.

Cleansing and disinfecting wounds – Ozone has been used topically for over 100 years to disinfect and treat wounds. It has demonstrated an impact on diabetic foot ulcers, by reducing inflammation, closing wounds and lowering the risk of infection.

Stimulating the production of red blood cells – Ozone therapy produces an increase in the production of red blood cells, which in turn leads to an increase in the volume of oxygen available to the body’s tissues.

Activating the immune system – studies have shown that Ozone administration causes an increase in the production of interferon, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-2. These substances are key factors in a healthy immune system, ensuring that it can deal with viruses and tackle cell proliferation and tumour growth.

Deactivating unhealthy processes in the body – research has shown that Ozone therapy can attack and deactivate unwelcome invaders, including bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi and protozoa. This has a positive effect on the immune system and allows the body to recover faster.

Treating viral infections – Ozone has been used to treat HIV, having been shown to reduce the viral load of patients with HIV. Ozone therapy has also been studied in other viral diseases, including SARS, as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medicine.

Cancer treatment regimens – Ozone therapy in combination with chemotherapy has been shown to deliver synergistic effects in breast and colon cancers.

Is Ozone therapy suitable for me?

If you are interested in Ozone therapy for any of the benefits mentioned here, please contact your medical team here at Wellbeing Medical Group for a discussion.