Why Oxygen Plus is the Air Apparent to Energy Shots, Drinks and Supplements

December 01, 2017 4 min read

Andre Peschong and Lauren Carlstrom, O+ Team Members |

Oxygen Plus is a healthier alternative to “energy” shots, energy drinks and energy supplements because O+ oxygen is completely natural, side-effect free, and has a wider range of practical applications. Don't reach for the chemicals or suffer from unwanted side-effects before you try the simple solution first - more oxygen.

Oxygen uptake is directly related to health and performance. Insufficient oxygen in the blood, called hypoxia, can lead to lightheadedness, fatigue, lactic acid buildup, and in more extreme cases, headaches, tingling of extremities, nausea, confusion and disorientation.

The causes of insufficient oxygen uptake, sometimes called an oxygen debt, include changes in altitude, environmental factors like smoking cigarettes and air pollution, vigorous exercise, air travel, alcohol consumption, as well as serious medical conditions like COPD, anemia, ischemia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

There are Two Ways to Increase a Body's Oxygen Uptake:

Increase a body's ability to process oxygen. This can be achieved by methods such as extensive training at altitude, blood doping (adding blood) or exposure to the inert gas Xenon, all of which can increase the quantity of red blood cells available to process oxygen. As of 2017, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen, including, but not limited to perfluorochemicals; efaproxiral (RSR13) and modified haemoglobin products, e.g. haemoglobin-based blood substitutes and microencapsulated haemoglobin products, excluding supplemental oxygen by inhalation (Section M2, The World Anti-Doping Code International Standard).
Increase the amount of oxygen available to the existing red blood cells. As indicated by the Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve, the availability of oxygen leads to higher rates of hemoglobin binding. Increasing the available oxygen leads to better saturation of oxygen in blood plasma, which under normal conditions carries only 10% of the oxygen in the circulation system. Higher availability of oxygen can be achieved through MD-prescribed home oxygen treatments; prescription drugs that increase respiration (Acetazolamide); recreational oxygen bars; specialized hyperbaric oxygen chambers; and recreational oxygen products, such as Oxygen Plus. Since, as cited above, "supplemental oxygen by inhalation" is not banned by WADA, using Oxygen Plus products for training and competition offers elite and professional athletes a legal, safe, effective and on-demand - not to mention affordable - competitive advantage in athletic performance, endurance and recovery.

How Much Oxygen Does the Body Need?

How much oxygen an individual needs to maintain optimal oxygen levels really depends on the individual, environmental factors, and the activity level. Very simply, a person can breathe Oxygen Plus until they "feel" its effects. Normally, for healthy individuals experiencing no pollution and moderate activity at sea level, the benefits of breathing oxygen can be experienced with one single "use," which Oxygen Plus defines as three to five deep breaths. If a person breaths more inhalations than needed - meaning his or her body's oxygen levels are fully saturated - there is no additional effect or benefit (nor risk) to the mind or body. It simply translates into you putting more healthy oxygen into your body, similar to taking in some beautiful ocean air. Oxygen Plus believes learning how much oxygen a person needs to maintain optimum oxygen levels (or to fully saturate blood oxygen levels) is a learning curve, similar to learning when an individual is experiencing dehydration. First, start becoming aware of potential oxygen-depleting situations; and then, look for the signs or clues of being in an oxygen debt. After you start thinking about how what you do and where you go affects how you feel in relation to oxygen levels, you are well on your way to discovering how supplementing with portable oxygen products like Oxygen Plus can help you feel like your best you - every day. There is also a more measured way to know if you are in an oxygen debt: A pulse oximeter.

Pulse oximeters are plastic clips that can be applied to fingertips or earlobes. Because oxygenated blood is a darker red, the pressure of oxygen in the blood (SpO2) is easily monitored with a pulse oximeter. Blood oxygen levels between 96-99% are considered normal or optimal. Levels below 90% are cause for medical concern. The effects of supplemental oxygen can be monitored in real-time with an oximeter and provide vital feedback in high altitude situations, sports training and unpressurized aircrafts. There are some limitations to pulse oximeters. For instance, high elevation, extreme temperatures, nail polish, and a presence of carbon monoxide in the body can impact an accurate reading. However, using a pulse oximeter is generally an accurate, precise way to know - and learn - how much oxygen a person may need to restore depleted oxygen levels to optimal levels in a certain environment and/or activity. While there are many affordable pulse oximeters on the market, Oxygen Plus offers its customers a quality, portable, non-invasive finger pulse oximeter - the iHealth Pluse Oximeter - at the O+ Store.

How Long Will the Benefits of Breathing Oxygen Last?

How long the effects of supplemental oxygen last will vary for each person depending on his or her individual chemistry, activity level and the situation or symptoms seeking benefit. For home treatment of cluster headaches supplemental oxygen can have immediate and lasting effects. For altitude issues, such as sleeplessness, fatigue and rapid breathing, the benefits can last all night. For mental clarity and alertness, the effects are immediate and can last an hour or more. For hangovers, effects can last several hours. For sport or performance purposes, the effects are easily monitored with the pulse oximeter and ideal oxygen saturation can be maintained through repeated use.

Armed with a greater understanding of oxygen, and how and when it works in the body, Oxygen Plus pure recreational oxygen is the air apparent for wellness-minded individuals who prefer a healthier, wider-reaching alternative to energy shots, drinks and supplements.

Note: Oxygen Plus (O+) products are intended for recreational, intermittent use only, not to be used as medical nor life-saving products. Prolonged use is defined as uninterrupted intake for more than 8 hours. Any person with any type of health or medical condition should consult their physician prior to use of O+ products. Since O+ is not a medical product or intended for medical use, it is neither regulated nor approved by the FDA. O+ is safe and there are no side effects for healthy people using the product as directed.