Can ozone therapy alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy? New research brings hope

Chemotherapy is a powerful weapon against cancer – but it often comes with a host of unpleasant side effects. Fatigue, nausea, damage to healthy organs or the nervous system are just some of the challenges patients face. Scientists have been researching for years how to mitigate these side effects without reducing the effectiveness of the therapy. One promising direction?  Ozone therapy .

What is ozone therapy?

Ozone therapy uses medical ozone – a mixture of oxygen and ozone – in very controlled, small doses that activate our body’s natural defense mechanisms. In other words, the body “learns” how to better fight harmful substances – including those coming from chemotherapy itself.

What does research say?

According to a recent scientific analysis (“ Modulation of Oxidative Stress by Ozone Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity ”), ozone therapy:

• Reduces liver, kidney and heart damage  often caused by cytostatics such as cisplatin, doxorubicin and methotrexate
• Reduces oxidative stress , one of the main causes of cell damage during chemotherapy
• It stimulates the body to produce its own protective enzymes  such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which “scavenge” free radicals.
• Relieves symptoms of chemotherapy neuropathy , such as tingling, weakness, or pain in the hands and feet

The review includes  13 peer-reviewed original scientific papers , including  animal studies and human clinical applications . The most commonly studied chemotherapy agents in these studies are:  cisplatin, methotrexate, doxorubicin, and bleomycin .

How does ozone actually help?

The authors point out that ozone therapy may act on three key mechanisms that lie behind many of the side effects of chemotherapy:

1. Reducing oxidative stress  – ozone stimulates the creation of antioxidant enzymes in the body that neutralize harmful free radicals
2. Reducing inflammation  – ozone can alleviate chronic inflammation that further damages tissues
3. Improving tissue oxygenation  – promotes better oxygen flow and circulation in areas where cells are “oxygen-starved”

Therefore, it is assumed that ozone therapy could be particularly helpful with chronic side effects of chemotherapy , where these mechanisms (oxidative stress, inflammation, poor oxygen flow) play a major role.

What does this mean for patients?

In the future, ozone therapy could become  an additional supportive therapy  for oncology patients – not to replace chemotherapy, but to reduce its impact on healthy cells and improve quality of life during treatment.

Remark:

Although the results are promising, it is important to emphasize:  larger and longer-term clinical studies are needed  before ozone therapy can be widely recommended as a standard in oncology. In any case, all therapies should be carried out in collaboration with an oncologist and under medical supervision.

Read the full scientific paper here:
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/8/12/588

Are you interested in learning more about ozone therapy and how it is performed at our clinic?
Feel free to contact us for advice and information – we will be happy to inform you without obligation.

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Phone: 091 6828 034

Email: info@eo2.hr