Breathing properly can help the body lose weight, says Patrick McKeown in his new book "The Oxygen Advantage: The Simple, Scientifically Proven Breathing Techniques for a Healthier, Slimmer, Faster and Fitter You".

"The quantity of the air you breathe has the potential to transform everything you thought you knew about your body, your health and your performance," he wrote in his introduction.

"The Oxygen Advantage" reveals that people are usually more conscious about what and how much they eat and drink when watching over their weight.

However, one thing is almost always overlooked-breathing. If eating and drinking too much can be a bad thing, breathing too much can be, too.

In his book, Patrick McKeown discusses the concept of over-breathing. Chronic over-breathing, he says, can be one of the biggest obstacles to health and fitness.

People have the tendency to over-breathe if they constantly do the following:

• Breathing through the mouth while doing daily activities
• Breathing through the mouth during sleep
• Holding one's breath during sleep
• Having more movements from chest than the abdomen
• Constantly sighing throughout the day

The author also explained how over-breathing can affect people. It is a general knowledge that humans need the oxygen from the air they breathe and exhale carbon dioxide. However, carbon dioxide plays an important role in ensuring that the oxygen travels to the bloodstream and reach other parts of the body.

The following are exercises to help the body lose weight and lean towards fitness, as summarized by Daily Mail:

Perform a light exercise by making breathing shallower and until there is a small lack of air, then breathe normally. The exercise may be repeated for a few minutes.

When feeling stressed, take a walk for a few minutes. Pinching the nose and holding breath for about two seconds while walking can boost carbon dioxide levels and get oxygen working.

When it comes to getting a deep slumber, some breathing exercises can also be helpful. It is best to avoid eating two hours before bedtime. A cool and airy bedroom is also ideal for a healthy bedtime breathing.

Patrick McKeown's breathing exercises and tips can benefit different types of people-from professional athletes to the most out-of-shape people. The exercises can also be helpful to people with respiratory conditions.

All in all, the book reveals knowledge that can help people maintain or lose weight safely, improve sleep, improve focus and concentration and reduce breathlessness during more difficult exercises.

Patrick McKeown has helped thousands of people on their breathing problems, especially those who have asthma, anxiety and panic attacks. He also wrote the book "Asthma-Free Naturally: Everything You Need to Know to Take Control of Your Asthma".