What percentage of my body is composed of oxygen?

By mass, 99% of the human body is made up of six elements.

These elements include oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. 

Oxygen represents approximately 65%.

 

Why does my body require oxygen?

  • Oxygen is required for the breathing processes and in every metabolic process in the body.
  • We can survive 3 weeks without food.  3 days without water but, only 3 minutes without air
  • Healthy cells in the body are aerobic.  Aerobic cells require adequate levels of oxygen for cellular respiration and growth.
  • When cells are deprived of oxygen, for any reason, decay sets in and cells can mutate or die.  Lower levels of oxygen can often found in individuals with chronic illness.

 

Every breath you take matters!

Every breath you take can help to enhance or detract from your well-being.

 

What are some of the symptoms/side effects when my body is deprived of oxygen?

  • tiredness
  • depression
  • irritability
  • poor judgement
  • health problems

 

What are some of the benefits of increasing the amount of oxygen in my body?

  • increased alertness
  • improved reflex response time
  • improved memory
  • enhanced intelligence

 

How can I increase the oxygen balance in my body?

1.  Increasing alkalinity through a plant-based diet will increase the amount of oxygen in the body.

Foods with a high citric acid content have an alkalizing effect and include: tomato, avocado, lemon, lime, grapefruit, apple cider vinegar (all other vinegars are acid-forming).  

Other foods which have an alkalizing effect include: raw honey (processed honey is acid forming), almond milk, whole fruits and vegetables, green juices and beans.

2.  Ensuring optimal hydration, by drinking adequate quantities of water, will increase the oxygen balance in the body.

 

With respect to water – only water is water – everything else is food.
Water should be sipped and not gulped.
Gulping can activate the urge to purge or release.
Water should be consumed at room temperature.
When water is too cold or too hot the body uses energy to bring it to temperature.

3.  Including aerobic exercise, like walking, to a daily routine will provide the body with more oxygen.

4.  Proper breathing – low and slow enhances our oxygen supply.

The practice of square breathing can help to regulate breath.  The practice of square breathing can move the body from the fight or flight response to the rest and digest response.   When the body is in the rest and digest response, oxygen levels increase, and our ability to self-heal is supported.

Square breathing consists of……

  • breathing in to the count of 4
  • holding to the count of 4
  • releasing to the count of 4
  • holding to the count of 4

….repeat as required until chest breathing becomes belly breathing.

 

Learn More

Meditation and Breath:  GUIDED MEDITATION – RELAX the MINDPMR MEDITATION – RELAX the BODY

Stress and Breath:  Stress and the Body