Stabilized Oxygen Benefits

Stabilized oxygen is a product under severe scrutiny for some of its claims. It has been proven to act as a disinfectant for drinking water, but its claims to improve health by raising oxygen levels in the bloodstream have been challenged by several organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission.

Definition

• Stabilized oxygen, also known as aerobic oxygen, is oxygen that has been chemically inserted into a liquid solution. "Stabilized" generally refers to a bonding process with certain salts, in which the oxygen atoms are lightly bonded with magnesium or potassium salts suspended in a liquid solution. According to Portal Market, oxygen can also be placed more easily in liquid solutions using dry mixtures that first create the "nascent" oxygen before releasing it into the solution.

Purification

• One primary and proven benefit of stabilized oxygen is in the purification of drinking water. While these intense doses of oxygen cannot be drunk, they can be added as chemical enhancers to gallons of water, upon which it acts as a disinfectant. About 20 drops to one gallon of water is proven to kill harmful organisms within the water, due to the oxygen's effects on other particles and similar the oxidation method used by water treatment plants. This method has been acknowledged by the World Health Organization.

Other Uses

• Stabilized oxygen is also sold under a variety of brand names as a health supplement. It is intended to help replenish the body's natural levels of oxygen and help fight both diseases and infections, along with being advantageous for those suffering from various circulatory or pulmonary problems. A number of other benefits, including increased mental alertness and better sleep cycles have also been linked to the supplement under the name "Vitamin O."

Contention

• In response to the claims of companies marketing various forms of stabilized oxygen, other scientists have stated there is no reason to believe oxygen supplements are effective and that even if they do increase the body's natural oxygen levels then they do not support the claims made by their manufacturers. The Federal Trade Commission, among others, has filed lawsuits against some of the claims about some types of stabilized oxygen, including its ability to prevent serious diseases.

Scientific Problems

• Scientists raise questions with oxygen supplements primarily because there is no certain evidence that taking oxygen supplements actually raises oxygen levels in the blood at all. While a certain amount of oxygen can be instilled in a liquid medium, it enters the digestive system, not the lungs, so none of the oxygen is actually absorbed into the blood, and oxygen levels are not noticeably affected. Claims that the oxygen levels of breathable air are diminishing have also been proven incorrect.