The primary physico-chemical mechanism for the beneficial biological/medical effects of negative air ions

The primary chemical mechanism of the beneficial medical/biological action of negative air ions necessary for life was studied. Air ion deficiency is the cause of many illnesses and treatment with air ion inhalation is effect ive in many cases. However, its application is limited by the absence of kn owledge of the primary mechanism of its action. The superoxide anion O-2(-) was detected in the flow of negative air ions g enerated by an electroeffluvial air ionizer, Earlier, the appearance of hyd rogen peroxide in solutions treated with air ions was shown. The presence o f these reactive oxygen species in ultralow and low concentrations (10(-12) -10(-6) M) suggested that the primary mechanism for the beneficial medical/ biological action of negative air ions is moderate activation of free radic al peroxidative oxidation within a physiological range that is lower than i n tissues under pathology. It was shown in patients that treatment with inhalation of negative air ion s did not induce pathological changes in superoxide dismutase activity and, under simultaneous administration of a food antioxidant, led to its mild i ncrease. The latter, along with some previous results, supports the propose d mechanism. In addition, taking the proposed mechanism into consideration, air ion doses for treatment ran be selected on an individual basis and sho uld depend on the redox state of the patient. This should achieve better re sults for medical treatment with ionized air.