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OXYCHAT!
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September 6, 2005

Welcome to the Oxycise! Newsletter, a publication to help you in your quest for the body you want and deserve!

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*A* How Deep Breathing Can Improve Your Overall Health
*B* Success Story
*C* Sharing
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"Using cameras inside the body, J.W.Shields, M.D., found that deep, diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect which pulls the lymph through the bloodstream. This increases the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal rate." ~ ("Lymph, lymph glands and homeostasis," _Lymphology_, v25, n4, Dec. 1992, pp. 147-153.)

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*A* How Deep Breathing Can Improve Your Overall Health
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MEET YOUR LYMPH SYSTEM!

You probably know quite a bit about your cardiovascular system and the basic functions of your heart, blood vessels, and arteries. But how much do you know about your lymph system?

Did you know that your lymph system is twice the size of your circulatory system? You have twice as much lymph as blood in your body, and twice as many lymph vessels as blood vessels!

Lymph itself is a clear-to-white fluid made of chyle (fluid from the intestines after digestion that contains proteins and fats), some red blood cells, and many white blood cells (especially lymphocytes, which are the cells that attack bacteria in the blood).

The lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph from tissues to the bloodstream.

The lymph system is a major component of the body's immune system.

The organs within the lymphatic system are the tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus.

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped, soft nodules. They are not usually visible or easily felt. They are located in clusters in various parts of the body, such as the neck, armpit, and groin. Lymph nodes produce immune cells (such as lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells). They also filter the lymph fluid and remove foreign material, such as bacteria and cancer cells. When bacteria are recognized in the lymph fluid, the lymph nodes enlarge as they produce additional white blood cells to help fight infection.

Like the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system is made up of channels or vessels, valves and filters (nodes). But unlike the cardiovascular system, there is no pump like the heart. Instead, the lymphatic fluid is forced through the system by the action of the muscles and BREATHING.

The lymph system has been referred to as "our river of life." Imagine the blood vessels like a giant highway system that delivers "goods" (oxygen and nutrients) to all the cells of the body. But the cells are like billions of tiny islands, surrounded by water (lymph fluid). The lymph system is what carries the "goods" from the blood vessels to each of the "islands" (the cells.) Then it transports waste products from the cells back to the circulatory system, so the body can get rid of the waste. These cellular wastes include carbon dioxide, lactic acid and metabolites. Without the lymph system the body would die from its own toxic wastes!

Dr. Gerald M. Lemole is a professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Medical college, and chief of cardiovascular surgery at Christian Care Health Services in Delaware. He has performed or directed over 20,000 heart operations. The key to health, Dr. Lemole believes, is to keep your lymphatic system open and flowing freely. He says, "You can eliminate 70 percent of the chronic illnesses that are in part the result of that system being clogged." He believes this includes heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Dr. Lemole believes cleansing the lymphatic system allows the body to more efficiently clear excess cholesterol out of the arteries. "If we could keep the lymphatics -- the bodys cleansing system -- clear, the cholesterol would travel easily, and little or no cholesterol would build up in the arteries." Dr. Lemole writes, "The lymphatic system is as essential to bodily function as the bloodstream it complements." "To keep it clear," he says, "you need to increase its drainage capacity or reduce its intake of toxins." He suggests doing both through diet, stress reduction, exercise and deep breathing.

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DEEP BREATHING

Exercise makes the whole lymphatic system work better. Because exercise makes us breathe faster and more deeply. Deep breathing, according to Dr. Lemole, is an important element in circulation of lymph fluid. In fact, Lemole says, "The major exercise that I do is breathe." Hes not talking about the unconscious breathing we do constantly. Hes referring to "deep, conscious breathing," which, he says, speeds the flow of lymphatic fluid around the heart and "through your chest on its way to the liver."

"Proper breathing is the most important thing you can do for maintaining health," says Dr. Lemole. Theres a wrong way and a right way to breathe. Children, says Lemole, breathe deeply, from their diaphragm. As we age, however, our breathing shifts to the chest and becomes more rapid and more shallow. Deep breathing is best, says Lemole. He recommends taking a few minutes each day to practice breathing deeply.

Deep breathing is important, because it makes your lymphatic system work better. The lymph collected throughout the body drains into the blood through two ducts situated at the base of the neck, the main one being the thoracic duct. Breathing drives this action. "If you take a deep breath and exhale deeply, youre massaging the thoracic duct upward into the neck so that the fluid flows generously," Lemole explains. "This duct empties the lymph into the veins, where it becomes part of the blood plasma. From there the lymph returns to the liver for metabolization, and finally to the kidneys for filtering."

Remember, the lymph system doesnt have a heart to keep it flowing. Its dependent on contraction of the muscles and breathing. So, breathe deeply and exercise. "No matter what exercise you choose, the important thing is to do it regularly and habitually," counsels Dr. Lemole. "No matter what exercise you prefer, the key is consistency."

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OXYCISE! and LYMPH CONDITIONS

I first became interested in Oxycise because I have a condition in my left arm, lymphedema, after a mastectomy and lymph node removal. Deep breathing is one of the parts of my therapy, to get the lymph moving. Lymphedema limbs can become very large without proper treatment and care. And also, being normal weight is of most importance. My arm is normal-sized because I am careful to follow the prescribed treatments, but Oxycise has greatly helped me. This is my 6th week, and I am thrilled with my results. There are more benefits from Oxycise than just losing weight and inches and feeling better! I strongly suggest Oxycise on the lymphedema lists that I am on. In fact, people who know me probably think I own stock in this company, because I am so excited about it. Thank you, Jill!

Jeanelle Ray
September 2003

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"Hello,
I am a physical therapist certified in lymphedema management. Lymphedema is a condition that results when lymph nodes or vessels are either deficient or removed (such as surgery for cancer, exessive scarring or congenital defects) resulting in swelling. It can result in recurrent infections and disability. Treatment consists of manual lymph drainage (a hands-on "lymph redirection" technique), education for meticulous skin and nail care, compression and exercises. I teach most of my patients diaphragmatic breathing (even my non-lymphedema patients), but I think that Oxycise! would be a great way for patients with lymphedema to exercise. People with lymphedema are not encouraged to do traditional exercise (although walking and water exercise are OK) because it can lead to further swelling. I wish Oxycise! and the National Lymphedema Network or the Lymphedema Association of Northern America could get together and encourage all lymphedema therapists to recommend Oxycise! I attended the national lymphedema conference last month and there were vendors with bandaging and compression and skin care products, but nothing about exercise! I wish an Oxycise! representative could attend a lymphedema conference so that the word would get out. If you could put together a pamphlet with the lymphedema information and information about your videotapes, I would give them out to all of my lymphedema patients. Thank you for renewing my passion for what I do for a living and for how I stay healthy all in one newsletter!"

Angela Roberts
Roanoke, Va

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"Dear Julie,
I am writing to you to let you know that I enjoy reading your great website and reading the messages on your chat room. I have noticed that many of the Oxycise users are asking about whether O! can improve their cellulite. I would like to give my explanation on this subject. First, I am Clinical Aesthetician, a skin care specialist, who works in the plastic surgery field. One of the procedures that I offer patients post-op, and individuals with a cellulite condition is called Lymphatic Drainage.

"Without getting into a long, boring, medical explanation on the hows and whys about our lymphatic system, I will tell you, as a highly trained professional, why I think Oxycise breathing technique can be a component to improving cellulite conditions. Briefly, our lymphatic system, or our lymphatics, are drains that take away the debris and excesses of daily wear and tear in the tissues. (that's probably why Oxycisers will see their skin & breakouts will improve).

"The lymphatic system is a primitive method of moving fluid through the body of animals. Every cell in the body must be supplied with nutrition, oxygen, hormones, water, essential ions, and other material. The metabolic process requires not only the delivery of these essentials but also the removal of their byproducts, as waste. Each cell is not contiguous with its neighbor but its surrounded by a thin fluid layer that provides the contact with the fluid stream that is essential to the metabolic process. The task of the lymphatic system is to remove these waste products and return them to the blood stream, where they may be recycled or destroyed. The lymph vessel in the connective tissue allows the lymph to flow or move by muscle contraction, pulsating artery, and , here it is, BREATHING.

"Now, if you have made it this far, and were not too bored, then you can see why there is a good possibility that Oxycisers may see an improvement in their skin texture, color, tone, and skin breakouts. When we stimulate the lymph system, we also produce a calming effect on the nervous system, which is why I think that deep breathing at night, (like some of your users do) will create a more calmer, deeper sleep. Great for stressed out people. Cellulite is a congested tissue problem, so therefore, by stimulating the drainage and cleansing of the congested tissue there may be improvement."

Sincerely,
Rita

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Read more about the Lymph System:

Website Articles:
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/150/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002247.htm

Books
"The Healing Diet" by Dr. Gerald M. Lemole, M.D. (Morrow, 2001)


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*B* SUCCESS STORY
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*** KELLY ***

August 29, 2005

"I first began using Oxycise! in 2001 after seeing pictures of myself at our daughter's wedding. I had bought the tapes a few months earlier, but had not really given them a chance. I changed my eating habits and lost 44 pounds and numerous inches using Oxycise! as my sole form of exercise. I loved the way I felt: my skin glowed, my nails were stronger, I had more energy, I just felt great in general. I was determined to make Oxycise! a permanent part of my lifestyle. What I failed to do, however, is make "sensible" eating a permanent part of my lifestyle. Despite Oxycising faithfully six days a week, I let my eating habits get out of control. I feel confident that if I hadn't been doing my Oxycise!, I would have gained back far more than I did... which was 32.5 pounds!

"In January of this year, I decided it was once again time to get serious. I evaluated my eating habits and determined that the best plan for me was to count my calories. Portion control has always been my biggest downfall. I knew this would be a way to control how much I ate without depriving myself of the foods I really enjoy.

"Counting calories and Oxycise! have turned out to be the perfect combination for me. In the past eight months I have lost 50.5 pounds! I measure in five places and have lost a total of 30.5 inches! (ribcage 5", natural waist 6.5", lower abs 7.5", hips 7.5", thigh 4")

"I honestly feel like I can live with this way of eating and Oxycising the rest of my life! Yes, I do feel like I have to still count my calories at least five days a week...I know my own personality well enough to realize I might get carried away again if I don't. Splurging once or twice a week keeps me from feeling trapped in a diet.

"I love Oxycise! and am so thankful for what it has done for me!! I highly recommend going to the Oxychat Message Room for support and encouragement. Browsing through the posts can answer most any question someone might have concerning Oxycise!. Best of all, though, I've made some wonderful friends by posting there on a regular basis."

Kelly S.
Arkansas


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*C* SHARING
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"Life is but a series of breaths. Breath is Life. We can live a long time without eating, a couple days without drinking, but life without breath is measured in minutes. Something so essential deserves our attention. Breath is the most important of all the bodily functions, in fact all the other bodily functions depend on breath." ~ Rev. James Vinson Wingo, DD


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REMEMBER: You have a magnificent body. Treat it right!
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Jill Johnson
Oxycise! International, Inc.
PO Box 262022
Littleton, CO 80163

Julie Gudmundsen,
OxyChat Editor
julie@oxycise.com

Oxycise! Website http://www.oxycise.com
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Order Questions? info@oxycise.com


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