The Natural Health Center of Central New Jersey

It’s the most wonderful time of the year or so the song goes, so how come I feel so tired? Holiday cheer and stress can often lead some folks into a state of low energy, weight gain, digestive disorder and even physical aches and pains. The Immune system is low and it seems impossible to shake that cold that you’ve had since December, sound familiar? The fix may be simpler than you think- oxygen.

As our bodies become depleted and stressed our O2 levels fall and our bodies become more acidic. In an acid environment, hemoglobin’s affinity for O2 is lower and O2 splits more readily from hemoglobin. This is referred to as the Bohr effect. When hydrogen ions bind to certain amino acids in hemoglobin, they alter its structure and thereby decrease its oxygen-carrying capacity. Thus the lowered pH drives off hemoglobin, making more O2 available for tissue cells. Whoo that was a mouthful!....translation: Our normal body pH is 7.0-7.4 if we get any lower on the scale our bodies become acidic, O2 decreases and can’t hold onto the blood to be carried through the body, add O2 and the body becomes more alkaline and O2 is carried through the body more efficiently.

Some of the ways to increase your bodies O2 intake include breathing exercises, oxygen concentrators and oxygen water. Breathing exercises have become popular and can be effective for reducing stress and increases mental focus and obviously the price can’t be beat but if your breathing in dust, pesticides and carbon fumes that may not be the most therapeutic way to go. The air that we breathe (unfiltered) can be up to 21% O2, an oxygen concentrator can bring O2 levels up to 30% and are highly effective, relaxing and easy to maintain but may cost you upwards of $700. Oxygen waters are also becoming quite popular and some have a pH as high as 8.4.

No matter how you choose to do it increasing your O2 levels can increase Immune function, increase concentration, increase metabolism, decrease stress, increase energy and alertness, decrease hangovers and sinus problems due to its detoxifying effect and it is a very relaxing modality. Keep it in mind that there are contraindications to O2 therapy especially in people with certain medical conditions such as asthma or emphysema so ALWAYS check with their Dr. before administering it.

Rosina is now offering O2 therapy with an oxygen concentrator if you’d like to try or learn more about O2 Therapy or O2Cool oxygen water please contact Rosina @732-821-5800 or rosinacmt@aol.com for more info but until then, Remember to Breathe.

References:
Tortora, Grabowski, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Harper Collins College Publishers, 1993, Ch 23, pg 747, Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide, Acidity (pH).