I. Definition
Ozone is a gas that is naturally present in our atmosphere. An ozone molecule consists of three ozone molecules, making the chemical formula for ozone “O3”. The word ozone is derived from the Greek word “ozein”, which translates as, “to smell.” Ozone has a strong odor (you can smell it when it rains), making it easy to detect the majority of the time.
The oxygen molecules in our atmosphere are each made of two oxygen atoms. Scientists use the symbol O2 to indicate this oxygen compound. O2 makes up approximately 21% of the atmosphere we breathe. A single atom of oxygen is unstable - it wants to combine with something else. That is why oxygen is almost always found in pairs as O2.
Ozone reacts rapidly with many chemical compounds and is explosive in concentrated amounts. Electrical discharges are used to produce ozone for industrial processes such as air and water purification and bleaching of textiles and food products. It is primarily found in the stratosphere Lyer of the atmosphere which begins about 10–16 kilometers (6–10 miles) above Earth’s surface and extends up to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) altitude (NOAA 2011).
The stratospheric region with the highest ozone concentration is commonly known as the “ozone layer”. The ozone layer extends over the entire globe with variation in both altitude and thickness. Ozone molecules have a relatively low content in the atmosphere. In the stratosphere near the highest concentration of the ozone layer, there are generally a “few thousand ozone molecules for every billion air molecules (1 billion = 1,000 million).” The majority of air molecules are either oxygen or nitrogen molecules (NOAA 2010).
Although ozone can have some undesirable effects, many researchers believe it has many therapeutic effects that Cn be used to benefit mankind. The beginning of precise medical ozone generators has only recently allowed the mechanisms, action and possible toxicity of ozone to be evaluated by clinical trials (Elvis and Ekta 2011). Ozone has a capacity to oxidize organic compounds, and has well-known toxic effects on the respiratory tract when present in local air pollution. Hence, we have “ozone alert” days in which people are sometimes instructed to stay indoors. In medical use the gas produced from medical grade oxygen is administered in precise therapeutic doses, and never via inhalation, and advocates that it has “excellent health benefits in dental caries, decrease blood cholesterol and stimulation of antioxidative responses, modifies oxygenation in resting muscle and is used in complementary treatment of hypoxic and ischemic syndromes” (Elvis and Ekta 2011). This is wonderful news!
For the inactivation of bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast and protozoa, ozone therapy disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane through oxidation of the phospholipids and lipoproteins. In fungi, ozone inhibits cell growth. With viruses, ozone damages the viral “capsid” and upsets the reproductive cycle by disrupting the virus/cell contact with peroxidation. The weak enzyme coatings on cells which make them vulnerable to invasion by viruses also make them vulnerable to oxidation which breaks down this coating, and elimination from the body, which then replaces them with healthy cells (Elvis and Ekta 2011).
II. History
Medical ozone, used to disinfect and treat disease, has been around for over 150 years. Used to treat infections, wounds and multiple diseases, ozone's effectiveness has been well-documented. It has been used to disinfect drinking water before the turn of the last century. Ozone was known to treat as many as 114 diseases (Elvis and Ekta 2011)
Tesla Ozone Generator Plans:
In 1896, the genius Nikola Tesla patented the first ozone generator in the US, later forming the “Tesla Ozone Company.” (Elvis and Ekta 2011)
According to Elvis and Ekta in their 2011 review, “During the first world war (1914-18) doctors familiar with ozone's antibacterial properties, and with few other medical resources available to them applied it topically to infected wounds and discovered ozone not only remedied infection, but also had hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory properties (resource) In the late 1980s, reports had emerged that German physicians were successfully treating HIV patients with 03-AHT Autohemotherapy. There was then no pharmaceutical treatment for HIV and a pandemic was feared, so Canadian authorities authorized the study to test safety and efficacy of 03-AHT in AIDS patients. Ozone had shown promise in in vitro testing. Ozone was seen effective at disinfecting extracorporeal blood samples of HIV; unfortunately for AIDS patients, 03-AHT proved to be an in vivo ineffective treatment” (Elvis and Ekta 2011). We hope that studies of these sort continue, as we believe that ozone therapy can be very effective.
III. Current Research
Current research is revealing many aspects of the benefits of ozone, including:
Stimulation of oxygen metabolism
“Ozone therapy causes an increase in the red blood cell glycolysis rate. This leads to the stimulation of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate which leads to an increase in the amount of oxygen released to the tissues. Ozone activates the Krebs cycle by enhancing oxidative carboxylation of pyruvate, stimulating production of ATP.
It also causes a significant reduction in NADH and helps to oxidize cytochrome C. There is a stimulation of production of enzymes which act as free radical scavengers and cell-wall protectors: glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Production of prostacyline, a vasodilator, is also induced by ozone.” (Elvis and Ekta 2011) These findings are revolutionary in the world of chemistry.
Intraarticular ozone therapy for pain control in osteoarthritis of the knee
Ozone is being currently tested for its effectiveness in relieving the pain in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.
The Effect of Ozone Therapy for Lumbar-Herniated Disc
Ozone is also currently being evaluated for its efficacy infiltration and its effectiveness in comparison with “microdiscectomy” in the treatment of lumbar-herniated disc indicated for surgery. The study also evaluates the “efficacy of infiltration in presence of corticoids, anesthetics, which is being compared by replacing ozone by oxygen” (Elvis and Ekta 2011).
It has been observed that ozone is very effective in reducing the concentrations of Acinetobacter baumannii, Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and can hence it can be used as a disinfectant. (Elvis and Ekta 2011).
IV. Application to Life
Ozone is used as complimentary medicine with other conventional medical treatments. However, ozone can heal some diseases. Usual indications are infections, blood supply disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic and acute joint illnesses, including herniated discs. Ozone therapy boosts our liver’s detoxifying function hence its high effectiveness for treating fatty liver, viral hepatitis and liver disorders caused by high levels of alcohol consumption.
People under work-related stress, or those exposed to excessive physical and mental efforts are excellent candidates for ozone therapy. It has been determined that high performance athletes may greatly benefit from this therapy as it brings about a faster recovery from muscle aches. The senior population has been very responsive to the ozone therapy, as it has a favorable influence on cerebral vascular disorders often noticed by poor concentration, slow performance, an unstable gait and dizziness. Ozone therapy has been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, and in the prophylaxis of its complications. It has been shown to have anti-aging effects and is used to help regain the appearance of youth and rejuvenate the organs.
No important side effects pertaining to ozone therapy have been found unless it is inhaled. This has been demonstrated by air pollution as well as direct inhalation of ozone gas. Those found aside from inhalation are usually mild and tend to appear at the moment of the application. However, it presents contraindications that must be assessed before applying treatment. Large quantities of clinical data have been collected proving its effectiveness and safety, when used according to specific protocols (Sha Magazine 2018).
V. Conclusion
As doctors of alternative medicine, we have several different modalities that we can use to better the health of our patients.
Ozone has a potential to be an effect modality on our list for helping detoxify the body via foot or sauna treatments, or alternative potentially for antibiotic use. For instance, some doctors will ozonate coconut oil to be used as a topical application for infection. Through this project we will explore different ways of delivering ozone in a safe and effective way for different uses and treating conditions.
References:
M. Elvis and J. S. Ekta, Ozone therapy: A Clinical Review, J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2011 Jan-Jun; 2(1): 66–70.
Ozone in Our Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S Department of Commerce, 2010.
Sha Magazine, The Benefits of Ozone Therapy for Health, August 2018