Traditionally, hydrogen peroxide has been used medically as a disinfectant, antiseptic and for its wound-healing properties.
Biologically, hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced by several systems in the body. Immune cells produce hydrogen peroxide as a first line of defense against invading organisms such as viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi. It is required for the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. It is used by the endocrine system to produce estrogen, progesterone and thyroxin and assists in blood sugar regulation and energy utilization in the cells.
OZONE
Ozone is one of 3 forms of the element oxygen. It is often referred to as “energized oxygen” since it can be produced from electrical sparks and UV light combining with ordinary oxygen. It was first used therapeutically to disinfect wounds during World War I. Ozone was researched considerably in the 1930’s in Germany, where it was successfully used to treat inflammatory bowel disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and chronic bacterial diarrhea.
In North America and several other countries world wide, ozone is used for its superior sanitation and anti-microbial properties. It has become the element of choice for disinfecting and purifying drinking water and wastewater through a wide variety of applications. Several swimming pools in Canada are now choosing ozonation methods over chlorination for sanitation and disinfectant purposes. It is also widely used for air and odor treatment and food sanitation.
HOW DO HUMANS BECOME OXYGEN DEFICIENT?
Polluted air, toxic chemicals and heavy metals in the environment, devitalized food and lack of proper breathing techniques are among the main reasons for cumulative oxygen deficiency in humans.
THE FREE RADICAL CONNECTION & ANTI-OXIDANTS
Oxidative therapies produce free radicals. Some free radicals are compounds naturally produced by the body and are necessary for energy-delivery to cells and destruction of microorganisms. However, free radicals are also produced in the environment through air pollution, toxic waste, certain food additives, pesticide residues and radiation (i.e. X-ray and airplane) that can lead to an accumulation of free radicals in the body (if the body’s enzyme systems are impaired and cannot “quench” the free radicals or if the systems become too overwhelmed with too many free radicals).
An excess of these free radicals can cause a great deal of harm to cells, including: altering molecular properties of the cell, thereby affecting cell-cell communication and functioning; puncturing the cell membrane allowing bacteria and viruses easy entry; exposing genetic material, thereby making it vulnerable to mutation and destruction; and overburdening the immune systems. As a result, free radical damage has been considered to be at the route of all degenerative disease, including atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, diabetes, allergies, cognitive decline, immune disorders, arthritis and generally play a large role in the aging process.
Our body has three main antioxidant systems that protect cells from free radicals by chemically changing them into harmless compounds like oxygen and water: catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. In addition to these antioxidant systems, we need to augment our body’s antioxidant supply with nutritional antioxidants through food (fruits and vegetables primarily) and appropriate supplementation where needed (i.e. vitamin C, D, E, beta-carotene, zinc, selenium and others), since excess free radical activity can deplete our body’s antioxidant reserves.
