by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: Ive heard of H2O2 therapy. What is it and is there any data to support or discredit it?
A: H2O2 is the chemical abbreviation for hydrogen peroxide. H2O2 therapy is a form of "hyperoxygenation" treatment; these types of treatments are also known as oxymedicine, oxidative therapy, bio-oxidative therapy, and oxydology.
H2O2 has been touted for many years as a treatment for cancer. The theory is that it and other hyperoxygenating agents expose cancer cells to high levels of oxygen to kill those cells more readily. For these purposes, H2O2 is administered intravenously, orally, rectally, or even via inhalation, in much higher concentrations (35%) than when used externally for disinfecting wounds (3%) or for hair bleaching (10%).
I have not come across any convincing data to support the internal use of H2O2, even though enthusiasts have tried to prove that it is useful. In addition, I have many concerns about the use of H2O2 because the oxygenation process produces harmful byproducts called "free radicals," which damage all cells--not just cancer cells.
One could argue, I suppose, that traditional chemotherapy is similar in that it damages or destroys cancer cells while also damaging or destroying normal cells (as is demonstrated by the side effects many people experience when receiving chemotherapy). But there is research and data supporting the benefit of chemotherapy over the risk of the side effects; plus, chemotherapy is administered in well monitored settings.
H2O2 is not recognized by the American Cancer Society (ACS) as a legitimate alternative or complementary approach for the treatment of cancer; in fact, the society recommends avoidance of the use of all forms of hyperoxygenation therapy because of the potentially toxic effects.
Q: Ive heard of H2O2 therapy. What is it and is there any data to support or discredit it?
A: H2O2 is the chemical abbreviation for hydrogen peroxide. H2O2 therapy is a form of "hyperoxygenation" treatment; these types of treatments are also known as oxymedicine, oxidative therapy, bio-oxidative therapy, and oxydology.
H2O2 has been touted for many years as a treatment for cancer. The theory is that it and other hyperoxygenating agents expose cancer cells to high levels of oxygen to kill those cells more readily. For these purposes, H2O2 is administered intravenously, orally, rectally, or even via inhalation, in much higher concentrations (35%) than when used externally for disinfecting wounds (3%) or for hair bleaching (10%).
I have not come across any convincing data to support the internal use of H2O2, even though enthusiasts have tried to prove that it is useful. In addition, I have many concerns about the use of H2O2 because the oxygenation process produces harmful byproducts called "free radicals," which damage all cells--not just cancer cells.
One could argue, I suppose, that traditional chemotherapy is similar in that it damages or destroys cancer cells while also damaging or destroying normal cells (as is demonstrated by the side effects many people experience when receiving chemotherapy). But there is research and data supporting the benefit of chemotherapy over the risk of the side effects; plus, chemotherapy is administered in well monitored settings.
H2O2 is not recognized by the American Cancer Society (ACS) as a legitimate alternative or complementary approach for the treatment of cancer; in fact, the society recommends avoidance of the use of all forms of hyperoxygenation therapy because of the potentially toxic effects.