Searching this topic I found an interesting blog post titled “On The Mechanisms Of Toxicity Of Chlorine Oxides Against Malarial Parasites,” Dr. Thomas Hesselink explores the use of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) as a possible treatment for malaria. This idea originated from Jim Humble’s discovery that acidified sodium chlorite, a disinfectant used for sanitizing water, could also be taken orally to treat malaria.
The article explains that chlorine dioxide works by targeting essential compounds in pathogens—such as thiols, polyamines, and purines—which are critical for their growth and survival. By disrupting these molecules, chlorine dioxide effectively kills parasites like Plasmodium, which causes malaria, as well as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. What makes this treatment promising is its simplicity, rapid action, and affordability.
Dr. Hesselink emphasizes the potential for chlorine dioxide to revolutionize the treatment of malaria, especially in areas with limited access to traditional medical treatments. He notes that although initial evidence points to its effectiveness, more research is urgently needed to better document the treatment’s efficacy, safety, and potential to combat other infectious diseases.
The blog post concludes with a call for more extensive research to validate this approach and investigate the broader applications of acidified sodium chlorite, potentially making it one of the most powerful antimicrobial agents available. However, there are safety concerns, particularly regarding overuse, which could lead to oxidative stress or harmful side effects. Despite this, the article highlights the exciting possibility of using chlorine dioxide to target other parasites and infections that heavily rely on thiol-dependent processes.
This potential breakthrough could pave the way for affordable, widely accessible treatments for many infections around the world.
By Thomas L. Hesselink, MD of Aurora, Illinois
Read it here:
http://bioredox.mysite.com/CLOXhtml/CLOXhome.htm
