2. Water
Production
A second critical benefit of increased oxygen metabolism
generated through the practice of moderate body movement and
breathing exercises is linked to the lymph system. Besides
the production of energy, in the phosphorylization cycle,
there is also the generation of pure water as a waste
product or by product.(30) This water is dramatically and
directly increased when oxygen consumption is increased at
the cell. Because this water becomes involved with the
internal cleansing performed by the lymph it is a major link
between the breath and lymphatic system function.
(Discussion follows in lymph section)
3. Immune
Function
ATP drives the activity of every cell. Therefore, immune
function as well as the production of immune resources
(white blood cells, lymphocytes, t-cells, killer cells, etc)
are indirectly dependent on oxygen consumption. These
activities become deficient in individuals who are unwell.
It has been shown that exercise can mobilize the effect of
natural killer(NK) cells.(31) In individuals who exercise so
vigorously that they exceed the aerobic level and cross the
anaerobic threshold immune function is decreased.(32,33)
Both suggest that oxygen deficiency leads to decreased
immune function and that moderate exercise increases immune
function.
In his research, Nobel Prize recipient Otto Warburg
found that oxygen deficiency was typical of cancer
cells.(34) There are numerous studies that associate reduced
oxygen intake with increased mortality (19,20) and reduced
resistance to disease. In studies with elders
immunodeficiency was found to be one of several consequences
of reduced oxygen metabolism.(35).
Oxygen's effect on the immune function has been
demonstrated through research studies on two nutrients that
have been shown to have immunomodulating capability.
Germanium, an element that bonds easily with oxygen, is
thought to increase the efficiency of the use of oxygen in
the mitochondria of the cell. In addition, it may help to
decrease free radicals in the blood. In a German study it
was found that in elderly, injured, stressed and
hospitalized individuals the arterial oxygen content is
often reduced from normal levels.(36) Administration of
oxygen was found to elevate the arterial oxygen content and
increase recovery rates. The experimental addition of
germanium to the treatment protocol increased oxygen
utilization and further accelerated the healing
process.(36)
Blood studies on patients with AIDS revealed, in
addition to deficient immune capability, low concentrations
of Co enzyme Q10, a co enzyme present in all healthy cells.
The patients were administered CoQ10 and their symptoms as
well as blood immune factors improved.(37) Co Q10 apparently
improves the ability of oxygen to produce ATP. Both
germanium and Co Q10 enhance the ability of oxygen to
support immune function with the implication that increased
oxygen through Qigong or Yoga/Pranayama may have a direct
impact on immune deficiency states.