Summary
Darin Olien sits down with Patrick McKeown, creator of the Oxygen Advantage method, to explore the science behind nasal breathing, facial development, and the BOLT test. McKeown explains how chronic mouth breathing leads to poor facial development, reduced oxygen delivery, and increased breathlessness during exercise. They discuss the Body Oxygen Level Test as a practical assessment of CO2 tolerance and breathing efficiency, with McKeown noting that most people score well below the ideal 40-second target. The conversation covers how nasal breathing activates nitric oxide production, improves oxygen delivery via the Bohr effect, and can positively influence facial structure even in adults.
Key Points
- Patrick McKeown explains the BOLT (Body Oxygen Level Test) as a measure of CO2 tolerance, not oxygen levels, with 40 seconds as the target score
- About 17% of the population are persistent mouth breathers, leading to poor facial development and reduced airway function
- Nasal breathing produces nitric oxide which sterilizes incoming air, opens airways, and improves oxygen uptake
- The Bohr effect explains how higher CO2 tolerance improves oxygen delivery to working muscles
- Facial structure and attractiveness are linked to breathing patterns - nasal breathing promotes forward jaw growth
- Even adults can see changes in facial structure from switching to consistent nasal breathing
- McKeown recommends breathing minimally through the nose to improve CO2 tolerance over time
Key Moments
Patrick McKeown explains the BOLT test and CO2 tolerance
McKeown introduces the Body Oxygen Level Test and explains how it measures breathing efficiency through CO2 tolerance assessment.
"In 1998, he found an article in an Irish newspaper about the Bidayeiko breath method. He tried the exercise to unlock his nose and was struck by how well it actually worked by using the nose."
How nasal breathing affects facial development and attractiveness
McKeown explains the connection between nasal breathing, facial structure, and attractiveness, noting that forward jaw growth indicates good airway development.
"It's the high cheekbones, it's the forward growth of the jaws, it's the maxilla that's forward, it's the mandible that's forward, it's the teeth that are straight. But more importantly, when the face grows that way, what's the airway?"
17% of people are persistent mouth breathers
McKeown reveals that research shows 17% of individuals are persistent mouth breathers, which deteriorates health and breathing efficiency.
"Breathing is so boring that researchers haven't actually sat down. Both studies come in that individuals were persistent mouth breeders at 17%."
