Ozone Therapy

As part of our new IV nutrient room, we at Prairie Sky Integrative Health are excited to offer ozone therapy, also known as major autohemotherapy (MAH).

What is Ozone Therapy?

Oxygen is the life-giving nutrient that is essential for every function of the body.  The utilization of oxygen in the body is paramount to how we feel.  As we age, the ability for our body to use oxygen efficiently decreases, causing the cells to be oxygen deprived.  As a result, cell function decreases, and an increased number of free radicals are formed.  The formation of free radicals is responsible for aging and disease production.

Ozone is an unstable gas made up of three oxygen molecules (O3).  When administered into a small amount of blood (approximately 250 mL) through IV, the instability of ozone allows it to be easily broken down into oxygen and free radicals in a process known as oxidation.  This reaction occurs immediately upon exposure to the blood, causing the blood to be super oxygenated.  As mentioned above, free radical formation contributes to disease; however, the small amount caused by ozone exposure actually enhances health.  Read more to find out how!

What effects does ozone have on the body?

 Immune Support

Ozone therapy supports the immune system by increasing the production of immune messengers called cytokines.  These immune messengers recruit immune cells and increases white blood cell production, which enhances the immune response to fight infection more efficiently and to balance the immune response in regard to autoimmunity.

In addition, ozone therapy has been shown to increase anti-inflammatory cytokines making ozone therapy effective at reducing overall systemic inflammation.

Infection

In addition to the increased immune response, ozone therapy is effective at treating bacterial, viral, and fungal infections by having a direct anti-pathogenic action.

Antioxidant Capacity

The transient, and moderate oxidative stress that ozone causes upon initial exposure to blood, initiates a cascade of reactions ultimately leading to the significant increase in antioxidant production by the tissues in our body.  One of these antioxidants is glutathione, the “master antioxidant”.  Glutathione is the strongest antioxidant and is involved in recycling and restoring other antioxidants in our body such as selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and alpha-lipoic-acid.  In turn, the antioxidants protect cells and tissues from free radical damage, which are involved in premature aging and the development of many diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Energy Enhancement and Tissue Oxygenation

 Ozone therapy increases the metabolism of the red blood cells allowing them to carry and release oxygen to tissue more efficiently.  Furthermore, ozone therapy dilatates blood vessels, increasing the availability of oxygen to the tissues.  The body’s energy is produced in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), by tiny ‘energy factories’ called mitochondria.  Mitochondria are found in every tissue and in every cell of the body.  Oxygen is an essential ingredient for the production of ATP.  Read more about the role of mitochondria here.  Increased oxygenation of tissues allows for optimal cell function and more efficient energy production.  Because the body’s energy production is fundamental to the function of every tissue and organ in the body, better oxygenation and cell function leads to better recovery after exercise, less inflammation, better energy and mental clarity.

What conditions is ozone therapy effective for?

 Due to the above effects on the body, ozone therapy is an effective treatment for the following:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, Colitis, IBS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Acute and Chronic Fatigue
• Arthritis and pain
• Premature aging and preventative aging
• Immunodeficiency
• Autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus
• Allergies
• Athletic performance and endurance
• Wound healing
• Circulatory disorders, heart disease
• Acute infections like colds, flus, dental or skin infections
• Chronic infections like Hepatitis, Epstein-Barr, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex and Zoster, Lyme, Streptococcal and Staphylococcal infections and Candidiasis

Is Ozone Therapy safe?

Ozone therapy is extremely safe.  Numerous studies have proven its safety with little known side effects.  Ozone has no known toxicity except to the lungs.  Ozone is toxic to the lungs and should not be inhaled.

I’m interested in getting Ozone Therapy, what do I do next?

 Give our reception team a call to book in for an IV consult with Dr. Marika Geis or Dr. Allison Ziegler.  We would love to chat with you more about how ozone therapy can benefit you!