Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen – Anti-Aging Effects

Are you looking for a safe and effective treatment to combat the effects of aging? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (otherwise known as HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment. It has show to have very minimal side effects and has cumulative evidence that demonstrates its efficacy in the treatment of a wide variety of illnesses and ailments. Additionally, studies have shown promising benefits in promoting anti-aging effects.

What do you Mean by Anti-Aging?

Age-related diseases are a growing concern world-wide. They are defined as health conditions that commonly occur as people grow older. These diseases are characterized by a gradual decline in bodily functions and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life as they age. Age-related diseases can vary in severity and presentation, ranging from mild discomfort to serious, life-threatening conditions, such as:

  • Cardiovascular diseases
    • Coronary heart disease
    • Stroke
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Arthritis
  • Macular degeneration
  • Certain types of cancer
    • Colon
    • Breast
    • Prostate

The development of age-related diseases is influenced by a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and the natural aging process itself. As our bodies age, the cells, tissues, and organs gradually become less efficient in repairing damage, leading to an increased risk of disease.

So, anti-aging effects refer to the ability of a substance or therapy to prevent or lessen the signs and symptoms that accompany the aging process. This typically involves improving skin health, reducing visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots, and promoting overall wellness in individuals as they age.

What is Hyperbaric Medicine?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive, specialized medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. During HBOT, the patient enters a specially designed chamber and the air pressure inside is gradually increased to a level higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, a patient’s lungs, blood, and tissues can gather an increased amount of oxygen than would be possible even in an outdoor setting. HBOT is commonly used to treat decompression sickness (the bends), which can occur in scuba divers who ascend too quickly. It is also used in the management of carbon monoxide poisoning, as it helps to remove carbon monoxide from the bloodstream and replace it with oxygen.

Emerging studies suggest that HBOT may offer promising benefits in combating degenerative conditions by promoting tissue and blood vessel regeneration. By stimulating the growth of new blood vessels in areas of compromised circulation, it has shown potential in the treatment of various conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease, Macular Degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis, and immune-related diseases. In addition to its role in vascular health, HBOT has also been found to activate collagen, which helps address the visible signs of aging, such as skin damage and loss of elasticity. 

Circulation and General Blood Flow with HBOT

The Heart with HBOT

The Brain with HBOT

The Joints, Soft Tissue & Bones with HBOT

The Eyes with HBOT

The Skin with HBOT

General Health with HBOT

Clinical Resarch on Anti-Aging Effects

A study published in 2012 focused on the effects of HBOT preconditioning and its protective properties against Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) induced skin damage. Three groups of hairless mice were exposed to UV-A, three days a week for 22 weeks, with two of the groups receiving HBOT pretreatment either two or four times a week. UV-A exposure amplified skin cell death, signifying elevated levels of skin damage. The study found that pretreatment with HBOT substantially reduced UV-A induced cell death. In addition, HBOT pretreatment prevented skin creasing and maintained skin elasticity.

A recent study published in 2021 focused on the effects of HBOT on the skin of a normal, non-pathological, aging population. There were 13 male participants, aged 68, that consented and enrolled in the study. To be eligible, they could not display pathological cognitive decline or have experienced a stroke, heart attack, cancer, severe renal failure, uncontrolled diabetes, or pulmonary disease in the year prior to enrollment. They also could not be taking immunosuppressants, have a BMI greater than 35, or be smokers. Skin biopsies were taken at baseline, after a three-month control period (no treatment), and again after three months of HBOT. Participants received 90-minute sessions, five times per week. Each session consisted of exposure to 100% oxygen at twice atmospheric pressure with 5-minute breaks every 20 minutes. The results of the study indicated, for the first time in humans, that HBOT can significantly modulate the pathophysiology of the skin aging in a healthy aging population. The demonstrated mechanisms include angiogenesis and senescent cell clearance.

A study published in 2020 aimed to evaluate whether HBOT affects telomere length (TL) and senescence-like T-cells population in aging adults. Thirty-five healthy independently living adults, aged 64 and older, were enrolled to receive 60 daily HBOT exposures. Whole blood samples were collected at baseline, at the 30th and 60th session, and again 1-2 weeks following the last HBOT session. The results of this study found, for the first time in humans, that repeated daily HBOT sessions can increase peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) telomere length by more than 20% in an aging population, with B cells having the most striking change.

Telomere length holds significant importance because it’s associated with aging, age-related diseases, and overall health. Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA found at the ends of chromosomes that act as protective caps. They play a crucial role in maintaining chromosomal stability and integrity. Telomeres naturally shorten with each cell division and eventually reach a critical length where cells can no longer replicate. This process contributes to cellular aging and senescence. Shortened telomeres are often considered a hallmark of biological aging. Studies have shown that individuals with shorter telomeres tend to have an increased risk of age-related diseases and a reduced lifespan. Therefore, telomere length serves as a potential marker of biological age. It’s important to note that while telomere length is a valuable marker, it’s not the sole determinant of aging or disease risk. Other factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences also play significant roles in the aging process and disease development. 

Cellular senescence plays a complex and dual role in various physiological processes. It serves as a protective mechanism against cancer and aids in wound healing and tissue repair. However, the accumulation of senescent cells over time can contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Ongoing research into cellular senescence offers insights into its importance and potential therapeutic strategies to alleviate its negative impact.

A recent study published in 2022 provided the first comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which HBOT targets the aging process, as well as its potential therapeutic implications supported by pre-clinical and small-scale clinical studies. They sorted through an extensive amount of research to find consistent therapeutic targets of HBOT overlapped considerably with those of aging and age-related diseases. Overall, the overview emphasizes the noninvasive nature, favtorable safety profile, and common clinical application of HBOT as a strategy to achieve healthy aging.

Are you looking for a safe and effective treatment to combat the effects of aging? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (otherwise known as HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment. It has show to have very minimal side effects and has cumulative evidence that demonstrates its efficacy in the treatment of a wide variety of illnesses and ailments. Additionally, studies have shown promising benefits in promoting anti-aging effects.

What do you Mean by Anti-Aging?

Age-related diseases are a growing concern world-wide. They are defined as health conditions that commonly occur as people grow older. These diseases are characterized by a gradual decline in bodily functions and can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life as they age. Age-related diseases can vary in severity and presentation, ranging from mild discomfort to serious, life-threatening conditions, such as:

  • Cardiovascular diseases
    • Coronary heart disease
    • Stroke
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Arthritis
  • Macular degeneration
  • Certain types of cancer
    • Colon
    • Breast
    • Prostate

The development of age-related diseases is influenced by a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and the natural aging process itself. As our bodies age, the cells, tissues, and organs gradually become less efficient in repairing damage, leading to an increased risk of disease.

So, anti-aging effects refer to the ability of a substance or therapy to prevent or lessen the signs and symptoms that accompany the aging process. This typically involves improving skin health, reducing visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots, and promoting overall wellness in individuals as they age.

What is Hyperbaric Medicine?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive, specialized medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. During HBOT, the patient enters a specially designed chamber and the air pressure inside is gradually increased to a level higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, a patient’s lungs, blood, and tissues can gather an increased amount of oxygen than would be possible even in an outdoor setting. HBOT is commonly used to treat decompression sickness (the bends), which can occur in scuba divers who ascend too quickly. It is also used in the management of carbon monoxide poisoning, as it helps to remove carbon monoxide from the bloodstream and replace it with oxygen.

Emerging studies suggest that HBOT may offer promising benefits in combating degenerative conditions by promoting tissue and blood vessel regeneration. By stimulating the growth of new blood vessels in areas of compromised circulation, it has shown potential in the treatment of various conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease, Macular Degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis, and immune-related diseases. In addition to its role in vascular health, HBOT has also been found to activate collagen, which helps address the visible signs of aging, such as skin damage and loss of elasticity. 

Circulation and General Blood Flow with HBOT

The Heart with HBOT

The Brain with HBOT

The Joints, Soft Tissue & Bones with HBOT

The Eyes with HBOT

The Skin with HBOT

General Health with HBOT

Clinical Resarch on Anti-Aging Effects

A study published in 2012 focused on the effects of HBOT preconditioning and its protective properties against Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) induced skin damage. Three groups of hairless mice were exposed to UV-A, three days a week for 22 weeks, with two of the groups receiving HBOT pretreatment either two or four times a week. UV-A exposure amplified skin cell death, signifying elevated levels of skin damage. The study found that pretreatment with HBOT substantially reduced UV-A induced cell death. In addition, HBOT pretreatment prevented skin creasing and maintained skin elasticity.

A recent study published in 2021 focused on the effects of HBOT on the skin of a normal, non-pathological, aging population. There were 13 male participants, aged 68, that consented and enrolled in the study. To be eligible, they could not display pathological cognitive decline or have experienced a stroke, heart attack, cancer, severe renal failure, uncontrolled diabetes, or pulmonary disease in the year prior to enrollment. They also could not be taking immunosuppressants, have a BMI greater than 35, or be smokers. Skin biopsies were taken at baseline, after a three-month control period (no treatment), and again after three months of HBOT. Participants received 90-minute sessions, five times per week. Each session consisted of exposure to 100% oxygen at twice atmospheric pressure with 5-minute breaks every 20 minutes. The results of the study indicated, for the first time in humans, that HBOT can significantly modulate the pathophysiology of the skin aging in a healthy aging population. The demonstrated mechanisms include angiogenesis and senescent cell clearance.

A study published in 2020 aimed to evaluate whether HBOT affects telomere length (TL) and senescence-like T-cells population in aging adults. Thirty-five healthy independently living adults, aged 64 and older, were enrolled to receive 60 daily HBOT exposures. Whole blood samples were collected at baseline, at the 30th and 60th session, and again 1-2 weeks following the last HBOT session. The results of this study found, for the first time in humans, that repeated daily HBOT sessions can increase peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) telomere length by more than 20% in an aging population, with B cells having the most striking change.

Telomere length holds significant importance because it’s associated with aging, age-related diseases, and overall health. Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA found at the ends of chromosomes that act as protective caps. They play a crucial role in maintaining chromosomal stability and integrity. Telomeres naturally shorten with each cell division and eventually reach a critical length where cells can no longer replicate. This process contributes to cellular aging and senescence. Shortened telomeres are often considered a hallmark of biological aging. Studies have shown that individuals with shorter telomeres tend to have an increased risk of age-related diseases and a reduced lifespan. Therefore, telomere length serves as a potential marker of biological age. It’s important to note that while telomere length is a valuable marker, it’s not the sole determinant of aging or disease risk. Other factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences also play significant roles in the aging process and disease development. 

Cellular senescence plays a complex and dual role in various physiological processes. It serves as a protective mechanism against cancer and aids in wound healing and tissue repair. However, the accumulation of senescent cells over time can contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Ongoing research into cellular senescence offers insights into its importance and potential therapeutic strategies to alleviate its negative impact.

A recent study published in 2022 provided the first comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which HBOT targets the aging process, as well as its potential therapeutic implications supported by pre-clinical and small-scale clinical studies. They sorted through an extensive amount of research to find consistent therapeutic targets of HBOT overlapped considerably with those of aging and age-related diseases. Overall, the overview emphasizes the noninvasive nature, favtorable safety profile, and common clinical application of HBOT as a strategy to achieve healthy aging.