Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduce the signs of aging? A new study involving a number of elderly patients and their physical fitness levels shows that HBOT offers numerous health benefits that can literally turn back the clock for some individuals.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT?)
HBOT is a treatment in which individuals breathe pure oxygen while inside of a pressurized chamber to expedite recovery and healing. The higher the level of pressure inside the chamber, the higher the amount of oxygen in one’s blood. It’s known for helping patients with wounds that are difficult to heal, along with decreasing swelling and preventing tissue death.
Celebrity, Athlete Endorsements of HBOT
HBOT has been the treatment of choice for many celebrities including Justin Bieber and Mayim Bialik to improve their health and wellness. Bialik, for example, has used HBOT to address inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
In addition to Bieber and Bialik, HBOT is also used by celebrity athletes like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, NBA basketball star Michael Phelps, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and many more to heal sports-related ailments and shorten recovery time.
Scientific Research on HBOT and Aging
But while celebrity and athlete use of HBOT might seem like a passing fad, this type of treatment is anything but. A new study involving elderly patients indicates that HBOT can actually help people increase their maximal oxygen uptake, or Vo2Max, therefore boosting their physical fitness levels and helping them age in reverse.
Dr. Shai Efrati, an HBOT pioneer, has worked to prove that HBOT can alleviate vascular dysfunction in elderly patients and boost cognition post-stroke. In a new study, he recruited 63 elderly patients (with the median age of 70 years) to assess HBOT’s effect on VO2Max, which is an indicator of one’s cardio fitness. VO2 levels tend to drop with age, and previous research suggests that VO2Max can predict how long one might live.
Benefits of HBOT for Elderly Patients
In the study, a number of elderly patients underwent 60 HBOT sessions over the course of several months. The patients who completed HBOT realized a significant increase in their VO2Max and a significant uptick in maximal oxygen uptake normalized for body weight. The effect size was moderate but noticeable, suggesting that HBOT can improve aging adults’ physical performance. Not only did patients improve their maximal oxygen consumption, they also improved their aerobic threshold, which describes the transition from aerobic energy production to a mix of aerobic and anaerobic. People with higher values can exercise longer without losing their breath.
Though VO2Max reliance is low for young people, those who are elderly rely on their VO2Max for everyday tasks. Therefore, HBOT can be life-changing for older adults, offering numerous health benefits for those who want to enjoy longer and more active lives.
Conclusion
As a trusted distributor of medical-grade oxygen, we at CalOx are dedicated to helping providers of HBOT keep their patients’ lives long and healthy. Contact us today to learn more.
Source: https://www.lifespan.io/news/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-increases-fitness-in-elderly/