How to Raise Blood Oxygen

Your blood cells need a constant supply of oxygen to maintain normal functioning, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many people, such as those who suffer from hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) and athletes who want to improve their overall performance, are looking for ways to raise their blood oxygen levels. There are some simple steps, such as changing your diet, getting exercise and using certain herbal supplements that may help you boost your blood oxygen levels.

Things You'll Need

• Ginseng
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Running or hiking shoes

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Instructions

• 1

  Get on the treadmill. The very best way to raise your blood oxygen levels is through good old-fashioned exercise. Exercise improves your circulation, lung capacity and heart functioning and trains your body to use available oxygen more efficiently. In a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in March 2005, researchers found that chronic exercise is able to enhance oxygen levels in muscles. Chronic exercise, such as daily swimming, running or hiking, will automatically give you more oxygen in your blood.

• 2

  Eat a blood alkalizing diet. Eat vegetables, fruit and fermented foods to keep your blood pH at alkaline levels which may keep it more oxygenated. According to Annelie Pompe, a prominent mountaineer and world championship freediver, alkaline tissues can hold up to 20 times more oxygen than acidic ones. She advocates a high alkaline diet for those who, like her, are operating in low oxygen environmental conditions and want to increase their blood oxygen through diet.

• 3

  Take ginseng. Make a tea from the ginseng root to naturally boost the levels of oxygen in your blood. In a study published in the Monaldi Archives of Chest Disorders in 2002, ginseng was found to be able to dramatically effect pulmonary function and exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One of the mechanisms for this effect was found to be ginseng's ability to raise the maximum oxygen consumption levels in these individuals.