Adrenaline Junkie: Integrative Medicine

LBA (lab blood analysis) and body composition test shows the following results:

1) Cancer Marker: Negative (thank Allah!)

2) Overall fat: Very high

3) Visceral Fat (fat around organs - most dangerous that can cause heart conditions, stroke,

etc): Very high

4) Subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin): all below normal (due to exercise, which is good)

5) Skeletal muscle: High (which is good - again due to exercise)

6) BMI: Obese

7) Body age: 77 vs actual age 61

LBA also shows that every organ is my body (heart, kidney, liver, spleen, etc.) is not working at optimal level. Apart from bad dietary habits and medication, another factor contributing to this condition is the surgery that I had undergone in 2007. It was a surgery to remove the gall bladder due to stones. However, during the procedure, the surgeon had accidentally nicked the central bile duct (CBD) that caused bile to flood into my abdomen. Bile is toxic and it has caused damage to the internal organs due to peritonitis. However, I was lucky that I was treated before more damage was done to the organs – I had an abdominal surgery and 2 litres of pus was drained from my abdomen and I was treated with antibiotics. I was told by the doctor who did the LBA that peritonitis is potentially fatal if not addressed immediately and it affects the well-being of one’s internal organs. Learning about this now makes me understand why my surgeon, Prof Razman Jarmin of HUKM, told me that a majority of his patients who had similar conditions to mine, usually continue to see him for between 5 – 10 years from the surgery.

The above revelation really opened my eyes on my overall health condition. I thank Allah that I had survived a potentially fatal condition in 2007 and I decided to try Ozone Therapy as a preventive measure before more serious health issues arise. It is also time to adjust my eating habits and exercise regime.

Ozone Therapy originated in Germany in the 18^th century although it had also been used in ancient civilisation. It involves introducing controlled doses of ozone into the blood to rid the blood of plaque, toxins and other free radicals that we get from the air we breathe, food, medication, lack of exercise and our unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking. The blood goes through a process of “cleansing” when ozone is added and blood is re-infused into the body.

Ozone therapy is a simple naturopathic medical procedure that improves both circulation and utilization of oxygen by the tissues. Circulation is improved as ozone decreases the thickness and viscosity of the blood, and may stimulate dilation and relaxation of the artery walls. This can help compensate for blockages in the arteries from fats (atheromatous plaques). Ozone therapy strongly stimulates both proper circulation (delivery of oxygen), and proper energy generation (utilization of oxygen). The cells in your body, including the heart (angina), muscles (claudication pain) generate their own energy for use. Oxygen is vital to this process. If the cells can generate enough energy, there will be less fatigue and less pain. Ozone helps with both oxygen delivery and with the way the cells use oxygen once it has been delivered.

Ozone also has very well-defined effects on the immune system, particularly by regulating the activity of the white blood cells. This makes it extremely useful in allergic and autoimmune conditions.

Ozone consists of 3 Oxygen atoms, whereas Oxygen has only 2 oxygen atoms. It is this extra oxygen atom which gives ozone its instability and its power. The extra oxygen atom is not comfortable where it is, and it makes the ozone very unstable. This extra oxygen atom wants to immediately attach itself to something else to find stability and to release an oxygen molecule.

Let’s take for example how ozone works to neutralize viruses or bacteria and other pathogens (an agent that causes disease, especially a living microorganism such as a bacterium or fungus).

When ozone comes into contact with a virus for example, it immediately disrupts the very delicate and frail viral cellular envelope surrounding the viral organism. This leads to a breakdown of the viral cell wall and also a rupture of the virus, leading to its destruction. Ozone therapy has been proven in studies to be able to destroy virtually all viruses, some more so than others. It has also been successfully used in Germany to treat HIV.

Ozone therapy is a medical act and must be done by a professionally-qualified medical practitioner. The doctor that I visited has been practising Integrative Medicine for the past 28 years. Integrative Medicine is a blend of western and alternative medicine. Integrative medicine is fast gaining popularity in Malaysia as cure for certain conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart conditions and also as preventive measure to maintain good health.

Detractors of ozone therapy claim that it is dangerous to introduce ozone into the blood because when you mention ozone, most think of smog and toxicity. Rising incidence of asthma and other respiratory disorders in polluted cities bear testimony to this line of thinking. Yet, on the other hand, experts warn us that the depleting ozone layer in the atmosphere are putting us in danger of cancer as the ozone layer fail to block out the ultraviolet rays from the sun that cause cancer. In this instance, ozone is seen as good.

Many people do not seem to realize that ozone in pure form and ozone mixed with pollutants behave differently. (Furthermore, the ozone layer in the stratosphere has a different impact on humans than that on a beach.). Many people have benefited from ozone therapy so the jury is still out there on this form of therapy but I am willing to give it a try given the current state of my health.