A contribution by Dr. Joris Budweg, ORIGIN HEALTH – Center for Functional Medicine and Longevity, Basel

Many of our patients come to us because they have been suffering from recurring abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation for years – often accompanied by exhaustion, sleep disorders or concentration problems. The diagnosis with which they appear is usually irritable bowel syndrome. But despite countless examinations and attempts at therapy, the condition remains unchanged.

If you recognize yourself in this description, we would like to encourage you to take the next step. At ORIGIN HEALTH – the practice for Functional Medicine & Longevity in Basel – we don’t look at your symptoms in isolation, but as an expression of deeper imbalances in the body. We combine state-of-the-art diagnostics with an individualized treatment approach that goes far beyond the mere treatment of symptoms. Because real progress begins with a different perspective – and an open ear for what your body is trying to tell you.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread gastrointestinal disorder that primarily affects the large intestine. Patients often report abdominal pain, cramps and changing bowel habits. In some cases, diarrhea dominates (IBS-D), in others constipation (IBS-C). Accompanying symptoms such as a lack of energy, constant exhaustion and sleep disorders can significantly reduce quality of life. Many sufferers have to deal with painful symptoms on a daily basis, which have a major impact on their social and professional lives. The symptoms described have an intense impact on quality of life and often lead to chronic stress. Frequently observed symptoms include recurring abdominal pain, cramps and an urgency to have a bowel movement. For many sufferers, these symptoms raise questions about the cause and possible solutions.

The pathophysiology is complex – and this is precisely the challenge, but also the key to therapy. Functional medicine aims to decipher this complex interplay. And these are often hidden deep in the metabolism, in the intestinal flora – or in the nervous system.

Oxygen is absolutely vital. So is the body’s ability to perceive and react to fluctuations in oxygen levels. The 2019 Nobel Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2019, William G. Kaelin Jr, Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza have uncovered how cells perceive oxygen availability. With their work, they created the basis for our understanding of how oxygen influences our cell metabolism and physiological functions.

The IHHT therapy (interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy) makes use of precisely these groundbreaking findings. Like simulated altitude training, which we otherwise only know from high-performance sport, it triggers controlled fluctuations in oxygen levels in order to achieve targeted adaptation and activation of the mitochondria.

In our practice, ORIGIN HEALTH in Basel, we use IHHT therapy to improve mitochondrial performance, support regeneration processes and promote general well-being.

The fact that a controlled reduction in oxygen levels can benefit the body seems contradictory at first. The effect of hypoxia – i.e. a short-term reduction in the oxygen content in the air we breathe – can be perfectly explained by the principle of hormesis. In Longevity Medicine, hormesis is the positive reaction of an organism to a mild, controlled stress stimulus such as cold, heat, fasting or hypoxia. While prolonged stress or an extreme lack of oxygen can lead to damage, mild or temporary hypoxia acts like a training stimulus on your organism.

Why less oxygen is sometimes “more”

The question of whether temporarily reduced oxygen levels (hypoxia) really benefit the body may seem paradoxical at first glance. However, it has actually been shown that mild hypoxia in controlled doses can have remarkable effects:

A study published in May 2023 (“Hypoxia Extends Lifespan and Neurological Function in a Mouse Model of Aging”) was able to prove that a continuous reduction in oxygen levels in genetically pre-stressed mice led to a significant extension of life and improved neurological function. Even if these laboratory findings cannot be fully transferred to humans, they nevertheless draw attention to the potential of “oxygen reduction” as a longevity measure. longevity measure.

IHHT (interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy) does not rely on permanent hypoxia, but on short, alternating phases of reduced and increased oxygen levels. This recurring alternation opens up new opportunities to “train” the body in a targeted manner without risking a permanent undersupply. In addition, not everyone is given the option of only staying at high altitudes from now on.

Chronic fatigue is a complex syndrome characterized by persistent, overwhelming exhaustion that is not relieved by rest. Those affected often suffer from concentration problems, muscle pain, sleep disorders and a pronounced physical and mental stress intolerance. The causes are varied and diagnosis is often difficult as there are no uniform biomarkers. Nevertheless, new scientific findings show that chronic fatigue is linked to profound disturbances in cell energy production, the immune system and detoxification processes in the body.

Chronic fatigue is more than just persistent exhaustion. It is a systemic failure of body regulation that affects millions of people worldwide – often without a clear diagnosis or effective treatment.

Studies estimate that up to 2.5 million people are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) in the USA alone, with a high number of unreported cases. In Germany 250,000 people suffer from ME/CFS according to (pre-pandemic) estimates, in Switzerland around 60,000 people are thought to be affected, and around 17 million worldwide. In principle, any age group can develop ME/CFS, including children and adolescents. However, there are two age peaks for the onset of the disease (adolescence and mid-thirties). Women are three times more likely to be affected than men.

Bryan Johnson, Peter Attia, David Sinclair – the gurus of the longevity scene are the avant-garde of a movement that wants nothing less than to redefine ageing. Their approach? To transform science, technology and extreme discipline into a lifestyle that maximizes health, performance and mental clarity. What was once considered science fiction is now a precise, data-driven approach to living a long, healthy life.

In addition Dr. Manuel Puntschuh: “In our practice Origin Health in Basel I work as a longevity physician with people who do not want to settle for the standard. People who come to me are not looking for short-term solutions, but for an in-depth concept that integrates the best findings of modern science. It’s about optimization, not repair .”