As a Naturopathic Doctor, I know that true wellness starts at the cellular level. If you're struggling with chronic fatigue, low energy, or stubborn inflammatory issues, it often means your cells are running inefficiently. At Integrative Family Medicine of Bend, we often turn to advanced therapies to restore this vitality, and one of the most powerful is Major Auto Hemotherapy (MAH), a specialized form of Ozone IV Therapy. It’s not just a band-aid; it’s a deep, biochemical reset for your body.
The Biochemistry of Ozone: A Cellular 'Workout'
To truly understand why MAH is so effective, we need to look at what happens the moment ozone interacts with your blood.
Step 1: The Initial Reaction
When ozone is introduced into your blood: As soon as ozone enters your blood, it instantly dissociates into oxygen and a free ozone molecule. The free ozone molecule is highly reactive. It immediately donates an electron to the abundant fatty acids (lipids) in the red blood cell membranes.
Step 2: Forming the Beneficial Signal
This donation of an electron forms beneficial compounds called peroxides (specifically, lipid ozonides and hydroperoxides). These peroxides act as powerful oxidizing agents within the cell, which is where the magic happens: They help convert NADH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen) back into NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). The Result: The “bag” of treated blood that goes back into the patient is effectively a therapeutic delivery system of oxygen and beneficial lipid peroxides.
Step 3: Fueling the Cell (The NAD Connection)
The conversion of NADH to NAD is the primary biochemical benefit of this therapy! NAD is a critical coenzyme in every cell, essential for the production of cellular energy (ATP). By increasing NAD, ozone significantly boosts: Oxygen utilization throughout the body. The production of ATP and other vital intermediates that drive almost all cellular function. In simple terms: Ozone creates more available fuel (NAD) so your cells can work efficiently and produce energy.
The Long-Term Benefit: Boosting Your Internal Defense System
The benefits of MAH don't stop once the IV is finished.
Peroxides as Hormesis: The lipid peroxides created by ozone are not just transient molecules. They persist in the cell for a few weeks, acting as a signaling molecule in a process called hormesis (a beneficial stressor). This signaling: Significantly increases endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Your body sees this temporary oxidizing signal and responds by turning up its own, natural anti-aging and detoxification machinery (like Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase, and Superoxide Dismutase). This is the key to lasting wellness. Ozone doesn't just give you antioxidants; it helps your body make its own, creating a more robust, long-term internal defense system against free radicals and chronic inflammation.
A Natural Parallel: The Ozone-Exercise Connection
Think of MAH as a focused, accelerated cellular workout. Just like exercise is a natural and well-known way to increase these same endogenous antioxidant enzymes, ozone provides a similar, yet targeted, stimulus at the cellular level. It's an efficient way to get your cells back into training mode.
What to Expect: Seeing Results
While some patients feel an initial energy boost, it takes time for your body to build up its internal antioxidant enzyme system. Based on our clinical experience at Integrative Family Medicine of Bend, we typically find that it takes about 7 treatments to really start seeing significant, sustained results from Ozone IV therapy. This allows the body enough time to complete the full biochemical reset and fortify its defenses.
If you are dealing with chronic illness, fatigue, or simply want to optimize your health at the deepest cellular level, Major Auto Hemotherapy (MAH) is a powerful, science-backed therapy worth exploring. As the owner of Integrative Family Medicine of Bend, my goal is to provide you with truly integrative solutions that work with your body’s natural processes. Ready to learn if Ozone IV Therapy is right for you? Contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jocelyn Cooper.
Jocelyn Cooper
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