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Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy Basic overview of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid made up of two atoms of hydrogen and two of oxygen
(H2O2). As a molecule, it is similar in structure to water (H2O),
but less stable. It readily breaks down into water and oxygen when placed
in contact with something it can react with. For example, if you pour
hydrogen peroxide on a wound you will see a fizzle similar to bubbles that
appear when soda pop is poured into a glass. Those bubbles on the wound
are oxygen.
Hydrogen peroxide is not only found at the drug store...it is also produced
in the human body by cells of the immune system, for example. These cells
(eg. neutrophils) make H2O2 to combat infection during the inflammatory process.
Hydrogen peroxide kills cells by disrupting/destroying their cell membranes.
This is a non-specific process. In other words, H2O2 can, and does cause
harm to the human body. The biochemistry of hydrogen peroxide is complex
and widely researched. It is an essential molecule for our survival.
However, our bodies are pretty smart; they use this reactive molecule under
controlled conditions to prevent damaging normal structures. As a liquid,
hydrogen peroxide is used in conventional western medicine and alternative
medicine to treat patients. In conventional medicine, it is mixed with
sterile water and used topically (on the skin) to wash infected or dirty wounds.
It is also an ingredient of dental whitening kits and strips. Several
links below will connect the reader to Harper's Biochemistry Textbook on-line
version. There are a few chapters that will help better understand this
simple, yet complex molecule.
- Basic information on H2O2
http://accesslange.accessmedicine.com/server-java/Arknoid/amed/murray/co_chapters/ch013/ch013_p07.html
- Role of Vitamin E in preventing cellular damage by hydrogen peroxide and
other reactive oxygen species
http://accesslange.accessmedicine.com/server-java/Arknoid/amed/murray/co_chapters/ch053/ch053_p05.html
- Neutrophils and other phagocytes utilize hydrogen peroxide under
controlled environment within the cell
http://accesslange.accessmedicine.com/server-java/Arknoid/amed/murray/co_chapters/ch060/ch060_p09.html
- The thyroid gland uses hydrogen peroxide under controlled environment to
synthesize thyroid hormone
http://accesslange.accessmedicine.com/server-java/Arknoid/amed/murray/co_chapters/ch046/ch046_p03.html
Alternative Medicine and Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy
David Farr, M.D., PhD. of the Genesis Medical Research Institute in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma is a major pioneer in the use of hydrogen peroxide to combat a
variety of diseases. He claims that H2O2 therapy regulates tissue repair,
cellular respiration, growth, immune function, the energy system, most hormone
systems, and the production of cytokines. He also uses H2O2 therapy as a
defense against bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites. Dr. Farr states
that "there are few side effects with hydrogen peroxide therapy. In rare
cases, inflammation of veins at the site of injection will occur. H2O2
should not be taken orally because it will cause nausea and vomiting.
Rectal administration can lead to inflammation of the lower intestinal tract."
In my opinion, these side effects are caused by the chemical reaction that takes
place when H2O2 comes into contact with these tissues. For example, it
hurts when H2O2 is placed on an open skin wound because it is injuring or
killing more than just bacteria present in the wound. It is cleaning and
debriding your injured skin.
Some of the MANY conditions that Dr. Farr treats with H2O2
therapy:
- AIDS
- arthritis
- cancer
- candidiasis (yeast infection)
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- depression
The following link is an excerpt from a self-help book that discusses H2O2
therapy and ozone therapy.
http://www.maebrussell.com/Health/Oxygen%20Therapies.html
Although the web-site listed above sounds promising, there is a body of
evidence that hydrogen peroxide causes damage to the human body. For
example, the articles listed below are a small sample of the vast
body of evidence that highlights the deleterious effects of H2O2, despite its
recognized use inside the human body (by the human body) and outside the human
body.
- Free radicals, antioxidants, and nutrition.
Fang,-Y-Z;
Yang,-S;
Wu,-G.
Nutrition. 2002 Oct;
18(10): 872-9
- This is a particularly good article for the
reader who wants to take care of him/herself in a healthy manner.
- Effect of mannitol on Helicobacter pylori-induced
cyclooxygenase-2 expression in gastric epithelial AGS cells.
Kim,-H;
Seo,-J-Y;
Kim,-K-H.
Pharmacology. 2002 Dec;
66(4): 182-9
- The radical model of Alzheimer's disease: specific
recognition of Gly29 and Gly33 by Met35 in a beta-sheet model of Abeta: an
ONIOM study.
Brunelle,-P;
Rauk,-A.
J-Alzheimers-Dis.
2002 Aug; 4(4): 283-9
- Modifications of human cardiac sodium channel gating
by UVA light.
Wang,-G-K;
Wang,-S-Y,
J-Membr-Biol.
2002 Sep 15; 189(2): 153-65
- Distinct mechanisms of receptor and nonreceptor
tyrosine kinase activation by reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth
muscle cells: role of metalloprotease and protein kinase C-delta.
Frank,-G-D;
Mifune,-M;
Inagami,-T;
Ohba,-M;
Sasaki,-T;
Higashiyama,-S;
Dempsey,-P-J;
Eguchi,-S.
Mol-Cell-Biol.
2003 Mar; 23(5): 1581-9
In 2001 the watchdog website
www.quackwatch.com posted a book review on American Cancer Society’s
Guide to Complimentary and Alternative Cancer Methods, which was
published in 2000. In an excerpt from the book it was stated that hydrogen
peroxide, hyperbaric oxygen, and oxygen therapy have no scientific evidence
that they can “cure or influence the course of any cancer.”
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/acsbook.html
The same website posted
another article: Oxygenation Therapy: Unproven treatments for Cancer and
AIDS by Saul Green, Ph.D. In this article the author provides some of
the history and common uses for these therapies and then goes on to dispel
some of the misconceptions. One such theory was that anaerobic metabolism
caused and/or supported cancer growth. He reports studies that show no such
evidence and that the use of IV hydrogen peroxide does not substantially
raise the oxygen content of the blood and if the levels are high enough it
can precipitate serious side effects, such as an air embolism which can be
fatal.
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/oxygen.html
The following are additional links to web-sites that
favor the use of hydrogen peroxide therapy:
- Oxygen therapies on-line forum
http://www.curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=193
- Alternative medicine website
http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/therapy/oxidative-therapy.htm
http://www.alternativemedicine.com
http://www.anti-agingmd.com/profile.html
http://www.h2o2-4u.com/
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