Are There Benefits of HBOT for Gut Health?

Trust your gut and give it the oxygen it needs to heal

 

Your gut does far more than digest food. It absorbs nutrients, supports your immune system, and houses trillions of bacteria that help keep your body in balance. 

When that system becomes inflamed or damaged, the effects can reach well beyond your stomach. That’s why more gastroenterologists are paying attention to HBOT for gut health, especially for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Continue reading to learn what the science says, and why researchers are so excited about what’s next.

 

Why oxygen matters in the gut

A healthy gut lining is used to work with low oxygen. But when the lining breaks down, as it does in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, immune cells rush in and quickly consume what little oxygen is available. This creates a frustrating cycle: low oxygen fuels inflammation, and inflammation keeps oxygen levels low. [1]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is designed to interrupt that cycle. During treatment, you breathe 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The added pressure allows your blood to carry much more oxygen than usual, reaching tissues that damaged blood vessels can’t supply on their own. [2]

 

Learn more:
Myths vs Facts About Hyperbaric Treatment

 

How HBOT for gut health may help

Researchers point to several ways extra oxygen may support the digestive tract:

• Lowers inflammation: HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammatory proteins linked to gut flare-ups.
• Repairs tissue: More oxygen supports the body’s natural healing process in the intestinal lining.
• Strengthens gut barrier: Studies suggest HBOT may help stabilize the lining that keeps bacteria and toxins where they belong.
• Microbiome changes: HBOT appears to shift the mix of bacteria in the gut, though scientists are still learning exactly how and which changes are most beneficial. [3] [4]

 

What research says

Ulcerative colitis: The strongest evidence to date comes from hospitalized patients with moderate-to-severe flares. Two phase 2 clinical trials found that HBOT helped patients respond better to steroids and avoid rescue medications or surgery. [4]

Crohn’s disease: Some people with Crohn’s Disease develop fistulas, painful tunnels that form within the bowels. These can be difficult to treat. Studies have found that HBOT improves the healing of these fistulas, including more complex cases. [4]

 

Crohn’s Disease patient receiving HBOT at The Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center

 

One mom shared how HBOT became part of her son’s Crohn’s care at our center:

“My 10-year-old son was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease… Both my son & I were processed for the evaluation, and once our medical records and doctor approval went through, we were good to go. I was just amazed at the above-and-beyond kindness at this location!! After dive #4, I noticed we BOTH slept better, had more energy, and my muscles were relaxed like a massage. By #15, we had weaned off 2 medications for GI. Cramps were almost gone completely! We are over 2 months post-treatment, and my son is STILL doing exceptionally well and off a 3rd medication (Budesonide) now.”

—Jenee’ R., via Google Reviews

 

Other gut conditions: HBOT is already a recognized treatment for bowel damage caused by pelvic radiation therapy. Researchers have also reported benefits for C.difficile colitis, a stubborn bacterial infection of the colon. [3]

All of these early results are promising enough that the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded a $12 million-dollar grant to fund a phase 3 clinical trial that would be conducted at 20 sites across the country. This will enable more clinician-scientists to continue studying the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat patients hospitalized with ulcerative colitis flares. [5]

 

Related resource:
HBOT and Crohn’s Disease: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help with Your Treatment and Remission

 

Keeping expectations realistic

Although HBOT is not a stand-alone cure for gut conditions, it works best as an add-on therapy for IBD with your doctor’s approval, alongside medication, nutrition, and ongoing care from your gastroenterologist. 

Many studies so far have been small, and questions remain about how HBOT affects the microbiome over time. The good news is that HBOT is generally safe, and most side effects, like ear pressure, are mild and temporary. 

 

Is HBOT right for you?

If you’re living with a chronic gut condition and looking for ways to support your healing, talk with your doctor about whether HBOT could fit into your treatment plan. Our team at Hyperaric Healing Treatment Center is here to answer your questions and walk you through what to expect. 

 

Want to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for gut health?
We welcome you to contact us today!

 

1: Dulai PS. The Potential Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2024
2: Mayo Clinic | Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
3: Muroya D, et al. Gut Microbiota and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | Medical Gas Research
4: Kaur H, Kochhar GS, Dulai PS. Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
5: Northwestern Medicine | How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Treat IBD?