Carbon Dioxide

The Buteyko breathing method believes that we need to increase carbon dioxide levels in the body.

The Buteyko breathing method believes that we need to increase carbon dioxide levels in the body. Carbon dioxide is often thought of as a ‘waste’
gas, but carbon dioxide is vital to life. While it is true that we breathe to get rid of excess carbon dioxide, it is also important that we
retain a quotient of this gas. Depending on our genetic predisposition, the habit of breathing too much causes a reduced concentration of carbon
dioxide in the blood, resulting in narrowing of the airways and blood vessels. Conversely, a slight rise in carbon dioxide towards normal has
several beneficial effects in the body including; relaxing smooth muscle, increasing oxygenation, switching on the relaxing nervous system,
and increasing the body’s production of nitric oxide.