Oxygen Multistep Therapy

A now deleted post evangelized the benefits of EWOT. I'd never heard of EWOT, so I did a little research. The scientific research underpinning it was performed by a German scientist - Dr. Manfred Von Ardenne. He published a book on it, which you can read the first section of here:
Oxygen Multistep Therapy: Physiological and Technical Foundations

Dr. Ardenne's research is based on developing methods to improve the microvasculature and microcirculation of elderly patients with limited ability to perform high intensity exercise. His initial approach involved using oxygen therapy for 36 hours. He later was able to shorten the therapy time to 15 minutes by combining it with exercise. Dr. Ardenne makes many claims as to benefits, some of which are questionable.

Based on my brief dive into his research, my interpretation is that the benefits he was able to achieve in these patients using oxygen therapy, should be obtainable by maintaining fitness through high intensity exercise as one ages.

The novel aspect of his research is that 15 min of exercise while breathing 100% O2 significantly improves microcirculation for elderly patients with serious comorbidities. For those with lung, cardiac, or circulation disorders his approach could potentially provide benefit.

For those that are healthy, this approach should be avoided as it has the potential to result in oxygen poisoning.

testiculus said:

A now deleted post evangelized the benefits of EWOT. I'd never heard of EWOT, so I did a little research. The scientific research underpinning it was performed by a German scientist - Dr. Manfred Von Ardenne. He published a book on it, which you can read the first section of here:
Oxygen Multistep Therapy: Physiological and Technical Foundations

Dr. Ardenne's research is based on developing methods to improve the microvasculature and microcirculation of elderly patients with limited ability to perform high intensity exercise. His initial approach involved using oxygen therapy for 36 hours. He later was able to shorten the therapy time to 15 minutes by combining it with exercise. Dr. Ardenne makes many claims as to benefits, some of which are questionable.

Based on my brief dive into his research, my interpretation is that the benefits he was able to achieve in these patients using oxygen therapy, should be obtainable by maintaining fitness through high intensity exercise as one ages.

The novel aspect of his research is that 15 min of exercise while breathing 100% O2 significantly improves microcirculation for elderly patients with serious comorbidities. For those with lung, cardiac, or circulation disorders his approach could potentially provide benefit.

For those that are healthy, this approach should be avoided as it has the potential to result in oxygen poisoning.

Click to expand...

What's your basis for saying that oxygen poisoning could result? If that were true then hyperbaric oxygen should also be a problem for "healthy" people, but it's not from what I know from people who I know who have used it. It can be massively helpful for stroke victims.

I've followed this for several years now and it is apparently very good for some forms of infections. I want to try it but the cost at the places that offer it near me is such that for the cost of a few sessions I could build my own rig. I've also become hesitant to try things when I don't have any real issue since even if it was doing something good, it would be hard to tell. That said, Madman recently posted some studies on the benefits of hyperbaric and this could be a cheaper way to get something similar.

I previously posted about 3-4 studies that stated the dangers of this therapy. It seems to be seemingly worthwhile for people who have compromised breathing but otherwise the risk are there. All the studies added that exercise would have done just as well. This is why I guess you need to have a prescription for oxygen or even oxygen concentration devices. Caveat emptor

The fitness and health industry have become saturated with scammers selling devices and supplements that are cure all's. There is not much regulation going on by those who do the regulating. Just now I watched a commercial for the peddle exercisers. Great for someone doing rehab after surgery but as a device to stay in shape.....absolute no evidence to support their claims. After that Omega XL that cures all of the problem you have including pain. Total lies with no scientific evidence backing it. Yet they all make so much money they can advertise and pay celebrities to lie for them.

The life-extension business is pulling billions and most of the stuff being marketed is worthless, yet people line up to waste their money. I also posted a study on the hyperbaric chamber....again, exercise accomplishes the same thing.

An old saying. if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I used a hyperbaric chamber doing a deep dive to avoid the bends. People who push these gimmicks always tell you how doctors are wrong and science is biased against them. Yet they have no evidence backing their claims that is not anecdotal. I hope all the smart guys on this board will think long and hard about spending hard earned money on devices that make unfounded medical claims. Those that come here to push this stuff need to understand on an evidence based board like this, the onus is on them to prove what they say. I feel it, I feel it is not going to cut it.

OK, Oxygen is essential for human life, but it can also be toxic at high concentrations or under certain circumstances. This phenomenon is known as hyperoxia or oxygen toxicity. Here's how it happens:

1. Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): At elevated levels, oxygen can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. ROS are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen, such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. These ROS can damage cellular components like proteins, lipids, and DNA, leading to cell injury or death.
2. Lung Damage: Prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen can cause damage to the lining of the lungs, leading to inflammation, fluid accumulation, and ultimately respiratory distress syndrome.
3. Central Nervous System (CNS) Toxicity: Oxygen toxicity can also affect the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as dizziness, seizures, visual disturbances, and even loss of consciousness. These effects are more pronounced at higher partial pressures of oxygen, such as those encountered in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
4. Oxidative Stress: Oxygen toxicity induces oxidative stress in the body, where there is an imbalance between the production of ROS and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. This oxidative stress can contribute to various health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.
5. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): While HBOT can be beneficial for certain medical conditions, prolonged exposure to high-pressure oxygen in HBOT chambers can lead to oxygen toxicity. This is why HBOT sessions are carefully controlled and monitored by healthcare professionals.

We normally breath ~21% oxygen in the air we breath. So why is concentrated oxygen not good for us?:

1. Oxygen Toxicity: Breathing in high concentrations of oxygen over a prolonged period can lead to oxygen toxicity. This condition can cause lung damage, especially in the alveoli where oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide (see above).
2. Fire Hazard: Oxygen itself is not flammable, but it supports combustion. In an environment with high concentrations of oxygen, materials that are not normally flammable become highly combustible. This increases the risk of fire and can be dangerous in certain settings. Yes we have a lot of stupid people in the world that don't understand that you can smoke around oxygen users.
3. Oxygen Poisoning: Breathing in highly concentrated oxygen can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even seizures. This is particularly true in environments where the air pressure is higher than normal, such as in a hyperbaric chamber.
4. Suppression of the Respiratory Drive: Breathing in concentrated oxygen for extended periods can suppress the body's natural drive to breathe. This can be problematic, especially if the individual is not receiving enough carbon dioxide to stimulate breathing.
5. Lack of Nitrogen: Normally, the air we breathe contains about 78% nitrogen and only about 21% oxygen, along with other gases. Breathing in concentrated oxygen can lead to a lack of nitrogen in the body, which can have various physiological effects and may contribute to decompression sickness in certain situations (such as scuba diving see below).

During a dive, the diver breathes compressed air, which contains nitrogen. Under pressure, nitrogen dissolves into the bloodstream and tissues. As the diver ascends, the surrounding pressure decreases. If the ascent is too rapid, the nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues. These bubbles can block blood vessels, causing tissue damage and leading to various symptoms collectively known as the bends. This is why experienced deep water divers use a special gas mixture is made up of oxygen, nitrogen, and helium. I used this quite a lot in Florida doing cave diving.


Sorry, I had to add this:

JACKO CHAMBER

Michael Jackson’s oxygen chamber where he took naps so he could live ‘forever’ found in shipping container 10 years after his death​

Jackson’ believed that the oxygen chamber had anti-aging properties and if he used it on a continuous basis, he would be able to live well passed the average of a human.

“I want to live to see world peace, a world without hunger, a world where children and all mankind know no suffering.” I believe if I treat my body properly, I’ll live to be at least 150.”

Scientists and doctors, however, were quick to point out that Jackson would not be able to live to be 150 years old just by sleeping in an oxygen chamber. In fact, if he were to spend too long in the chamber, he could die from oxygen toxicity.

Guided_by_Voices said:

What's your basis for saying that oxygen poisoning could result? If that were true then hyperbaric oxygen should also be a problem for "healthy" people, but it's not from what I know from people who I know who have used it. It can be massively helpful for stroke victims.

I've followed this for several years now and it is apparently very good for some forms of infections. I want to try it but the cost at the places that offer it near me is such that for the cost of a few sessions I could build my own rig. I've also become hesitant to try things when I don't have any real issue since even if it was doing something good, it would be hard to tell. That said, Madman recently posted some studies on the benefits of hyperbaric and this could be a cheaper way to get something similar.

Click to expand...

Oxygen poisoning is generally considered to not occur at atmospheric pressure. However, this is based upon the use of oxygen at rest. With the increase in ventilation while exercising, there would be a risk of oxygen poisoning even at atmospheric pressure. Bigtex hit on all the various risks. This isn't something healthy people should be doing. If you have a serious condition where tissue oxygenation is problematic, then the benefit/risk balance is different.

Amen!