Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used for decades to treat a variety of medical conditions, including decompression sickness, wounds and carbon monoxide poisoning. More recently, HBOT has been studied for its potential benefits in boosting metabolism and aiding in weight loss. The results have been so profound that new studies by the American Diabetes Association are progressing to the point that HBOT may become a firstline treatment in the obesity epidemic.

HBOT involves breathing in pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and tissues. This increased oxygen supply can stimulate the body’s metabolic processes, leading to an increased rate of burning calories and fat. Increased metabolism comes from upregulation of the mitochondria and an increase in cellular energy or ATP.

One study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that HBOT increased the metabolic rate of obese mice by up to 13 percent. The treatment also reduced the mice’s levels of insulin and leptin, hormones that regulate fat storage and hunger. This means reduced storage of glucose as fat and increased ability of muscle to burn calories, a truly significant finding.

Another study conducted at the University of California, San Diego found that HBOT improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation in obese individuals. The reduction in inflammation allowed for less swellinging down to the cellular level and increased ability of cellular messaging. These effects could potentially lead to weight loss and improved overall health.

Additionally, HBOT has been shown to promote wound healing and tissue repair, which can aid in post-surgery recovery and help individuals with injuries or chronic illnesses maintain a healthy weight. Post surgical weight gain can be multifactorial, however healing up to 40% faster allows for increased activity and less time spent recovering in a sedentary state.

Hyperbaric Oxygen promotes mitochondrial upregulation and increases metabolism up to 13%

While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of HBOT on metabolism and weight loss, the preliminary results are promising. HBOT may be a potential treatment option for individuals struggling with obesity and related health conditions.

It is important to note that HBOT should not be used as a replacement for a healthy diet and regular exercise. It should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Sources:

University of Texas Medical Branch study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5706146/

University of California, San Diego study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002315/

American Board of Hyperbaric Medicine: https://www.abhms.org/hyperbaric-medicine/what-is-hyperbaric-medicine/

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and advice of a qualified licensed professional. This website offers general information and in no way should anyone consider that this website represents the practice of medicine. This website assumes no responsibility for how this information is used. Also note that this website frequently updates its contents, due to a variety of reasons. No statements or implied treatments on this website have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is important that you do not reduce, change, or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. Please consult your doctor before beginning any new program of treatment.

An autoimmune disease is a complex and often misunderstood condition in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, leading to a variety of symptoms and complications. These diseases can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, organs, and nervous system. The most common autoimmune diseases are type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease, and hashimoto's thyroiditis.

One possible treatment for autoimmune disease is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which involves exposing the body to high levels of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for individuals with autoimmune disease and patient's have been overwhelmingly responsive to hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen provides relief from many of the symptoms of autoimmunity with the potential benefits including:

1. Reducing inflammation: HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help alleviate the symptoms of autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, researchers found that HBOT significantly reduced inflammation in the joints of mice with autoimmune arthritis (1).
2. Improving immune function: HBOT has been shown to improve immune function in individuals with autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Immunology, researchers found that HBOT increased the production of regulatory T cells, which help to suppress the immune response and prevent autoimmune reactions (2).
3. Protecting against tissue damage: HBOT has been shown to protect against tissue damage in individuals with autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Surgical Research, researchers found that HBOT improved wound healing and reduced tissue damage in mice with autoimmune skin disease (3).
4. Enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments: HBOT has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments for autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology, researchers found that HBOT improved the response to immunosuppressive therapy in individuals with autoimmune disease (4).

Overall, HBOT may offer a promising option for individuals with autoimmune disease. However, it should be noted that further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of this therapy.

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

Alexander Lightstone Borsand, MD, ABLM, FMCH

RX-O2 Hyperbaric Clinic

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and advice of a qualified licensed professional. This website offers general information and in no way should anyone consider that this website represents the practice of medicine. This website assumes no responsibility for how this information is used. Also note that this website frequently updates its contents, due to a variety of reasons. No statements or implied treatments on this website have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is important that you do not reduce, change, or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. Please consult your doctor before beginning any new program of treatment.

RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY HELPS POST COVID-19 SYNDROME

COVID-19 has affected the lives of more than 72 million Americans, with Post COVID Syndrome affecting 35% of patients who recovered from the virus. For hospitalized patients this jumps to a staggering 85% having symptoms more than 4 months after recovery.*

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to help patients recover and protect their health through a number of different mechanisms.

According to the Center for Disease Control "Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were infected can have post-COVID conditions. These conditions can present as different types and combinations of health problems for different lengths of time."

There are a few terms for these post-COVID conditions, such as long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, or chronic COVID. 

Patients recovering from COVID-19 have reported:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities 
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (“brain fog”)
• Cough
• Chest or stomach pain
• Headache
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (palpitations)
• Joint or muscle pain
• Pins-and-needles feeling
• Diarrhea
• Sleep problems
• Fever
• Dizziness on standing (lightheadedness)
• Rash
• Mood changes
• Change in smell or taste
• Changes in menstrual period cycles

HBOT in the treatment of Post Covid Syndrome is currently being researched in the US, Europe, Israel and across South America. Clinical trials have shown measurable results and expectations are that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy will become the gold standard in treatment of Post Covid Conditions. 

HBOT can be used to condition tissues by stimulating angiogenesis, thus producing more circulatory pathways throughout the body and potentially decreasing the symptoms for COVID Long-haulers.

Also, this has been shown to benefit pulmonary function testing in patients with shortness of breath who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Functionality is recovered by introducing increased levels of oxygen to tissues that have been starved of oxygen or ischemic. 

BENEFITS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR PATIENTS AFTER RECOVERING FROM COVID

The international hyperbaric community have demonstrated the following therapeutic benefits of HBOT for patients recovering from COVID. HBOT may also help to prevent viral infections by stimulating the immune system.

SUPPORTING POST COVID RECOVERY USING HYPERBARICS

• Faster Overall Recovery
• Improves Energy
• Reduces Shortness of Breath
• Accelerates Release of Growth Factors
• Increases Immune Response
• Stimulates Angiogenesis
• Promotes Neurogenesis
• Enhances Stem Cell Proliferation and Mobilization
• Escalates Neuroplasticity
• Alleviates Sleep Dysfunction

HOW HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY MAY PREVENT VIRAL INFECTION

• Stimulates Immune System
• Ameliorates Atherosclerosis
• Decreases Oxidative Stress in Tissues
• Preconditions Lungs to Fight Infection

Source: International Hyperbarics Association

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33962805/

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, and advice of a qualified licensed professional. This website offers general information and in no way should anyone consider that this website represents the practice of medicine. This website assumes no responsibility for how this information is used. Also note that this website frequently updates its contents, due to a variety of reasons. No statements or implied treatments on this website have been evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is important that you do not reduce, change, or discontinue any medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. Please consult your doctor before beginning any new program of treatment.