Ozone (O3) is a chemically unstable gas consisting of 3 atoms of Oxygen and is a potent anti-oxidant. This is in comparison to oxygen (O2) that we breathe which is a very stable gas and has only 2 atoms of oxygen.  Because Ozone is made up of 3 atoms of oxygen this property makes it unstable, very reactive and makes it useful for medical treatments.  Ozone really wants to achieve a more stable form by “giving away” its additional oxygen atom in a process called oxidation. The free oxygen atom has the ability to combine with and alter other substances and tissues in the body and is the basis for ozone’s medical properties. The medical use of ozone dates back to 1871. In WWI ozone was used to treat infections from wounds but it was not until the 1960’s. Ozone therapy is a treatment increasingly used for various diseases in medicine and veterinary. Most research and publications on the use of ozone in veterinary medicine are on large animals, however the use of ozone in dogs and cats has grown exponentially in the last decade.

 

What does Ozone do in the body? Chronic inflammatory processes are characterized by high oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, suppression of antioxidant capacity and immunologic dysregulation, each of which in turn creates a perpetual cycle of promotion and maintenance of the inflammatory process. In these cases, medical ozone therapy is thought to act as a bioregulator to help control and stop these chronic processes. Ozone improves oxygen levels (increases/improves tissue oxygenation and efficiency), enhances overall metabolism, blood circulation, is immunomodulatory, (regulates/balances the immune system), mediates oxidative stress (anti-oxidant/prevention of cellular damage), is anti-inflammatory (decreases pain and swelling), anti-microbial (kills bacteria, viruses, fungi) and anti-neoplastic (treats cancer). The main goal behind the use of repeated O3 treatments is to create resistance against oxidative stress (oxidative preconditioning) through the stimulation of the antioxidant system to produce protective effects to help treat and control different types of diseases and chronic conditions.   

 

Is Ozone Safe? Ozone is very safe when used/administered correctly by a licensed medical professional. Ozone is never inhaled as it can damage the lungs and is never given in this way. Ozone effects have been well studied and are proven, and safe without immediate or latent side effects.

 

Diseases and conditions that can be treated with ozone include: cancer (ozone increases production of  interferon, interleukin and tumor necrosis factor), chronic atopic/allergic dermatitis, chronic/resistant infections (MRSA, etc), immune mediated diseases, chronic bladder/kidney infections, hepatitis, non-healing wounds, vasculitis, dental disease, chronic diarrhea/IBD, chronic ear infections, cardiovascular disease, degenerative myelopathy, osteoarthritis/DJD, IVDD, anti-aging (improves cognitive function, internal organ function, general health and well-being); these effects are thought to occur from ozone stimulation of the neuro-endocrine system in addition to increased tissue circulation and oxygenation.

 

Ozone is administered topical or local (applied directly, in oils or in water to the ears, skin, legs), subcutaneously (alone or mixed in saline given under the skin), insufflation (ozone is infused into a body cavity; rectally, vaginally, into the urinary bladder and nasal cavity) intra-articular (in joints) and intravenously. Major Autohemotherapy (MAHT) is a technique where blood is drawn from a patient and mixed with a small amount of ozone and re-infused intravenously. Rectal ozone is commonly used in veterinary medicine as it is well tolerated by pets. The number of ozone treatments will vary depending on the disease/condition treated, the age and condition of the animal. Initially more treatments are required for full therapeutic effects that are then tapered to a maintenance therapy. 

 

The therapeutic properties of ozone may positively impact a wide variety of diseases, conditions, and injuries. As an alternative medicine, ozone therapy is often used alongside other treatments or as a preventative therapy. It is not typically administered as the sole treatment for an ailment and is synergistic with many therapies including cancer treatments.