Analysis of air bubbles trapped in fossils, such as in fossil amber, show that our air in earliest times contained about 35% oxygen. Today, the average oxygen content of our air is approximately 20%. In some larger, more polluted cities, oxygen content in the air has been measured at 12 - 15%. Anything less than 7% is not able to support human life.

Because of today's lower air oxygen content, there have been suggestions that this could be leading to the noticeable increases in cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic degenerative diseases. However, our air is not the only problem. Another critical factor is pH. Acidic water and liquids have fewer oxygen molecules than alkaline water and liquids. Usually, our systems are much too acidic overall. Excess acidity, as well as increased oxygen depletion, is worsened by our high stress lifestyles and poor food choices.

As discussed in the article on pH, alkaline minerals and liquids are required to neutralize acidic conditions in your body. This decreases oxygen stores unless you replenish them with high alkaline foods and water. High protein and high fat foods not only have less oxygen in them but require extra oxygen to use them for energy. Food choices with much higher oxygen content include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. However, balance is the key factor. Too many carbohydrates without adequate protein and fats are also not good. Improving the amount of oxygen available to you, as well as your ability to use what you have, will improve all aspects of your health dramatically.

Things You Can Do to Improve Your Air and Oxygen Intake

1. Drink plenty of pure, high alkaline pH, high mineral water and/or fresh vegetable juice every day.
2. Choose high oxygen content, complex carbohydrate foods such as local, organically grown vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and fruits.
3. Frequently, open the windows and doors in your home or apartment ONLY if you live in an area of minimal outdoor air pollution NOT close to a highway. Otherwise, keep everything closed with the recommended number of plants (see number 5 below).
4. Practice proper breathing and exercise regularly. Remember, exercise is cumulative. A 10 minute walk after each meal is the equivalent of 30 minutes of continuous walking.
5. Use plants to reduce indoor air pollution. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Some even break down and neutralize chemical pollutants. The more common chemical pollutants in your home or work place can include:
   • Acetone
   • Benzene
   • Formaldehyde
   • Alcohols
   • Bioeffluents
   • Trichloroethylene(TCE)
   • Ammonia
   • Chloroform
   • Xylene/Toluene
   The recommended number of plants is 2 for every 100 square feet of interior space (assuming 8 to 10 feet ceilings) with groupings of plants being helpful. The more leaves the plant has, the better. Covering potting soil with a layer of aquarium gravel will help reduce mold spores. Even four or five plants in a room can make a difference in air quality. Some of the best plants for cleaning air indoors are:
   • Chinese Evergreen
   • Gerbera Daisy
   • Aloe Vera
   • English Ivy
   • Bamboo
   • Palm
   • Banana
   • Spider Plant
   • Mum
   • Heart-Leaf Philodendron
   • Janet Craig
   • Devil's Ivy
   • Split-Leaf Philodendron
   • Warneckie Snake Plant
   • Ficus (Weeping Fig)
   • Corn Plant
   • Peace
   • Lily Madagascar Dragon Tree
   • Umbrella Plant
   • Arrowhead Plant
6. Use supplemental oxygen therapies such as liquid oxygen drops.
7. Use a negative ion generator instead of a cigarette lighter in your vehicles. These small electrical devices help remove pollution from the air by producing negative ions that attract positive pollutants. Using negative ion generators can help in your home can improve your indoor air quality but may create a cleaning problem since pollutants tend to attach to walls, drapes, furniture, and other furnishings.
8. Use ozone generators to reduce and remove indoor chemical pollutants, molds, mildew, bacteria, and odors. They are very effective in eliminating out-gassing from new carpets, drapes, paint, paneling, and other polluters of your indoor environment. Any machine that you buy should have an adjustable output to avoid an excessive build up of Ozone.
9. HEPA home air filter systems for single rooms or for your entire house. These machines are wonderful for helping relieve allergy symptoms. They should have a replaceable and/or cleanable HEPA type filter for removing very fine particles. Also, they should run very quietly.
10. Also available for treatment of your home's air are allergy relief furnace filters specifically designed to remove dust, airborne allergens, and other extremely small particles. These are considerably more expensive than regular furnace filters, but they are cleanable and reusable.
11. Some people have concerns about and question the air quality in commercial planes. According to Boeing's web site, "The cabin air is a mix that is one-half outside air and one-half filtered recirculated air. This normally produces 14 to 20 cubic feet of air per person each minute, depending on airplane type." In addition, Boeing says their cabin air is passed through HEPA filters before it enters the cabin area. We use and recommend the personal ionic air purifier, a small battery-powered electronic device to improve air quality in enclosed areas, steel structures, air conditioning, crowds, and congested or smoggy driving areas.