Oxygen v carbon dioxide

Oxygen is required by the body to combined with sugars in the tissue cells to produce energy, but it could not get into the tissue cells if carbon dioxide was not present. Having sufficient carbon dioxide present in the capillary blood allows oxygen to be released from the blood into the tissue cells, making it a vital component in the energy system.

In addition to this most important function, carbon dioxide directly or indirectly regulates every process in the body. Other important functions to do with snoring, sleep apnoea, asthma and panic that carbon dioxide regulates are:

• The acid-alkali balance in the blood
• The contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles that are found throughout the body
• Histamine production
• Airway narrowing.

Where does carbon dioxide come from?

When oxygen produces energy in the tissue cells, it also produces carbon dioxide and water. No one would consider that this manufactured water is a waste product because it is vital to keep the body healthy because we are comprised of approximately 70% water. Similarly carbon dioxide should not be considered as waste either. 

Most of the carbon dioxide in your body comes from muscle movement, and this is why when you are exercising hard you get hot (more oxygen release due to higher pressure of carbon dioxide), and why you also sweat more to get rid of the excess water and cool down.

Carbon dioxide is essential for life

In Konstantin Buteyko's own word, carbon dioxide is essential for life.

“The theory of life, in brief, is such that carbon dioxide is the basic nutrition of every life form on Earth - if it disappears, there will be no life on Earth. It acts as the regulator of all functions in the organism; it maintains the internal environment of the organism; it is the vitamin of all vitamins.” Konstantin Pavlovic Buteyko.
 

But just as oxygen is no use to you without carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide is no use either without oxygen. This is why breathing properly is essential for good health. It helps to keep the correct balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen, and once you put it right, all of the other good things that you do for yourself, such as eating well and exercising, will be more beneficial.