“Breathe, breathe in the air…” Life on Earth is thought to have evolved without the need for oxygen, existing by the use of anaerobic (oxygen-free) metabolism. Many primitive organisms still exist in this way today.  Only after several billions of years of life on Earth did free oxygen accumulate in the atmosphere as a waste product of the anaerobic metabolism of primordial simple organisms.  This provided the opportunity for aerobic (oxygen- requiring) metabolism to evolve. However, aerobic metabolism comes at a price, because oxygen is essentially a corrosive and toxic element.  This means that aerobic organisms can only survive in a high oxygen atmosphere if they maintain adequate compensating mechanisms for the toxic effects of aerobic metabolism.  We call these mechanisms “anti-oxidant enzyme systems”. These sophisticated enzyme systems rely on the use of other energized particles – atoms and molecules – in the form of essential nutrients that must be gained from the general environment through feeding.  We acquire the oxygen necessary for aerobic metabolism from free oxygen in the atmosphere.  This must be done efficiently if life and health are to be sustained.  However, living in modern cultures and particularly cities, it might not be enough to rely on the breathing reflex, as our atmosphere has become depleted in oxygen compared to atmospheric oxygen concentrations during most of our evolution. This means that without increased awareness of breathing behaviour oxygen deficiency can occur.  It is likely that this is widespread and may account for much of the deterioration in health experienced by modern humans, especially those living in densely populated and industrialised societies. At the same time our atmosphere, with its now depleted oxygen content, is increasingly polluted with additional substances that are toxic to our tissues.  So just getting enough “fresh air” may be both difficult to achieve and also not be adequate to sustain health, as we must also maintain a robust immune system to compensate for the potentially toxic effects of aerobic metabolism and atmospheric pollution. Contained within the principle of “adequate oxygen” are the concepts of appropriate exercise activity, conscious breathing behaviour, anti-oxidant nutrient sufficiency and protection from the effects of atmospheric pollution. Many systems of health promotion incorporate breathing techniques when taught properly, including yoga, t’ai qi chuan, qi gong, aerobics classes, pilates and so on.  Also most formal athletics activities such as swimming and gymnastics should include breath control, as will singing and chanting. Knowledge about prevention of harm from atmospheric pollution as well as detoxification techniques can be found in Nutritional Therapy, Naturopathy, Herbalism, Homoeopathy and many other complementary therapy systems. Back to Top Back to Introduction