Oxygen (O2) – The Source of Life

Oxygen is one of the most important elements required to sustain life.

Most of us suffer from a lack of oxygen due to improper breathing, poor diet or lack of exercise.

Without oxygen, our health begins to suffer. Our cells become weaker, they lose their natural immunity against viruses and die quicker. That leads to a lot of health problems.

Oxygen not only gives life to our cells but also destroys the harmful bacteria in our bodies.

Start improving your health with the following ways of increase oxygen going to your cells immediately. (read more about health)

  1. Breathing

Breathing happens automatically and most of us don’t think about it, and the importance of maintaining a physical and emotional health is directly related to the quality of our breathing.

There are four types of breathing:

• Diaphragmatic – abdominal breathing, belly breathing or deep breathing is breathing that is done by contracting the diaphragm, a muscle located horizontally between the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity. Air enters the lungs and the belly expands during this type of breathing.
• Thoracic – shallow breathing, thoracic breathing, or chest breathing is the drawing of minimal breath into the lungs.
• Clavicular – the most shallow type of breathing. It brings oxygen into only the top third of your lungs.
• Paradoxical– is a strange breathing occurrence where the chest compresses on the inhale rather than expands and vice versa. It is an abnormal medical sign.

Ideally, diaphragmatic breathing is our natural mode of breathing. If it isn’t, and there can be numerous reasons why it isn’t, awareness of what type of breathing you most often employ is the start to changing the way you breathe to a different pattern.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “12.7 percent of American adults have used deep-breathing exercises for health purposes,” which it describes as follows: “Deep breathing involves slow and deep inhalation through the nose, usually to a count of 10, followed by slow and complete exhalation for a similar count. The process may be repeated 5 to 10 times, several times a day.”

  2. Diet

The body is incredibly resilient and efficient but, over time, a poor diet and lifestyle may weaken the health and vitality of your cells. The food you eat is also the food your cells consume, so by eating nutrient-dense food, you provide your cells with the support they need to keep your entire body healthy.  A diet highest in oxygen is a raw food diet with a high concentration of fruits, green vegetables and sprouted seeds and nuts. This is because live fruits, green vegetables and sprouted seeds and nuts are composed of water, which is hydrogen and oxygen. Switching to an oxygen-rich diet often brings immediate energy and a more vibrant face, skin and positive attitude.

  3. Exercise

Aerobic exercise is any exercise that increases the level of oxygen in the body. This exercise, whether it be breathing more, walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, or swimming, conditions the heart and lungs to work more efficiently. Both work to maintain our maximal oxygen uptake. Most fitness experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day three to five times a week.

Adequate oxygenation, proper breathing, a healthy diet, and exercise are essential to health and vitality. Just a few of the potential benefits of maintaining body oxygenation at a balanced level include enhanced brain function, stress reduction, increased energy, and a longer and healthier life.