Mailbag! Is “Oxygen Therapy” Worth It?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 24, 2022
I was reading about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cancer and wondering, does it really work?
–Barb from Sandy, UT
****
Barb,
The answer to your question is, it depends.
Hyperbaric oxygen is a therapy where people are placed inside a sealed tank and then the pressure and oxygen inside the tank is increased. The idea behind this therapy is to increase the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and throughout the body.
Using oxygen to fight cancer is thought to help solid cancers such as breast, pancreatic, brain, and liver cancers.
There are two reasons why higher oxygen is thought to be harmful to solid cancer cells.
The first is that some cancer cells thrive in low-oxygen environments, but there are plenty that don’t. In fact, many cancers are known to increase blood vessels through angiogenesis to deliver more oxygen and nutrients, helping the cancer survive.
The second reason hyperbaric oxygen could help treat cancer is that many cancers “band together” when they’re deprived of oxygen, making them resistant to standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. But if you flood cancer cells with oxygen, then they become weaker, allowing treatment to hopefully work better.
A 2012 study in the journal Targeted Oncology reviewed many studies on hyperbaric oxygen, and the researchers concluded that hyperbaric oxygen did work for a select group of cancers:
- breast cancer,
- brain,
- and colon cancer.
Unfortunately, hyperbaric oxygen treatments were not effective for cervical and bladder cancers.
It’s always best to work with your cancer doctor before you try any new therapy.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
SOURCES:
Chen, SY., Tsuneyama, K., Yen, MH. et al. Hyperbaric oxygen suppressed tumor progression through the improvement of tumor hypoxia and induction of tumor apoptosis in A549-cell-transferred lung cancer. Sci Rep 11, 12033 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91454-2
Moen, I., & Stuhr, L. E. (2012). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cancer–a review. Targeted oncology, 7(4), 233–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-012-0233-x
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...