Hum: verb, make a low, steady continuous sound like that of a bee.
In my previous blog which I posted in July, I mentioned the amazing ‘magic molecule’ nitric oxide (NO). This molecule is a colourless gas that was proclaimed ‘molecule of the year’ in 1992 and the 1998 Nobel Prize was awarded for discovering nitric oxide’s role as a cardiovascular signalling molecule.
This magic molecule, which kills viruses (including the Coronavirus) and bacteria is released in our sinus cavity when we breathe through our nose.1 NO also opens up the airways inside the nose and our lungs, which allows oxygen to travel effectively from the outside world to where it is needed inside our bodies. If we breathe through our mouth, NO production slows down and switches off, so we don’t get the amazing benefits that nose breathers get.
So, how do we increase NO production to keep us at maximum breathing health? The answer is to hum! You can hum-along to anything but at this time of year, why not hum-along to your favourite Christmas tunes? The oscillating airflow caused by humming enhances sinus ventilation and increases NO levels by 15 times.2 That is an enormous increase!
Be sure to inhale in through your nose at the end of each hum.
A reminder of the key points to stay healthy and prevent respiratory problems:
a/ Make sure you breathe through your nose 24 hours per day, especially at night and whilst speaking.
b/ Clean you nose morning and night with a Xlear Nasal Spray.
c/ Start regular humming.
References:
- Martel J; Ko YF; Young J; Ojcius D. Could Nasal Nitric Oxide Help to Mitigate the Severity of COVID-19. Microbes Infect, Vol 22(4) 168-171, 2020
- Weitzberg E; Lundberg ON. Humming Greatly Increases Nasal Oxide. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol 166(2) 2002 accessed: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200202-138BC