Here's what people are saying 

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When you exercise, your respiratory rate increases. This is true regardless of whether you exercise by stationary methods such as weight lifting, or by a traveling method such as jogging or biking. Clearly, an active body needs more oxygen than a body at rest. The reason for this lies in the complex chemical processes in your muscles and your bloodstream. 

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When you exercise, your muscles move more vigorously than when you are at rest. Their metabolic rate increases. They need more energy, so they produce more of the chemical energy molecule ATP. You need oxygen to produce ATP, so the more ATP you produce, the more oxygen your body requires.

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What is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate is a complex organic chemical that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells, e.g. muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis. Found in all forms of life, ATP is often referred to as the "molecular unit of currency" of intracellular energy transfer.

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Benefits and Risks of Exercise With Oxygen Therapy

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Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) is a method of training your body to re-establish oxygen pathways in the capillaries for better blood flow and oxygen absorption. By wearing a mask that supplies a constant flow of oxygen while engaging in a workout, you can improve your health, enhance your performance, and achieve better fitness results.

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EWOT Benefits

• Increased energy

• Reduced inflammation

• Increased immunity

• Lowered blood pressure

• Improved alkalinity

• Management of chronic conditions, such as COPD, cancer, and heart disease

• Metabolism boost

• Enhanced athletic performance

• Recovery from brain injury

If you suffer from conditions that may benefit from these results, EWOT might be a good option for you.

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Treatment Methods

Exercise with oxygen therapy treatments are delivered in two main ways.

• Nasal cannulas (nasal tubes): While this is the cheaper option, nasal tubes deliver a lower percentage of oxygen due to the air escaping out of your mouth.

• Oxygen mask: This provides a tighter seal for more optimal oxygen delivery.

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The mask or nasal tubes are connected to a longer tube which plugs into an oxygen tank or a concentrator. A concentrator pulls oxygen out of the surrounding air, purifying it. You exercise on a piece of cardio equipment, such as an exercise bike, treadmill, elliptical, or stepper for 10 to 15 minutes while using the device.

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Potential Risks

Concerns have been raised by researchers and medical professionals since the conception of newer EWOT protocols. Specifically, over-saturation of oxygen has been shown in studies to have detrimental effects on brain function through oxygen toxicity. However, the mitigating factors seem to be the percentage of oxygen used, as well as the length of treatment, which is why companies who produce oxygen concentrators take precautions.

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• 90 to 95 percent oxygen

• Delivery of oxygen lower than four liters per minute

• Recommended maximum of 15 minutes per session

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With this in mind, the Healthways Medical Group and other practitioners have claimed that no notable side effects have been reported by clients, aside from some minor dryness in the throat and sinuses.

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Can EWOT Benefit You?

Exercise with oxygen therapy has been used successfully for more than half a century to manage medical conditions and more recently to improve fitness and athletic performance levels. With the proper protocols, it is a safe and effective way to boost your energy and better your health. If you're considering trying EWOT, consult with your primary care physician to ask about your options.