HUMAN beings cannot survive without oxygen. A slight decline in oxygen levels will result in shortness of breath, headache and light-headedness whilst long-term effects of oxygen depletion can result in cancers and other degenerative diseases.

Oxygen, odourless, tasteless and colourless, is the most essential nutrient to enter the body, and when it is in low supply, our internal system starts to become anaerobic, says Canadian doctor of naturopathy Dr Randy Widmer, who has over 30 years experience in oxygen therapy.

"It takes proper intake of oxygen to keep the body cells, organs and the immune system functioning at full efficiency," he adds.

He explains that oxygen provides us with 90 per cent of our nutritional energy while only 10 per cent comes from the food we eat. The more our cells are saturated with stabilised oxygen, the lower the wear and tear that occurs in our body.

"It is important to sustain the natural immortality factor of cells and to prevent degenerative diseases. Oxygen is also an essential factor for burning body toxins generated through external impacts such as environment pollution, water contamination and unhealthy food intake. The lower the content of oxygen, the less ability we have to burn toxins, to heal and to fight disease."

The brain is the body's single largest consumer of oxygen and although the brain represents only two per cent of the body weight, it utilises about 20 per cent of the oxygen. As a result, the brain is especially sensitive to hypoxia.

Widmer says hypoxia results in a reduction on oxygen supply to one or more areas of the body. Chronic hypoxia or prolonged oxygen deficiency can be seen as the single greatest cause of all diseases, especially as oxygen levels in the environment we live in continue to drop.

"As a result, many people experience breathing difficulties. The supply of oxygen is often not enough in poorly ventilated rooms or when we are under stress or pressure at work" he says.

How do we replenish the oxygen supply to our body? Through a supplement called AO II, claims Dr Widmer, who has been manufacturing health-related products for over 30 years.

"AO II, which has been in the market for over 20 years, contains stabilised oxygen molecules that are formed through an electro-chemical process.

"It also contains over 1,000 times more oxygen than tap water."

It improves the health of red blood cells, allowing it to transport oxygen to tissues efficiently, act as key facilitator for cellular energy production and increase oxygen levels as clinically proven.

He says that studies have shown that AO II reduces radical activity that leads to ageing. He quoted Dr Otto Warburg, a two-time winner of the Nobel Prize Laureate for medicine, who once said: "The prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the normal oxygen respiration of body cells by an anaerobic (low oxygen) cell respiration."

Widmer is in Kuala Lumpur to talk about the health benefits of AO II. Looking at him, one would never think he is a day older than 50 and he credits his youthful look to oxygen therapy.

"Our concern now is how we can feed our body with an adequate supply of oxygen. About 10,000 years ago, human beings breathed in a much more oxygen-rich air and the oxygen level in the atmosphere in prehistoric times averaged around 35 to 38 per cent as compared to only 21 per cent today. In densely-populated polluted city centres and industrial complexes, the level drops to 15 per cent or lower. Once we reach an oxygen level of six to seven per cent life can no longer be sustained," he says.

AO II in water helps alleviate initial symptoms of oxygen deficiency which include chronic fatigue, poor memory, muscle ache and breathlessness.

When we are under stress at work, we need two to three times more oxygen compared to normal conditions. Likewise, when we consume an unhealthy diet, our body needs more oxygen for metabolism.

"Oxygen therapy is a powerful method of nourishing your body with oxygen and is especially beneficial for those with debilitating medical conditions. One of the first things you will feel after taking it is an increase in energy," says Widmer.

He recommends 20 drops of AO II in a 250ml glass of water to be taken three times a day to derive full benefits.