Air is the most essential element needed to sustain
life. "The strength of the system is, in a great degree,
dependent upon the amount of pure, fresh air breathed." Healthful
Living, p. 171. How can oxygen, which is vital for life,
help us to regain and retain our health? |
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Essential to life |
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The body is made up of cells. Cells in turn make
up tissues and tissues in turn make up the organs of the body.
Every function carried on by the body is directly related to the
life of the cells. Cells need four things to live and function
properly. These essentials are:
1) oxygen—without oxygen the cells die in 3 minutes.
2) water—without water the cells die in a few days.
3) nutrition—without nutrients they die in a few weeks.
4) cleansed—their own wastes must be removed promptly or
death will result in a matter of minutes or at the most hours.
Oxygen is one chemical essential for the cells to create energy. This chemical
reaction necessary to create energy leaves a carbon dioxide waste residue in
the cell. This waste must be removed to ensure healthy cells. |
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Cells require 4 things |
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Specialized blood cells carry the oxygen, nutrients,
and wastes to and from the different organs of the body to keep
them functioning properly. When the lungs fill with oxygen the
oxygen molecules seep through the walls of the alveoli, tiny
air sacs in the lungs, and enter the blood stream. There the oxygen
is connected to the outside of the red blood cells which deliver
it to every part of the system. It is then assimilated into the
capillaries of the tissues and then into the individual cells.
The carbon dioxide is then picked up by the red blood cells and
taken back to the lungs where it is eliminated from the system.
Since the oxygen is carried on the outside of the red blood cells
it is important to keep the blood from being sticky (clumping together
of the red blood cells caused by a high fat diet) or the veins
and arteries from being clogged. If this happens the oxygen cells
are no longer able to ride with the red blood cells and an oxygen
deficiency results. The importance of oxygen, healthy blood and
proper circulation is realized when it is understood that in virtually
every disease there is a low level of oxygen in the cells. |
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Oxygen transported on outside of red blood cells |
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Every minute five quarts of blood pass through the
lungs receiving fresh oxygen and eliminating the carbon dioxide.
This diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide from the lungs to the
blood requires from one pint to one quart of water daily. Thirty
quarts of carbon dioxide are discharged through the lungs every
hour. Normally the body contains a little more than one quart of
oxygen at any given time. An adult inhales approximately sixteen
to eighteen times a minute. In each of these inhalations about
one pint of air is received into the lungs. |
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Amount of oxygen in system |
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The air in our atmosphere is ionized. There are
negatively charged oxygen molecules and positively charged carbon
dioxide molecules. The more negative charged ions in the air the
healthier it is. The outdoor air is negatively charged from the
natural ionizing effect of radioactive particles in the atmosphere
and the earth's crust. This ionization also occurs from sunshine
and the breakup of water droplets by the ocean or near waterfalls.
Negative ions are rapidly lost indoors by adhering to walls, air
conditioning ducts, and fabric materials. Also, wood burning stoves
destroy the negative ions. Therefore to obtain enough oxygen from
the air it is necessary to have a continuous supply of fresh air
that is negatively charged. |
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Negative charged ions in air healthier |
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The benefits that are received from having a constant
supply of pure,
fresh air are:
1) Fresh air purifies the blood, imparts to it a bright color, and
sends the blood, a life giving current, to every part of the body.
2) Air soothes the nerves, stimulates appetite, helps digestion,
and induces sound, refreshing sleep.
3) Oxygen electrifies the whole system, causes the body to be strong
and healthy, and will refresh the system.
4) Air invigorates the vital organs and aids the system in getting
rid of an accumulation of impurities.
5) Pure air brings life to the skin as for a lack of air the skin
nearly dies.
6) But most important air has a decided influence on the mind,
imparting a degree of composure and serenity.
7) Some specific problems that are greatly benefited by having
an abundance of fresh air are: fevers, colds, and lung diseases.
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Benefits received from open air |
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One of the best ways to receive the benefits from
fresh air is to go out of doors into the open air and exercise
by walking or gardening. This enables the lungs to expand and be
filled with the negatively charged oxygen molecules. "Exercise
in the open air should be prescribed as a life-giving necessity.
And for such exercises there is nothing better than the cultivation
of the soil." Medical Ministry, p. 233. The amount of oxygen
taken in by each breath increases by three times the normal amount
when walking. |
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Walking excellent way to obtain air |
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Fresh air outdoors is essential to health, but just as important
if not more so, is the necessity of a constant supply of pure air
indoors. Since the lungs not only expel carbon dioxide but also other
waste matter, if this indoor air is not replaced by negatively charged
oxygen, it becomes poisonous and causes, among other things, sore
throats, lung diseases and liver complaints. This is especially true
at night when sleeping in a closed room. Unless there is a supply
of fresh air a person will awake unrested and irritable.
It is necessary to breathe properly in order for the lungs to be
filled with enough fresh oxygen to function properly. When breathing
correctly the lungs expand and the diaphragm pushes down into the
abdomen. This in turn causes the lower abdomen to extend outward.
It is simple to check and see if the breathing is proper. Stand erect
yet relaxed and take a breath. Does the lower abdomen extend as the
lungs are filled and then return as the air is expelled? It maybe
necessary to practice this correct way of breathing until it becomes
a natural habit.
Pure, open air is so available and free, and it works wonders for
the health of the body. Let us put as much fresh air as possible
in our system so we may reap the healthful benefits that God has
placed in the atmosphere surrounding us. |
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Fresh oxygen indoors essential |
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