Doctors have weighed in on Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘pretty weird’ new wellness trend, which involves injecting gas into her rectum.
They warned that there is no robust scientific evidence to support the benefits of the treatment and warned that it could even be toxic to the body.
Dr. Stuart Fischer, an emergency room doctor in New York, told DailyMail.com that the evidence supporting rectal ozone therapy is “controversial at best” and that “the manner and route are highly questionable”.
The unproven and clinically untested therapy consists of the chemical generation of ozone (O3) using an oxygen tank and a small generator that will cost you about $1,500.
Ms Paltrow admitted rectal ozone therapy sounded bizarre, but added that it had been “very helpful” without saying what for
A series of IV ozone treatments at a flash clinic in Southern California or New York can cost you around $1,200. While people can go to a clinic for rectal ozone therapy, many choose to do it at home because after the initial cost of a generator, tubing and oxygen tank, each treatment is cheap to free.
The ozone produced collects in a bag attached to silicone tubing, which, when attached to a catheter and inserted about two inches into the rectum, injects ozone into the body.
Even Ms. Paltrow, no stranger to wacky wellness trends, admits it sounds bizarre, but added that it was “really helpful” — without saying why.
Proponents claim that the therapy reduces inflammation and bacteria, stimulates cell regeneration and anti-aging, improves the immune system and even staves off heart attacks.
But the evidence for its effectiveness and safety is “limited” and “low quality,” according to the Cleveland Clinic, and medical experts are far from convinced.
When asked for comment, doctors at Johns Hopkins Medicine declined to comment, as did Ms. Paltrow’s own doctor, Dr. Will Cole
Worth it? Rectal ozone therapy benefits have been reported to include reduced pain/inflammation, increased energy, improved metabolism/circulation, immune system strengthening, detoxification, anti-aging, and fighting bacterial/viral infections. The science does not conclusively support this
Ozone is a very unstable substance that can damage the lungs if inhaled. It is part of the low-lying smog that covers some large cities.
The Food and Drug Administration, the arbiter of safe medical devices, calls ozone a “toxic gas with no known beneficial medical application in specific, adjunctive, or preventive therapies.”
Dr. Stuart Fischer, who has studied alternative medicine including ozone therapy, told DailyMail.com that instead of embracing wellness trends like Frau does.
“I would say it works, it’s relatively well researched, while the benefits of ozone are debatable at best,” said Dr. fisherman.
He added: “There may be some unknown side effects or unknown benefits. The effectiveness and the nature or route is extremely questionable.”
It’s one of many wellness “hacks” celebrated by Ms. Paltrow that have dubious scientific backing.
Ms Paltrow, a self-proclaimed health guru, has a huge following with more than two million visitors a month to her website, Goop.
She became known for dishing out weird health advice and quirky products like jade eggs, which are inserted into the vagina to supposedly modulate hormone levels.
She is also a fan of alternative interventions such as coffee enemas, vaginal steaming, and being deliberately stung by bees “to remove inflammation and scarring.”
Bizarre health hacks from celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow getting stung by BEES
Gwyneth Paltrow believes that bee stings – aka the organic alternative to botox – actually eliminate inflammation and scarring and leave skin looking radiant.
However, medical professionals do not follow fads.
Ozone (O3) is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Breathing medical ozone, even in small doses, is dangerous.
Inhaling even small amounts of ozone for a short time can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage to the lungs and airways and worsen asthma symptoms.
Rectal ozone therapy bypasses the risks associated with inhalation, at best by delivering it directly into the body through silicone tubes and catheters.
Oxygen (O2) is fed to an ozone generator, which breaks down O2 molecules through a chemical reaction and converts them into ozone (O3). Silicone tubes bring this new ozone gas into the rectum through a catheter.
The treatment takes about 10 minutes and can be repeated several times a week.
Alternative medicine and specialists say that choosing the rectal route of administration helps combat problems such as chronic hepatitis and chronic colitis, among a variety of other conditions.
But the rectal route can cause cramps, bloating and fatigue.
A 2005 report by the Malaysian Ministry of Health on the subject looked at the use of ozone therapy for HIV and other infectious diseases, a heart condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart, infertility and birth problems, orthopedic conditions, skin conditions and cancer.
The health experts there concluded: “The current knowledge about the use of ozone therapy as therapeutic options for various health problems lacks sufficient safety and therapeutic benefit over available conventional therapeutic modalities.”
And complementary and alternative medicine for cancer pointed out that there is “very limited” or “no rigorous evidence” supporting claims of ozone therapy for cancer, such as: B. improving survival or quality of life of cancer patients.
Dr. Kaveh Hoda, gastroenterologist and hepatologist from San Francisco, California subscribed online: “Gastroenterologist here: Not that you would, but please don’t take “rectal ozone therapy”. Don’t put coffee in your butt either.”
Dr. Hoda added, “Gweneth Paltrow is perhaps one of the main causes of people stuffing inappropriate things up their butts.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
