7 Ways to Get More of the #1 Nutrient

Discover the healthy benefits of the most important nutrient and how to improve the quality and get more of it.

What if I told you that oxygen is the #1 most important nutrient. Yeah, first time I read this I had a “duh” moment too.

Breathing – the primary way we get this good stuff into our bodies – is one of the few functions that can be controlled both consciously and unconsciously. While most of us leave breathing to the unconscious, conscious, deep breathing can actually reduce stress. Scientific studies have shown that controlling your breath can help to manage stress and stress-related conditions. So the next time you are feeling a lot of stress, tap into your conscious and take in some oxygen. A few deep (abdomen) breaths will help promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Oxygen also provides energy for growth (ever watch a baby breathe?), maintenance in areas like blood flow and wound healing, and detoxification.

Oxygen is that important and here are 7 tips to help you get more of it ~

1. Increase your cardiovascular exercise. While most of us know the importance of exercise many of us have difficulty finding the time to do it. Remember the P90x craze? Ninety, being operative for 90 minutes, which is why I gave it up after a week. And then came the more doable 30 minute version. In fact, 20 minutes will do. Got time for that?

Thanks to the research from the University of New South Wales Medical Sciences, it was discovered long workouts are no longer needed. According to the research, burst (interval) cardio training could burn more than 3x the body fat than moderate cardio. Researchers studied two groups of women and found those who did 8 seconds of sprinting on a bike, followed by 12 seconds of exercising lightly for 20 minutes, lost 3x as much fat as those who exercised at a continuous, regular pace for 40 minutes.

2. Get 30 minutes of fresh air. Double dip and exercise outdoors where there is good air quality. At a minimum, get outside. From losing weight to sleeping better at night, at least 30 minutes of fresh air is a key component. High oxygen levels in the body have also been linked to preventing and decreasing cancer growth.

3. Use an ionizer and/or HEPA filter. According to the EPA, indoor air contains 2 – 5x more contaminants than outdoors so take action to make it better. Consider researching and investing in an ionizer and/or HEPA filter. Air out your home and don’t forget to replace your furnace filters.

4. Add fresh plants inside your home. Add a little feng shui to your rooms and bring in fresh plants to help oxygenate your home.

5. Eat fresh fruits and green vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture uses ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, scores to rate the antioxidant properties of foods. Fruits and vegetables with high scores include blueberries, black plums, raspberries, cherries, avocados, oranges, artichokes and asparagus. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and dried fruits, such as raisins, supply iron — a mineral that allows oxygen transport throughout your body and brain.

6. Eat sprouted seeds and nuts. When seeds and nuts are sprouted they provide increased amounts of antioxidants, enzymes, fiber, minerals, oxygen, protein, vitamins and all the other cofactors necessary for them to become healthy, vigorous plants.

7. Drink water. H2O – “O” being oxygen. Need I say more?

One change this week > 52 weeks a year > Think of the possibilities!