Vitamin O

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Despite its name, vitamin O is not a vitamin. But, it’s a little hard to know exactly what it is. Manufacturers are not clear about the chemical formula. One supplier describes its product as a mildly buffered solution of deionized water and sodium chloride with a pH of 7.2. Another supplier lists magnesium peroxide as the active ingredient. Still another claims the ingredients are secret. Sometimes vitamin O is called “liquid oxygen.” But keep in mind that oxygen only exists in a liquid form at temperatures below -183 degrees C.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that vitamin O appears to be nothing more than saltwater. In May 2000, Rose Creek Health Products agreed to pay $375,000 to settle FTC charges that they made false and unsubstantiated health claims in their advertising for “Vitamin O.” The settlement prohibits the company from making unsupported representations that “Vitamin O” is an effective treatment for any life-threatening diseases, or that the effectiveness of “Vitamin O” is established by medical or scientific research or studies.

People take vitamin O for increasing energy; improving immune function; eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; treating yeast infections; eliminating toxins and poisons from the body; and healing mouth sores.

Vitamin O is also used for improving concentration, memory and alertness; calming the nervous system; easing depression, irritability, unexplained hostility and dizziness; relieving arthritis, muscle aches and pains, asthma, bronchial problems, emphysema and lung disease, sinus infection, diabetes, body weakness, chronic fatigue, and heart and circulation problems.

Vitamin O has been used for obesity; constipation; gas and bloating; loss of appetite; poor digestion; stomach acid; premenstrual syndrome (PMS); menopause; sexual performance problems; headaches; migraines; premature aging; rashes; skin problems; itchy ears, nose, and anus; and tumors and deposit buildup.

Vitamin O is sometimes applied to the skin as a germ-killer (antiseptic).

How does it work?

Vitamin O supposedly contains ingredients that release oxygen, but there is little scientific evidence to back this claim.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Arthritis.
• Asthma.
• Constipation.
• Depression.
• Diabetes.
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.
• Irritability.
• Lung disease.
• Menopause.
• Mouth sores.
• Muscle aches and pains.
• Obesity.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Sexual problems.
• Increasing energy.
• Improving alertness, concentration, immune function, and memory.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of vitamin O for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

It is not known if vitamin O is safe or what the potential side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of vitamin O during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The appropriate dose of vitamin O depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Vitamin O. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.