Ozone and hydrogen are two powerful and safe gases that address the two primary root causes of aging—oxidation and inflammation. As part of our natural world and biochemical systems, these gases are not only critical to life but are also emerging as new tools in wellness and prevention. Used primarily for detoxification and improved cellular health, this is an important time to learn how to get more oxygen and hydrogen into the body.

Ozone 

Oxygen is a first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, yeast and parasites. It is also used to convert food to useable energy for work and growth. Ozone is an active form of oxygen, consisting of three atoms instead of the usual two. It can be created by passing an electrical spark through a tube with filled medical-grade oxygen. The resulting gas is like super oxygen because the weakly bonded third atom is available to do oxidative work in the body. 

Since the 1980s, Dr. Robert Rowen, co-owner of The Robert Rowen, M.D., and Terri Su, M.D., Clinic, in Santa Rosa, California, has been extensively using integrative approaches such as ozone to resolve health challenges. A short video at DrRowenDrSu.com explains the five major benefits of ozone, which deactivates virus, bacteria, fungus, mold and parasites; improves blood flow by making red blood cells more flexible; increases immunity and antibody production; breaks down petrochemicals; and removes toxins, in addition to accelerating the production of energy in the mitochondria, considered the powerhouse of cells.

Getting ozone into the body is done in several ways. Using intravenous therapy in a clinical setting, blood can be taken out mixed with ozone and then returned to the body. Consumers can also buy home machines that have an attached tube for rectal insufflation. Ozone saunas, relatively new in the U.S., can be used to deliver ozone through the skin. Because ozone can be irritating to the lungs, it is not inhaled in high concentrations, but some home air purification systems integrate both ultraviolet light and ozone at lower concentrations.

Hydrogen

As a perfect balance to oxidation, hydrogen acts as an antioxidant by selectively neutralizing harmful free radicals. This selectivity is key, because most antioxidants get rid of all the byproducts of oxidation, not just the harmful ones, and some byproducts like nitric oxide are very important. About 100 times smaller than vitamin C, molecular hydrogen is also the smallest molecule in the universe and can therefore cross the blood-brain barrier, as well as get inside cells to do work. Along with oxygen, it is critical in the production of energy. 

Without a sufficient amount of hydrogen, no matter how much oxygen or nutrients make it into cells, mitochondria cannot produce enough energy. Ideally, hydrogen is produced in the body in the digestive system as a natural byproduct of fermentation by the microbiota. Individuals with a healthy digestive system should produce about a liter of hydrogen gas per day.

Dr. Mark Sircus, author of Hydrogen Medicine, is considered a U.S. expert on hydrogen. The founder of HydrogenMedicine.info offers five free chapters of Hydrogen Medicine in which he details many benefits of hydrogen, including reducing fatigue and anxiety, improving hormonal balance, increasing athletic endurance, improving heart health and acting as a neuroprotective agent.

Getting hydrogen into the body is easier than ozone because it can be inhaled directly, as well as dissolved in water. These two delivery systems have overlapping and unique beneficial properties that are being studied extensively, especially in China and Japan, where most of the original research has been done. On Sircus’ website, there are links to hydrogen machines for home use. Most are able to produce both hydrogen water, and with a different attachment can be used for inhalation. A less expensive way to get hydrogen into a personal wellness plan is by using tablets that dissolve in water, creating hydrogen gas. Mercola.com and WaterAndWellness.com also offer these tablets. 

PubMed.gov offers thousands of studies in which ozone therapy and molecular hydrogen have used for numerous conditions such as arthritis, skin disease, diabetes, chronic inflammation, hypertension, neurological issues and others that have been improved due to the system-wide effects of these safe gases. 

Sue Mahany is the owner of Spark Health Technologies. Located at 11983 N. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 150, in Naples. The wellness center has a HOCATT ozone sauna, BEMER microcirculation mat, and hydrogen technologies for a powerful whole body cleanse.