There’s no argument that holistic and naturopathic approaches are very much in the future of medicine. And for those suffering from ongoing pain, fatigue, Lyme Disease or other chronic conditions, more patients are eager to try alternative treatments with minimal risk. And one of these treatments that stands out among the rest is ozone therapy.
Ozone therapy is a unique, integrative treatment designed to increases the amount of oxygen in the body through the introduction of ozone. While its highly debated in the medical world as a valid treatment (and not recognized as a therapy by the FDA), many doctors and patients praise ozone for its simplicity and efficiency with healing their complex cases.
In chronic conditions like Lyme disease, ozone suppresses infections and hard-to-treat resistant pathogens. Not only is it used for conditions like Lyme – biohackers and health entrepreneurs praise ozone for its role in preventative health and health maintenance.
Holistic approaches like ozone require expert guidance and working closely with an experienced practitioner. We recently did a Q+A on all things ozone with Holtorf Medical Group’s Dr. Lisa Hunt, who shares with us her thoughts and experience treating patients with ozone therapies.
Can you explain what Ozone is?
Dr. Hunt: Ozone is a three-oxygen molecule (O3) that maintains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ozone therapy is an oxidative therapy that can be used to treat and manage conditions that cause inflammation or infections, including Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses.
In what ways can you use ozone?
Dr. Hunt: Ozone has been shown to have healing, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Forms of ozone therapy can include blood (IV therapy), rectal insufflation, ear ozone, and others.
Intravenous ozone therapy is achieved through a process known as autohemotherapy by separating and oxygenating the patient’s blood. First, blood is drained, then it is exposed to a precise amount of ozone and finally, re-injected into the body via a catheter. Although this process may sound intimidating, the experience does not differ much from other IV therapies.
The use of therapeutic Ozone seems to be highly debated in the medical world. Why is that?
Dr. Hunt: Ozone has been used for decades to treat a host of medical conditions and infections. The confusion surrounding ozone therapy may be due to the fact that ozone is a gas. However, ozone therapy is extremely safe when performed by a licensed medical professional.
In fact, one of the reasons IV ozone is great for those suffering from chronic illnesses is, unlike many other treatments and medications, it has little to no side effects with a high safety profile.
What are the side effects of an Ozone IV?
Dr. Hunt: A common side effect from IV ozone therapy is a Herxheimer Reaction. While the body is cleansing toxins and waste, patients may temporarily experience flu-like symptoms before experiencing the positive effects of ozone.
Can healthy people use ozone IV’s for health maintenance?
Dr. Hunt: IV ozone therapy can have all the same benefits for “healthy” people as they do for those with chronic health conditions. Benefits can include:
- Elimination or reduction in symptoms associated with pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites through stimulation of lymphocytes.
- Improvement in blood and oxygen circulation.
- Improvement of immune function.
- Detoxification by neutralizing toxins processed in liver and kidneys.
How does ozone effect gut bacteria? Can it cause an imbalance?
Dr. Hunt: Ozone helps remove inflammation and kill harmful gut bacteria while allowing healthy micro flora to flourish. However, IV ozone is not the most effective treatment method if gut health is your primary concern. Rectal insufflation is a form of ozone therapy that can benefit GI-related concerns. This form of ozone therapy consists of the introduction of pure, medical-grade ozone directly into the colon, allowing it to be quickly absorbed by the walls of the colon. This specific type of ozone treatment is able to:
- Eliminate toxins from the gut (and thus, the rest of the body
- Restore the gut microbiome to an optimal state
- Kill unwanted bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast in the gut
ABOUT HOLTORF MEDICAL GROUP
Holtorf Medical Group was founded by Dr. Kent Holtorf, M.D. who had a desire to treat patients struggling with symptoms that were unexplainable by traditional medicine. Through the implementation of innovative, cutting-edge treatments, Holtorf Medical Group’s talented doctors are ready to give patients their lives back.
Visit Holtorf Medical Group’s website to book an appointment and
for the latest in integrative wellness practices.
Meet Liz, the founder of The Hive. When she’s not working on the site, you’ll find her either cooking some steak, taking a bike ride or playing with her pup, Ziggy.
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