Medically Speaking
Alan Umbright
August 23, 2006

Canned Oxygen

What will they think of next? A routine stop at 7-Eleven had me scratching my head in amazement as I gazed at a new product: canned oxygen.

Bottled water seemed to be pushing the envelope of what people would pay good money for when it first appeared on the market. But will people buy oxygen? After all, it’s not as if we can’t get an adequate supply – from breathing!

But canned oxygen is here, and some market segments are interested enough to have made it a viable product for the time being. A little research on the issue reveals that there are several brands, and the air in the cans is often imbued with a “flavor” in order to make it even more appealing.

Oxygen purveyors claim that the earth’s atmosphere is becoming depleted of this critical gas and hype the supposed health benefits of their product. Inhaling pure oxygen is said to create a sense of well being and increase physical energy.

My medical instincts tell me that this is an unnecessary product that has few or no proven benefits. But to get a more specialized opinion, I turned to Howard Goldberg, MD, a pulmonologist on staff at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West. “This trend began overseas several months ago,” Dr. Goldberg says. “And this isn’t the only type of product out there that claims to improve health through increased oxygen levels in the body. Oxygenated water, vitamins and nutritional supplements are available and promise a whole array of health benefits.”

Dr. Goldberg treats patients who have specific pulmonary conditions, such as asthma, or diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which often result in the body’s inability to absorb adequate amounts of oxygen through regular breathing. Therefore, some people need a supplemental supply of oxygen in order to ensure that enough oxygen is delivered to the bloodstream. “But medical oxygen, which is usually provided via specialized equipment and pumped continually into the patient, is far different from taking a few puffs of gas from a can,” he says.

“The symptoms that are ascribed to low oxygen levels in product advertisements include fatigue, headaches, stress, mood swings and insomnia. But these are very broad symptoms that may be caused by simple lifestyle choices or by serious medical disorders. My advice for people who think these symptoms are severe enough to warrant self-medication with any sort of supplement is to see your doctor for a complete physical,” Dr. Goldberg says.

He adds that while hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, are a serious problem often associated with illness, people who suffer from this condition are not simply feeling a bit tired while carrying on with their normal routine. “Yes, we need oxygen. And an otherwise healthy person can get it from taking a few deep breaths,” he notes.

There’s no compelling research to support the health claims of canned oxygen purveyors. If you’re stressed or tired, breathe deeply, slowly and completely into your belly four or five times. This is called diaphragmatic breathing, and it is a powerful way to calm and energize yourself throughout the day. No can needed.

Dr. Umbright's Medically Speaking column is now available on www.ssmstjosephwest.com. Click on the Healthy Living Guide apple icon for general health information and to view color photos and illustrations regarding a variety of medical procedures and conditions. You can also sign up to receive a free health e-newsletter.  

Alan Umbright, MD, is the Executive Medical Director of Emergency Services at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis, SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles and SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville. He is a graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine.