Oxygenating the brain well promotes brain healing and optimal brain function. This requires a critical balance of:
- Correct breathing for oxygenation
- Correct carbon dioxide and nitric oxide levels for circulation
-
A program of brain activities or exercises for growth stimulation
The brain uses about three times as much oxygen as muscles in the body do.
Brain cells are very sensitive to decreases in oxygen levels and don’t survive or function well very long without it. Breathing through our noses, with our mouth closed, and using belly breathing, or diaphragmatic breathing allows us to get the proper amount of oxygen that we need for brain optimization.
3 Ways to Improve Your Brain Oxygen
- Breathe easily and normally with your belly in a relaxed way.
- Breathe through your nose and not your mouth.
-
Take short walks throughout the day. Short walks will increase your circulation and increase oxygen to your brain
Aerobic exercise in particular supports your brain by increasing blood flow, and thus circulating oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells. Exercise that results in sweating and raises body temperature aids cellular detoxification.
The Importance of Antioxidants
Oxygen powers the energy supply to life on Earth. But when our cells use oxygen for energy, the oxygen breaks down into oxidizing agents. These oxidizing agents damage cells. Cells protect themselves with antioxidant mechanisms. If the oxidizing agents overpower the cell’s protective antioxidant system, then damage to the cell occurs. This includes damaging the DNA methylation process.
Therefore, it is important to avoid excess oxidation (charred meats), to make sure you are getting plenty of antioxidants in your diet or through supplementation, and to support your DNA methylation process with methylated vitamins.
