Oxygen – Good, Bad and the Ugly
While Oxygen is Required for Life,
It is Responsible for Most Biological Degradation (Aging)
By: Dr. Skip Hellen ND, CNC (Health Doctor)  Rev. 11/15/2013

Life on earth is based on the 5 basic elements below:

    1.     Carbon
    2.     Hydrogen
    3.     Nitrogen
    4.     Oxygen
    5.     Sulfur

Of these elements, oxygen is most abundant. Oxygen constitutes by weight about 65% of the human body, 47% of dry soil, 46% of igneous rocks, 85% of sea water, 42% of all the vegetation, and 50% of the crust of the earth. While oxygen is essentially odorless, tasteless, and colorless, without it life as we know it would not exist on planet earth. In fact, we can survive without food for a number of weeks, we can survive without water for many days, but without oxygen most will die in a few short minutes. Given the extreme importance of this 'simple gas of life' here are some interesting oxygen facts.

· Oxygen is responsible for 90% of our nutritional energy, with around 10% coming from the food we eat. The more stabilized oxygen in the body the healthier the body will be. In short, stabilized oxygen is one of the most important anti-aging substances and unstable oxygen is one of the mot aging substances.

· Oxygen has the natural ability to oxidize and/or catabolize viruses, fungi, and bacteria. This ability is a vitally important part of the body’s immune system to sustain optimal, prevent degenerative illnesses and diseases.

· Oxygen is natures cleansing gas. It is a critical factor for burning up the body's accumulated toxins – those that are generated by the internal biochemical waste of metabolic life and those of external sources such as the environment, water, and consumptive habits – particularly junk (low nutrient – high calorie) foods. In short, the lower body tissue oxygen levels, the higher the body tissue toxin levels. This biological imbalance promotes an environment suitable for the proliferation of illness and disease not natural, spontaneous healing and optimal health.

· In fact, diseases like cancer are proven to a result of oxygen deficiency at the cellular level (Dr. Otto Warburg – Nobel Prize 1931). Without adequate oxygen, cells lose the ability to function normally (metabolically produce anaerobic energy), which causes cancer disease. Many diseases are linked to biological and cellular oxygen starvation, also known as hypoxia, or low oxygen levels. 

· Oxygen concentrations in human blood is about 60-70%, at which level healthy biology function well supporting normal energy demands and brain activity. However, if oxygen levels drop lower than 60%, a wide range of biological stresses occur and the cells begin to be overwhelmed with spontaneous pathogenic proliferation which leads to illness, disease and general biological degeneration (rapid aging). The lowest level of oxygen concentration required to maintain life is around 52%. Of course at this level, life itself is in serious jeopardy.

· Reliable scientific studies reveal that atmosphere oxygen levels were significantly higher only a few hundred years ago. Recent measurements revealed that the present earth's atmosphere is below 20% oxygen. In some areas that are heavily industrialized, where high levels of pollution exist, oxygen levels are often under 10%. 

· The level of oxygen in the earth's atmosphere has been seriously depleted due to many factors, some of which are currently vigorously debated as to who or what is responsible and what to do about it, such as: the industrial revolution; the use of carbon-based fuels; and the systematic practice of deforestation – depletion of large tracts of oxygen generating plant and tree areas. Some scientific studies, have estimated that atmospheric oxygen concentration levels are currently dropping by about 0.8% every fifteen years. This is nearly 1% a year. With the current 20% atmospheric levels, 1% drop and year only gives us around 20 years before oxygen levels drop to zero which of course means the end of all aerobic life on planet earth.

· Hopefully it is becoming clear why proper oxygen levels are absolutely critical for not only health but life. Oxygen is the sole element that has the capability of combining with practically all other elements to form the essential ingredients that are required for building, and maintaining optimal health. For example: water is made up of oxygen and hydrogen; carbohydrates are made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon; proteins are made up of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen.

 The list of crucial, life sustaining roles played by oxygen is nearly endless. Oxygen is the main ingredient in the following processes.  

Combustion
Deodorizing

Disinfecting
Oxidization

Preserver
Sanitizer

 
Human cells are energized and vitalized by oxygen, which provides the energy to heal and regenerate. Oxygen regulates nearly all the biological functions of the body. The ability to eat, digest, feel, move, talk, sleep, and think are all dependent on the energy generated by oxygen. Our body uses oxygen for metabolizing food for energy, the elimination of biological waste and toxins via oxidation. Oxygen is used by the brain to process information.

 Why proper breathing exercises (oxycise – oxygen loading) improves health!
1.Increased oxygen increases the metabolic set point (metabolic efficiency). The digestive tract is lined with tiny fingerlike projections called intestinal villi. Their task is to absorb calcium, iodine, essential fats, amino acids, and dozens of other metabolism-supercharging nutrients. To do this efficiently, intestinal villi require an enormous amount of oxygen – significantly more oxygen than most other tissues in the body. When oxygen is reduced (the case in around 90% of the human population), the ability of villi to absorb nutrients plunges by 70-80%, according to research at the University of Edinburgh in the UK. When oxygen intake improves, health restoring nutrient absorption increases dramatically within minutes, quickly raising metabolic efficiency as much as 30%.
2. Increased oxygen increases levels of fat-burning energy. Weight loss and high energy are dependent on the quick conversion of food and fat into packets of usable energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This occurs best when cells are bathed in slightly alkaline (pH above 7) fluids. Oxygen is an alkaline gas so deep breathing keeps cells oxygenated, helping the body maintain a slightly alkaline (above 7.0) pH. Oxygen loading or deep breathing is the secret to not only optimal ATP production (energy), but low body fat (Body Mass Index – BMI) and reduced toxic accumulation (optimal health).
3. Oxygen serves to remove fat-accumulated toxins. Reduction of man-made chemicals like pesticides, preservatives and other toxins is essential for fat reduction (weight loss). Scientists have discovered that when cellular (fat) born toxin levels raise, thyroid gland, adrenals and other metabolic and weight-regulating glands become sluggish. To exacerbate the problem, in a natural effort to protect these vital organs, the body forms additional fat that can store more toxins. These autonomic biological actions push the body in an unhealthy direction. Fat accumulated toxins must be removed to clear the path for fat reduction.  

More good news

Around 70% of these toxins are easily converted into gases that can be quickly expelled through proper deep breathing exercises. In short, proper breathing can significantly reduce the body’s accumulated toxic load. In fact, simply breathing slowly and deeply, to maximize the oxygen intake and the carbon dioxide and wastes exhalation, increases the release of fat-accumulated toxins by up to fifteen times that of normal breathing.
4. Oxygen oxidizes not only toxins but body fat. This breakdown of accumulated toxins and body fat occurs when oxygen molecules combine with toxins and fat, oxidizing or burning them. Scientific research reveals that most people currently use less than 25% of their two-gallon lung capacity, which lowers the metabolic set point (low metabolism) and weight-loss potential. When people improve their breathing they improve their oxygen intake and the amount of bodyfat oxidized (burned) proportionately. This can double, triple even quadruple the fat burning capacity of the body.
5. Proper breathing (oxycise – oxygen loading) significantly reduces stress hormone production. Keeping the bloodstream adequately oxygenated calms the entire central nervous system by lowering production of the stress hormone Cortisol by around 50% in a few short minutes. In fact, studies reveal that simple proper breathing (oxygenation) can significantly reduce Cortisol and eliminate the need to diet. When oxygen levels are high calming the nervous system, the pancreas reduces the production of fat-storing insulin. In short the result of proper oxygenation, the body is much less likely to convert food consumption into body fat.

TEST - Oxygen Uptake Breathing Test (Take this short quiz to check your breathing)
Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Slowly inhale and exhale through your nose a few times. Which hand moved? Ideally, the one on your chest stayed relatively still, while the one on your stomach moved in and out. That's the sign of deep belly breathing, the type that maximizes oxygen intake. If the hand on your chest moved more than the hand on the belly, you're breathing is shallow and is one of the signs of oxygen deprivation.

Deep Breathing Exercise (Oxycise)

The breathing exercise that oxygenates the body, increases metabolic efficiency and leads to weight/fat loss.

By practicing regularly deep breathing exercises one can increase the amount of oxygen flowing through the body and expel up to 70% of the accumulated fat-trapping toxins. When maximum oxygen saturation is reached, the absorption of fat-burning nutrients is doubled. And when optimal pH (7.365) balance is achieved, more stored fat is burned for fuel. While this biochemical chain reaction is complex, realizing the slimming and health related benefits are not. The correct breathing techniques will bathe every cell in the body in oxygen. Perhaps the best part is the enormous health benefits start almost instantly!

Shift the body into metabolic overdrive with the following simple breathing exercise. This same breathing pattern helped study subjects burn 120% more calories than bicycle riding. It’s generally known that proper deep breathing, like aerobics, is a true fat-burning activity. In short, to loose weight, one must increase oxygen intake.

A proven strategy

1. Inhale
Breath in fully through your nose, relaxing the belly and take in as much air as possible.
2. Lift
While holding your breath, tighten your abdominal muscles from the bottom to pull in and lift your belly.
3. Exhale
Breathe out through the mouth (as if blowing through a straw).

See how simple this is. Of course it’s not enough to know how to oxycise, the secret is to practice it regularly (at least 15 minutes daily). To get better, more rapid results, oxycise more often. One of the best parts of oxycise is there is only one potentially negative side effect. If you become light headed during oxycising, simply stop oxycising and start again when you recover mental clarity.

Interval training & EPOC

EPOC stands for 'Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption' and is a unique training method that distinguishes interval training superior to all other types of aerobic training for weight loss.

EPOC occurs in the body after intense physical exercise drains muscles of its energy source. This energy must be replenished in the body which can take up to 48 hours. During this time the body has no alternative but to burn up fat reserves. After EPOC occurs, the blood cells are rushing around the belly or but & thighs, grabbing as much of the fat as it can to burn and use as energy for the next two days even if your watching TV or sleeping. If you think this is too good to be true, there’s more good news. EPOC is only the immediate benefit. When the body experiences EPOC frequently, the body’s ability to convert energy directly into the muscle increases dramatically. The muscles ability to store energy increases, the demands for fat release increases, and interval training starts convincing the body to funnel new energy to the muscles development instead of sending them to fat storage. Interval training essentially turns the body and it’s metabolism into a fat burning machine rather than a toxin and fat storing receptacle.

Unfortunately, most of us have been taught that low-intensity aerobic exercise is the best method for burning off extra body fat. Modern research reveals this belief is simply not true. Not only is low-intensity aerobic exercise far more time consuming but it is relatively ineffective in reducing fat and very effective in consuming lots of valuable time.

 High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT is the secret to rapid fat loss. Many studies have proven the incredible fat burning effects that HIIT confers on the body. In fact, the first few studies sighted interval training as the benchmark for rapid fat loss, after the HIIT study group lost 9 times more fat than the group doing standard (low-intensity) aerobic exercises. HIIT works so well because it incorporates EPOC. 

Perhaps the biggest problem with HIIT is, as the name implies, its high intensity. Many people have never experienced high intensity physical training before so don’t know what it requires (hard work). While HIIT is hard work, it is short in duration compared to the long physical labor associated with standard low-intensity aerobic training. If you’re still reading, I assume you’re ready to take the next step and at least consider beginning a HIIT training program.

HIIT program:    

Interval training is essentially an exercise program that consists of high intensity exercise for a period of time, followed by low intensity exercise for a period of time. These 'sets' should consist of exercises at or close to a person’s current level of physical condition and will vary widely from person to person. The secret is to increase intensity to a point where one is breathing very heavy. Then reduce intensity to recover then increase intensity again. The main idea is to push the body hard enough to significantly increase oxygen demand as the EPOC is what causes the metabolic changes that efficiently burn fat. While the best results occur when doing interval training for at least 15 minutes three times a week, any interval training is better than none. I recommend starting slow and working up to three 15 minute interval training sessions a week. Remember this kind of training is extremely demanding and should not be pushed to hard at first to avoid injury. 

Summary

Oxygen is essential for life. It is unfortunately also responsible for much of biological degradation (aging). Oxidative stress related biological degradation (aging) can be slowed but not totally stopped. Deep breathing combined with specific living habits (healthy behavior including proper diet and exercise) can significantly reduce illness and disease (improve health) and extend life span.

Oxycising can be practiced nearly anywhere at any time and produces dynamic health benefits. HIIT is effective because it incorporates EPOC which elevates the metabolic set point and supercharges metabolic activity. Both these exercises not only lower fat and toxic accumulation but confer enormous health benefits on the body. 

"Illness and disease are optional, choose not to participate" ~ Dr. Skip Hellen

Important understanding
It’s important to understand that optimal health can only be achieved and maintained when nutritional, physical, and mental requirements are met resulting in systemic biological balance (homeostasis).

The following are the cornerstones of success with anything in life, make these qualities an important part of your life strategy and you will achieve excellence in anything you do. 

   Personal responsibility encourages excellence,
character requires personal excellence,
commitment advances positive action,
discipline strengthens personal power,
tenacity promotes success ~ Dr. Skip Hellen 

OPTIMAL HEALTH ACTION STEPS
1. (Develop) a strong sense of self respect and discipline
2. (Pledge) Take the "Declaration of Health Independence" pledge
3. (Test) Complete the health assessment test (establish a personal health baseline)
4. (Decide) Set a goal to achieve personal health excellence (optimal health)
5. (Education) Learn health principles how to achieve optimum health
6. (Heath Compass) Buy a pH litmus test kit, start testing frequently – keep a test result log
7. (Manage/Adjust) Change behavior habits for best results
8. (Commitment) Stay the course until achieving personal health excellence
9. (Mentor) Help another achieve personal health excellence

Since behavior habits and nutrition are critical components of human health and longevity, denial, shortcuts and misguided beliefs can be very costly not only in terms of lost monetary wealth but in compromised health leading to rapid aging, illness, disease and death. DON’T TAKE YOUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED. IF YOU DON’T TAKE PROPER CARE OF YOUR HEALTH, WHO WILL?

The important thing to remember is consumptive habits (foods) will form the foundation of either optimal health or illness and disease. The old saying "you are what you eat" is absolutely true when it comes to health.

Developing strong personal character (respect, belief, knowledge, discipline, commitment) are the cornerstones of all personal excellence accomplishments. Taking the "Declaration of Health Independence" pledges and adopting the behavior principles solidifies a vital first step on the road to optimal health success. These pledge commitments not only help develop the skills required to accomplish the goal but better define the path to personal health excellence. The second step is purchasing a litmus test kit to accurately monitor health progress. (see below for event test kit sale)

Perhaps the hardest part of achieving optimal health is changing unhealthy behavior habits to healthy habits.

YOU provide the Courage, Dedication, Commitment and Action,
UHRI will provide the EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE and DIRECTION

To get health help and learn more about “Mastering the Secrets of Ultimate Health” and achieve personal health excellence goals, log onto the web site below. UHRI is ready, willing, and able to help everyone achieve optimal health.

Litmus test kits are on sale for $10 (Events Only)
(A litmus test kit is an absolute must for those who are serious about ultimate health)

To learn more information on how to resolve health problems or achieve personal health excellence, refer to UHRI at www.uhealthri.com. Educational classes, programs, mentors and consultants are ready to help you achieve all your health goals including optimal health. Contact UHRI Office at - 714-969-1681

Live long, happy, ultimately health and wise

Dr. Skip Hellen