Ozone, a Hidden Treasure

 What is ozone?

Ozone is a colorless, odorless reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is found naturally in the earth's stratosphere, where it absorbs the ultraviolet component of incoming solar radiation that could be harmful to life on earth.

From German Ozon, the word “ozone” was first coined in 1840 by Christian Friedrich Schönbein, from Ancient Greek ὄζον (ózon), “I smell”), in reference to its pungent odour. 

When was ozone recognized to be helpful in healing?

Ozone therapy has been in use since the 1800s and in 1896 Nikola Tesla patented the first O3 generator in the US, later forming the “Tesla Ozone Company.” During the first world war (1914-18) doctors familiar with O3's antibacterial and antifungal properties, and with few other medical resources available to them, applied it topically to infected wounds and discovered O3 not only cleared any infection, but that it also improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Ozone was known to treat as many as 114 diseases! Ozone Therapy is currently being practised in over 50 countries around the world including India, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, America, Cuba, and several South American and South Asian countries. France is considered as the cradle of ozonation with tests of water disinfection beginning in 1886. By 1961, over 500 ozonation plants were in operation in France, particularly for drinking water. Ozone is recognized as one of the best bactericides, antivirals and antifungals, and has been used empirically as a clinical therapeutic agent for post-surgical fistulas and wounds, pressure ulcers, as well as chronic wounds such as trophic ulcers, ischemic ulcers, diabetic wounds, psoriasis, and athlete’s foot. The beneficial effects of ozone on wound healing are related to the reduction of microbial infection, debridement effect, modulation of the inflammatory phase, stimulation of angiogenesis as well as biological and enzymatic reactions that favor oxygen metabolism improving wound healing.

What exactly is ozone therapy?

Ozone therapy is the therapeutic administration of ozone for the treatment of various pathologies. Topically, it has been efficiently and effectively used to treat extensive wounds, fungal, bacterial and viral infections, biofilms, ischemic lesions and other affections, mainly in disinfection and wound healing. Ozone therapy disrupts the integrity of the bacterial cell envelope through oxidation of the phospholipids and lipoproteins. In fungi, O3 inhibits cell growth at certain stages. With viruses, the O3 damages the viral capsid and upsets the reproductive cycle by disrupting the virus-to-cell contact with peroxidation. The weak enzyme coatings on cells which make them vulnerable to invasion by viruses make them susceptible to oxidation and elimination from the body, which then replaces them with healthy cells. Since the inhalation and injection of ozone is harmful, ozonated oils were created. By adding the molecule to a carrier oil, the ozone is trapped within the liquid. This eliminates the possibility of breathing in the gas and diffuses it so you receive a less intense dose but can still benefit from its germ fighting properties.

Topical application can be performed using ozonated oils. The ozonation of the oil promotes formulations containing ozone derivatives with adequate stability. Ozone therapy has been utilized and heavily studied for more than a century. Its effects are proven, consistent, safe and with minimal and preventable side effects. Medical O3 is used to disinfect and treat disease. It deactivates bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast and protozoa, stimulates oxygen metabolism, and activates the immune system. As a topical cream, ozonated olive oil can be used as a moisturizer and to reduce sun damage.

Why is olive oil used to deliver ozone?

Infusion of ozone into extra virgin olive oil is the predominant method used for topical application. The predominant fatty acid in olive oil is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, making up 73% of the total oil content. Studies suggest that oleic acid reduces inflammation and may even have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Olive oil has its own list of beneficial properties: beneficial fatty acids, vitamins E and K, has many biologically active antioxidants, fights inflammation, associated with reduced risk of stroke and heart disease, lowers blood pressure, helps remove beta amyloid plaque in brain cells, is associated with reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, and fights eight strains of helicobacter pylori in the stomach.

What diseases can be treated with ozone therapy?

Diseases treated are infected wounds, circulatory disorders, geriatric conditions, macular degeneration, viral diseases, rheumatism/arthritis, cancer, SARS and AIDS. Ozonated water, whose use is particularly known in dental medicine, is optimally applied as a spray or compress, yielding excellent health benefits with dental caries, the decrease of blood cholesterol and stimulation of antioxidative responses, the modification of oxygenation in resting muscle and as a complementary treatment of hypoxic and ischemic syndromes. In local applications, as in the treatment of external wounds, its application in the form of a transcutaneous O3 gas bath has established itself as being the most practical and useful method, for example at low (sub-atmospheric) pressure in a closed system guaranteeing no escape of O3 into the surrounding air. The following chart shows some ways O3 was used in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Isn’t ozone dangerous?

When ozone gas is directly breathed in, it can do a lot of harm. Exposure to ozone may cause headaches, coughing, dry throat, shortness of breath, a heavy feeling in the chest, and fluid in the lungs. Higher levels of exposure can lead to more severe symptoms. Chronic exposure may lead to asthma. Workers may be harmed from exposure to ozone. Although it has dangerous effects, researchers have shown it has many therapeutic effects as long as inhalation is restricted. The use of ozone was condemned in some countries because of the inappropriate use of gas via intravenous by individuals with no practice in ozone therapy or in medicine, resulting in death by embolism. The ozone administration by intravenous route has been banned in Europe since 1984. The use of ozone should never be used by inhalation or injection in accordance with the Madrid Declaration on Ozone Therapy. However, there are publications proving the security of ozone by inhalation route in low concentrations.

The oxidation power of ozone is stored in the oils unsaturated fatty acids. The ozone is stored as an ozonide, aldehyde and peroxide in the double carbon-carbon bonds of unsaturated fatty acids found in organic oils such as olive oil. In countries such as Cuba, Russia and Ukraine, this therapy is widely used for several treatments, in the form of infusion of ozonated saline solution and rectal ozone insufflations due to the low cost and the applicability in thousands of patients.

What are the benefits of ozone therapy?

1. Stimulates 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 prostacyclin, a vasodilator, is also induced by O3.

2. Activates the immune system

Ozone administered at a concentration of between 30 and 55 μg/cc causes the greatest increase in the production of interferon and the greatest output of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-2. The production of interleukin-2 launches an entire cascade of subsequent immunological reactions. The immune system can also be stimulated by the activation of neutrophils and release of cytokines. It has the ability to reestablish cellular redox homeostasis. Ozone is a bio-regulator that protects against damage caused by chronic oxidative stress and it regulates the levels of nitric oxide. The controlled administration of ozone promotes an adaptation to oxidative stress, stimulating endogenous antioxidants, protecting against tissue damage.

3. Reduces pressure on airways: 

Ozone exposure induces a significant mean decrement in vital capacity. It significantly increases mean airway resistance and specific airway resistance but does not change dynamic or static pulmonary compliance or viscous or elastic work. It significantly reduces maximal transpulmonary pressure and significantly increases respiratory rate and decreased tidal volume. The practice of ozone began in tuberculosis treatment, followed by its use in dental Please inform me if anything else is required.clinics and gangrene treatments. The surgeon Payr was the first one to introduce ozone into the rectum. 

4. Heals cutaneous wounds

For cutaneous wounds, ozone is used in high frequency generators, producing heat that results in local peripheral vasodilation, increased blood flow, oxygenation and cellular metabolism, accelerating the healing process. The purpose of ozonated oil is to obtain formulations containing ozone with better stability to facilitate handling, to improve its storage, to avoid its rapid degradation, to allow extra-hospital treatment and to reduce the risk of using it in gaseous form, in high and inadequate doses. The scientist Nicola Tesla bubbled the ozone continuously for three weeks through the oil, creating a natural gel with ozone in suspension. This product was called “ozo-oil.”

Ozonated oil presents an early response and has a larger number of cells involved in the repair process when used on wounds, as well as superior angiogenesis with increased vascular endothelial growth factors and cyclin D1 expression. There are millions of patients with cutaneous lesions that degenerate into infected ulcers and with little expectation of cure, especially in diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and in the aging process, which implies a high socioeconomic cost. Daily use of ozonated oil in these lesions eliminates infection and promotes rapid healing.

5. Helps get rid of persistent tooth stains

Ozone therapy can help with a variety of teeth whitening challenges, including tetracycline stains, which can be very hard to get rid of. Because ozone therapy can be excellent for killing oral infections, it's increasingly being added to other dental procedures as a complementary therapy.

6. Treats skin conditions

Doctors and therapists use ozonated oil to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as dermatitis, acne, pressure ulcers, sensitive skin, cold sores, etc. In addition to promoting healing, ozonated oil reduces symptoms related to skin burns, prevents post-lesion hyperpigmentation, and reduces the pain of aphthous ulcers.

How does ozonated olive oil compare to antibiotics in wound treatment?

The overuse of antibiotics and antifungals in the treatment of infectious diseases has led to the development of antibiotic resistance. Because of that, it’s crucial to develop new natural products with pharmacological properties that can effectively treat various infections.Ozonated olive oil is one of the most valuable products for our health, which boasts high antimicrobial activity and a high peroxide index, making it a valuable addition to maintaining overall health.

The ozonation process causes changes in the chemical composition of the oil giving new biological properties to ozonated oils. It is amazing how patients who were unable to treat wounds with antibiotics were able to heal their wounds with ozonated olive oil. What is the secret? When applied to wounds, ozonated olive oil not only sterilizes the area but also stimulates the healing process in a way that traditional antibiotics cannot match. 

Does ozonated olive oil go bad?

It is recommended to refrigerate the ozonated oil to prolong the shelf-life.  After production, and prior to shipping the product is kept in the freezer until shipping. Ozonated Olive Oil is kept refrigerated for 1 year, making it one of the most potent oils available over the counter. 

We are excited to announce our new private collection of customized ozonated skin care products, beginning with ozonated soap, ozonated exfoliating soap and ozonated olive oil gel. 

Ask us about them!