Ozone Therapy: Effective and Safe — Now Available at Pacific Naturopathic

by Brian Cox, ND

When you hear the word “ozone,” you may immediately think of the ozone layer in our atmosphere that protects us from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are what create ozone (O3).

Brian Cox, ND

Ozone is an energized form of oxygen that contains three atoms of oxygen rather than the two we normally breathe. Ozone is the second most powerful sterilizer in the world – it can destroy bacteria, viruses, and odors.

Interestingly, ozone occurs quite readily in nature, most often as a result of lightning strikes that occur during thunderstorms. In fact, the fresh, clean, spring rain smell we notice after a storm most often results from the creation of ozone.

How does ozone work?

The third oxygen atom of ozone makes it extremely reactive, thus it readily attaches itself to other molecules. When contaminants such as bacteria or viruses make contact with ozone, the ozone creates a minuscule hole in the bacterial or viral cell wall. After the ozone breaches the cell wall, the bacteria are unable to survive. This process is called “oxidation.” Once used, ozone reverts to oxygen, making it a very environmentally friendly oxidant.

Isn’t ozone a pollutant?

Unlike stratospheric ozone, which forms naturally in the upper atmosphere and protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level (or tropospheric) ozone is created through the interactions of both human-made and natural emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the presence of heat and sunlight.

Cars and gas-burning engines are significant sources of VOCs, which also come from consumer products such as paints, insecticides, and cleansers, as well as industrial solvents and chemical manufacturing.

NOx, the other chemical precursor of ozone, is produced whenever we burn fossil fuels, primarily in motor vehicles and power plants. The sun’s direct ultraviolet rays convert these emissions into ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe.

Is ozone safe?

Ozone is safe when used under the right circumstances. However, if the proper safety measures aren’t in place, high concentrations of ozone in the air can cause health problems.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stipulated that the allowable safe level of residual ozone is 0.1 ppm. Note that this permissible exposure limit (PEL) is for continuous exposure throughout an entire eight-hour day. If you start to cough when around ozone, there is too much ozone in the air, and you should remove yourself from the location, or properly ventilate while remedying the cause of the airborne ozone.

Do keep in mind that it takes an extended period at very elevated levels to cause irritation to the lungs.

How is medical ozone produced?

There are two methods of producing ozone: ultraviolet (UV) and corona discharge. Corona discharge creates ozone by applying high voltage to a metallic grid sandwiched between two dielectrics. The voltage passes through the dielectric to a grounded screen/ plate, and in the process creates ozone from oxygen present in the chamber.

UV light creates ozone when a wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm) hits an oxygen atom. Both processes split oxygen molecules into single oxygen atoms (O). These atoms combine with another oxygen molecule (O2 ) to form ozone (O3 ), which physicians can then use medically.

Why is ozone therapy so effective with many issues, especially patients with cancer?

Dr. Cox believes the reason ozone therapy is so effective for patients with cancer and many other aliments is because it helps deal with the root causes of disease.

For example, his experience, and abundant research have shown ozone therapy to be effective with helping lower viral loads in patients. Dr. Brian has seen a correlation that when patient’s viral load(s) are significantly reduced, symptoms of cancer are reduced or may even disappear in many patients. He finds that when patients are screened for viruses that have a correlation with various issues, and some cancers, it is especially important to have their viral load tracked along with the relief of their symptoms for efficacy.

To learn more, please call our office, or to set up an appointment.

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