Oxygen saturation refers to the percentage of dissolved oxygen-saturated hemoglobin within the blood relative to total blood volume.
The human body needs and regulates a specific and exact balance of oxygen in the blood to function properly. Normal arterial oxygen saturation rates in most humans range from approximately 95 percent at rest to near saturation (100 percent at rest) during intense physical exertion or physical activity. However, low levels of dissolved oxygen-soluble blood volume can occur when such things as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, or a lack of sufficient nutrition affect your body’s ability to maintain normal arterial oxygen saturation. These issues can result in hypoxemia or an altered oxygen delivery system in the body.
Hypoxia, or “under saturation,” occurs when the body is not receiving enough oxygen and cannot utilize it adequately. As a result, your brain and other vital organs will attempt to compensate for the absence of oxygen by producing more red blood cells, which carry less oxygen to the various tissues of the body. In addition, your lungs will produce more mucus and phlegm to replace the lost oxygen. When your body continues to operate at a low level of dissolved oxygen saturation (hypoxia), you will typically experience the following symptoms: shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, a pounding headache, drowsiness, vomiting, seizures, and confusion. In some people, hypoxia can also cause hallucinations, heart palpitations, dizziness, or lightheadedness. To treat hypoxia, it is important that medical attention be sought to correct the problems contributing to this condition.
Oxygen deprivation can occur through the lack or excess of physical exercise, a lack or excess of carbohydrates or proteins, or a combination of these factors. While exercise is the best way to reduce oxygen intake, it is not the only option available.
If you have suffered a respiratory problem or have experienced a gastrointestinal complication or illness, it is wise to seek medical assistance to correct the issue so that you can return to your normal level of dissolved oxygen saturation.
Many people are encouraged to include more protein and less carbohydrates in their diets because this is thought to promote the production of lean muscle tissue and can result in a lower risk of developing high protein diets. Although research is still being conducted to determine how it may promote lean tissue mass, this has not been found to be an effective means of avoiding hypoxia.
An adequate amount of carbohydrates can prevent a buildup of lactic acid in your muscles and the buildup of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. When your body is working at a high level of efficiency, your heart rate will increase to a faster rate, and your body will require the use of more energy to deliver more oxygenated blood to the various tissues of the body. When you are under a great deal of physical exertion, the increased heart rate can cause the breakdown of muscle tissues and the release of carbon dioxide into your bloodstream. This carbon dioxide can cause a decrease in oxygen supply to the cells of the body leading to hypoxia.
It is believed that a low-calorie diet will slow down the body’s metabolism. When your metabolic rate slows down, the body will use fat and protein as a source of fuel in order to maintain its normal rate of oxidation. Although there are no direct relationships between the foods we eat and the rate of metabolism, many experts agree that it is a good idea to avoid eating foods rich in saturated fats, oils, sugar, salt, and cholesterol.
There are other factors that may influence a decrease in oxygen saturation, such as the amount of water in your blood, the health of your arteries, your respiratory system, and other health conditions affecting your blood such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. These conditions will increase your heart rate and your breathing, which can cause hypoxia. To avoid hypoxia, it is important to take the proper measures to maintain a proper level of dissolved oxygen in your blood.
Maintaining proper levels of dissolved oxygen will result in a higher quality of life and less stress in your life. In addition to helping the body to avoid hypoxia, exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet will promote healthy circulation throughout the body and help to keep your body well-oxygenessed.