Health Tip: Pranayama - The Science of Breath Control

Pranayama: The Science of Breath Control

by Martha Grier

Disease cannot live in an oxygen-rich environment.

Dr. Otto Warburg, who received the Nobel Prize for his cancer research, found that cancer cells can’t reproduce when they are exposed to an oxygen rich environment. In addition, Dr. Stephen Levin has found that the oxygen deficiency in human cells and tissues is the root cause of chronic degenerative disease. Unfortunately, most of us are leading oxygen deficient lives and may not even realize it.

Part of the problem stems from external environmental conditions like pollution. The oxygen content of air is only 19-21%, as opposed to 69-71% in earth’s early history.

Diet is also a factor. “Junk” food is low in oxygen content and high in toxic preservatives. Eating junk on a regular basis forces the body to use its precious oxygen reserves in order to oxidize the preservatives and metabolize the few nutrients that might remain. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are rich in oxygen.

And, of course, physical and emotional stress rob the body of much needed oxygen.

Over the course of time, if the body is continually deprived of sufficient levels of oxygen through exposure to pollution, unhealthy dietary choices and emotional and physical stress, it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and other infectious agents. The bottom line is, if you learn and practice proper breathing and minimize your exposure to harmful lifestyle practices, you will provide your body with the tools that it needs, not only to maintain balance, but also to fight and heal disease.

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