Why should we pay more attention to our lung capacity?
While heart health is often considered the primary indicator of overall well-being, we may have been overlooking a crucial aspect of our health journey. Our lungs play a profound role in shaping our bodies and overall health, with every breath we take impacting various bodily functions. Surprisingly, the capacity of our lungs to absorb and process oxygen is a highly predictive factor when it comes to health and longevity.
An influential Framingham study, tracking 5,200 individuals over 29 years, revealed that the truest predictor of well-being and a longer life lies in lung volume. It indicates that lung capacity should serve as a fundamental tool for assessing our general health. Individuals with higher lung capacity consistently demonstrated better health and longevity compared to those with diminished lung capacity. As we age, our lung capacity naturally declines, with a potential reduction of up to 50 percent by the age of 50. This decline means that as we grow older, our lungs struggle to inhale and retain air efficiently.
Additionally, modern living often restricts our breathing capacity, as many of us access only 10-20% of our full breathing potential. This limited breathing pattern deprives our bodies and cells of essential oxygen. Consequently, this reduced oxygen intake leads to a range of health implications, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, a decrease in energy levels, general fatigue, impaired focus, memory, and even susceptibility to respiratory illnesses that often become more prevalent with age.
But fear not, we can actively improve our lung capacity!
Fortunately, the idea that lung capacity loss is an inevitable degenerative process is a misconception. There are steps we can take to preserve and even restore our lung capacity.
Here are some practices to build lung capacity:
- Vitamin D: Studies suggest that increasing your intake of Vitamin D alongside standard rehabilitation can lead to improvements in exercise ability and respiratory strength.
- Self-confidence: Boosting your self-confidence before starting an exercise routine has shown to yield better results. A positive mindset and belief in oneself can significantly enhance your ability to exercise effectively.
- Clean living environment: Support your lungs by maintaining a clean and allergen-free home. Minimize dust and allergens by eliminating items that collect dust, washing sheets at high temperatures, and regularly dusting and vacuuming. Indoor air purifiers can also contribute to better air quality.
- Oxycise! Breathing exercises are the ultimate way to enhance lung capacity. Embracing the power of full, deep inhales and exhales can work wonders for your respiratory health. Lisa shared her experience after two years of Oxycise, “My strength, stamina, endurance, and lung capacity have increased enormously, not to mention my confidence and self-esteem. Climbing stairs and walking up hills are no longer exercises in futility; I can take both quite easily and do so more than ever before.”
Elevating your oxygen capacity through effortless breathing enables a host of positive biochemical reactions in your body, such as germ, virus, and bacteria elimination, improved brain function, enhanced muscle vitality, accelerated recovery after illness or injury, neutralization of free radicals, and optimized waste treatment in the liver, kidneys, intestines, and lymphatic system.
So, let’s unlock the true potential of our lungs and breathe in a healthier, happier life!
