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
15
minutes of breathing exercises daily.
These can be done in 15-1 minute sessions, 1-15 minute session or any variation
in-between. The following breathing technique (Oxycise), can be performed in any
location and in most positions, as long as the focus is on the breathing the
entire time.
Step by step;
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.
HELP! UHRI has produced optimal health step by step programs designed to guide you through all the
challenges of personal excellence and optimal health acquisition. Take the
challenge and become the best that you can be, then teach others to do the same.
"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
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