Take A Deep Breath

With advances in technology we all too often forget about the basics. We are so determined to discover the “do it quick, simple and better” method for everything, we lose sight of the basic fundamentals. Forests, our biggest producers of oxygen (O2), are becoming extinct and increases in carbon emissions are quickly growing.
Why is this SO important? Without the basics, we cannot survive. The oxygen we breathe provides 90% of the energy we use and it helps convert the food we eat into energy too. Food and water provide approximately 10% of the energy we use to sustain daily activities.
Our bodies suffer as carbon emissions become greater and the atmosphere has less oxygen. According to Nitish Priyadarshi, “Regarding percentage of oxygen present in the atmosphere in the geological past, it was revealed that air bubbles trapped in fossilized amber had been analyzed and found to contain oxygen levels of 38%. Yet today it is well known that the average content of the oxygen in air is only 19% to 21%. If we believe on the report of oxygen level in the fossilized amber, it appears that since the early history of our earth there has been a stunning decrease of 50% in the average oxygen content of the air we breathe. According to other report, analysis of the air in various parts of the world today reveals the frightening fact that the oxygen content continues to decline. In fact in some of the larger and therefore more polluted cities the oxygen levels have been measured at a disturbing level of 12 to 15%. Scientists claim that anything under 7% oxygen content in the air is too low to support human life, even for short periods.”
In simpler terms, we are not getting enough O2 from the air we breathe from the atmosphere. Poorly ventilated buildings airplanes and other enclosed areas also provide inadequate amounts of fresh air. Lack of oxygen is linked with poor energy levels, memory problems, and physical diseases. We may all feel better and live healthier lives if we can increase O2 intake. Oxygen helps our metabolism function properly, Wiki.answers.com explains that, “Oxygen consumption increases energy output of sugar burning by about 20 fold”.
I found a list of quotes from those who are well-versed on this topic, http://laughjoyfully.com/importance-of-oxygen/, entitled, What The Experts Say On The Importance Of Oxygen
“Deep breathing techniques which increase oxygen to the cell are the most important factors in living a disease free and energetic life… Remember. Where cells get enough oxygen, cancer will not, cannot occur.” –Dr. Otto Warburg, President, Institute of Cell Physiology, Nobel Prize Winner (Dr. Warburg is the only person to ever win the Nobel Prize twice in medicine and he was nominated for a third.)
“Breathing correctly is the key to better fitness, muscle strength, stamina, and athletic endurance.” –Dr. Michael Yessis, Phd., President Sports Training Institute, Fitness Writer – Muscle and Fitness Magazine
“Oxygenation through deep breathing boosts the immune system and can rid the body of chronic illnesses.” –Dr. Sheldon Hendler, MD, Medical Researcher Cell Oxygenation, Author “The Oxygen Breakthrough”
“All body functions are breathing related. Proper oxygen delivery to all parts of your body is crucial to health and well-being. Aerobic exercise increases the body?s available oxygen and therefore promotes wellness. Delivering oxygen to the body is the responsibility of the respiratory system. Breathing is the process by which air enters the bloodstream, via the lungs. Thus, proper breathing, and correcting common breathing disorders, is the ultimate form of aerobics.” –Dr. Robert Fried, Breath Connection, Insight Books, 1990, p. 52
“Oxygen tension in tissues enhances the action of some antibiotics, notably amino-glycosides, and the immune system, and stimulates cellular metabolism.” –Linda Collison, Hyperbarics: when pressuring patients helps, Health Index
“Deep diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect which pulls the lymph through the bloodstream. This increases the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal rate.” –Dr. J.W. Shields, MD, Lymph, lymph glands, and homeostasis. Lymphology, v25, n4, Dec. 1992, p. 147
“Oxygen plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning of the immune system. We can look at oxygen deficiency as the single greatest cause of all diseases.” –Stephen Levine, a respected molecular biologist and geneticist, and Dr. Paris M. Kidd, Ph.D., Antioxidant Adaptation
Planting trees and saving forests will help the planet but it also is mandatory for our survival. Oxygen is a fundamental necessity of life and as we advance our lives with various technologies we should not lose sight of our basic needs. You can provide your body with more oxygen everyday. Here’s how:
1. Exercise
Tai chi and chi gong can be done at any age (check out this video, I am not endorsing buying any videos but I like the video as an introduction so you can decide if and how you prefer to pursue this, http://www.wujiproductions.com/ or http://www.ehow.com/video_4399453_spine-exercises-chi-gong.html )
Deep breathing exercises, read these sections: Use your nose (breath correctly), Factors that assist proper breathing and Deep breathing (http://www.projectrestore.com/library/health/pureair.htm)
Aerobic exercises like biking and walking
2. Replace coffee, soda and other high sugar/caffeine beverages with water (H2O)
3. Find local parks or places where you can relax that have lots of trees and flowers
4. Decorate your home with plants
Seriously consider this especially if you are a frequent traveler or live, according to Dr. Mercola, in the top 5 cities that have the least oxygen in the U.S.: California (LA, Long Beach, Riverside, Fresno, Madera, Bakersfield), Pennsylvannia (Pittsburgh, New Castle) and Oregon (Eugene, Springfield), http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/05/12/air-quality.aspx.
You may want to browse these websites too. Some of the pictures are beautiful:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/OzoneWeBreathe/
http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/WAKI-ViewArticle.aspx?pin=wak-009007
http://www.spokanecleanair.org/documents/kids_pages/Kids%20Page%20Air.pdf
http://www.projectrestore.com/library/health/pureair.htm