Deep Breathing for Health

Although we rarely pay attention, we are surrounded by oxygen. This is a good thing because we can't live without it. But what is it about this gas that makes it so vital to human life? And why do we occasionally need to practice deep breathing?

Deep Breathing for Health

How Oxygen Benefits the Brain

Compared to its size and mass, the brain requires a disproportionate amount of energy, most of which is generated by metabolic processes that use large quantities of oxygen (O2). In fact, this organ captures about 25% of the body's O2 totals. Maintaining sufficient levels is therefore a crucial factor in overall health. Without a constant and steady supply, brain cells can die in as little as five minutes.

Studies have found the brain does not retain this gas, meaning it doesn't reserve O2 for dire situations. Instead, brain cells use it immediately to synthesize energy-rich substances that fuel brain activity. Around 50% of this gas is used for nerve cell activity; the rest is required for glial cells that support nervous system functions.

The Benefits of O2 for Organs

The basic premise of breathing is to deliver O2 to cells located within organs and tissues. Every living cell relies on this gas to convert the foods we eat into energy. That energy is then used for a variety of functions, from moving muscles and thinking to calming nerves and speaking.

Energy is specifically created when O2 combines with carbon and hydrogen - a process known as cellular respiration. And during cellular respiration, the carbon dioxide created by energy synthesis is expelled when we exhale. Breathing is the most elemental of all human activities, a process designed to be so automatic that we do it without thought or effort.

New Cell Generation

Oxygen (O2) also helps build new cells so organs continue functioning optimally. Each day, around seven-hundred-billion cells in our bodies break down and must be replaced. To do this, living cells combine O2 with nitrogen and hydrogen to build proteins required for new cell generation.

You probably already know this, but blood is the means by which O2 gets delivered to cells. It is therefore crucial that blood remain purified, a feat that isn't always easy to accomplish given modern lifestyles that subject us to processed foods, environmental toxins, and alcohol. These enter the bloodstream and can cause reactions like acne, allergies, and rashes.

Keep Blood Healthy

You can help purify and build your blood with our Blood Builder Plus, made with oxygen-rich herbs that:

• Promote circulation
• Encourage healthy kidney functions
• Improve anemic conditions
• Assist effective digestion

This formula is known to be safe and acts as a tonic for skin concerns like eczema and acne. It can also strengthen organs like the stomach and liver while reducing common ailments like headaches and constipation.

Oxygen (O2)  for the Immune System

We rarely think about the immune system, that silent defender constantly working to protect our bodies. But part of its efficacy is owed to O2, used to kill bacteria and fuel the cells that fight viruses and other invaders. Low O2 levels change the way immune cells behave and reduce their activity. Keeping levels high is therefore one way to encourage optimal immune responses.

We can maximize the air we breathe by purifying it with an at-home air sanitizer that operates quietly in the background. A more direct way, however, is with our Lung Health Respiratory Support, made with a variety of herbs that nourish lung tissues, clear away mucus, and support healthy nasal passages. Yarrow, for instance, eliminates toxins that contribute to lung infections, while cayenne pepper soothes tissues and promotes circulation.

Proper Deep Breathing Techniques

Deep breathing is the catalyst for life, ensuring we get the air we need when we need it. Just a few minutes each day devoted to this practice can ease pain, relax your body, and help you sleep better. Additional benefits include:

• Stronger immunity
• Improved blood flow
• Better posture
• Natural toxin detoxification
• Lower blood pressure
• Greater concentration

How to Get Started

This easy practice starts by sitting in a comfortable position. Alternatively, if you would like to lie in repose, you should do so with your body flat. Then place one hand below your ribs, on your belly, and the other on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose and feel your belly rise. Your chest should not move. Exhale with your lips pursed, like you are ready to whistle. You should feel your belly flatten as you push out the air.

Repeat these steps five to 10 times, going slowly so you feel the movements of your body with each breath. Pay attention to your mental and physical states when you're finished; you should be more relaxed and clear-minded, and any pain you felt before the practice should be subsided.

Aid Your Breathing

and meaningful breathing increases the O2 in your blood. This means your body can enjoy more efficient cell repair, in addition to the benefits listed above. You can further complement deep breathing with our Liquid Chlorophyll, a potent formula that enhances the body's ability to carry more O2. It's also a viable source of nutrients like beta-carotene, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. In all, it is an approach to:

• Clearer skin
• Improved adrenal function
• Healthier digestion
• Stronger immune responses

Foods and Herbs That Improve O2 Levels

foods can increase hemoglobin within red blood cells and, in turn, improve blood O2 levels. The presence of hemoglobin enables O2 to arrive at its intended destination, and amplifying it helps ensure organs and tissues get the nutrients they need. Some of the best foods to eat for this purpose include citrus fruits, onions, and tomatoes.

Spices and herbs can have a similar effect, ranging in their abilities to open blood vessels and increase blood flow. Those you might reach for include:

• Cayenne pepper
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Peppermint
• Oregano

is one of the easiest but most complex of all human activities. We do it without noticing, and in turn, the body, brain, and immune system receive the O2 they need to stay strong. For additional ways to optimize your health and/or to order the nutrient-rich products described here, contact Common Sense™ Products today.