Last week I was called-on by the President and the VP of Operations of Lunar Health and Wellness in Newport Beach. They cited studies of how “altitude training” has been found as a natural means to help improve fitness and endurance. Being an endurance athlete, my curiosity was piqued. But as I did a little more research I realized that the wellness component would have more lasting benefits for me. I thought of two issues that I have been dealing with for years— sleep issues and exercise- induced asthma.
According to some of the data CVAC – Cyclic Variations in Altitude Conditioning will help me sleep better. By default getting more and better sleep every night will help me become a better athlete, right? My other issue is exercise- induced asthma. When I climb I can hold high intensity but as soon as I crest and the intensity wanes, I begin coughing uncontrollably.. In the past, I was prescribed two types of inhalers, one as a daily dose and the other as needed during coughing attacks. I don’t want to carry an inhaler nor do I want to be dependent on medication. CVAC potentially offers me a drug- free option at dealing with these two issues. And if that makes me a better endurance athlete in the process wouldn’t that be a bonus?
I’d like to hear from you — how many of you have heard of this technology and what are your thoughts?
George's Epic Adventures 
I’ve never heard of CVAC, but I’ll certainly be interested in your experiences. I’ve dealt with exercise induced asthma for years, I’ve done the whole bit of taking an assortment of medications until I finally said forget it. I now just carry albuterol, but I hate it when I have to use it. Mostly during running, not cycling, but like you said, it’s after you crest the hill that the problems arise. I would love to hear that there is another solution besides drugs.
~Debbie
Debbie,
Thank you for reading my blog and taking the time to post a comment. I was not aware that you had the same condition. I have suffered with it for years. In some races, when I gone up the climb really hard I puke up on the descent some of the fluids I’ve taken in while climbing– not good! Anyway, I will post my progress on this blog so you can keep checking in and see how I’m doing. I have only done two sessions thus far. I experienced coughing attacks today and I’m sure I will for a little while still.
george
High altitude conditioning for asthma sounds dubious given that many asthmatics live and play in high altitude locations (Denver, Lake Tahoe) without deriving any benefit or improvement to their condition.
Given that there’s less O2 at high altitude, your lungs have to work harder to sustain normal O2 levels in the body. Articles about high altitude training talk about this deficit and then go on to explain how the body compensates by producing more red blood cells to absorb more O2. Over time, this helps normalize O2 absorption at high altitude and improves athletic performance at sea level. However, increased lung capacity or having more red blood cells doesn’t prevent asthma since the condition is related more to inflammation of the bronchial passages and the environmental/circumstantial triggers that cause it.
Hi George,
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. In doing so, I noticed a “response” that I could expand upon and shed some light on regarding the CVAC technology and benefits associated with it.
Firstly it is very important to differentiate CVAC from altitude training. CVAC is a new technology that improves the biological markers of life through adaptation. A very small element of its process includes altitude acclimatisation.
The CVAC process is a patented methodology that safely applies precisely composed rhythm-based changes to pressure, temperature and air density. These dynamically cycled changes create waves of vaso-pneumatic compressions and counter-pulsations which internally stimulate ones body on a cellular and mitochondrial level, creating an infinitely positive adaptation that results in every system in the body improving. This is why there are so many benefits attached to CVAC above and beyond the performance enhancing properties. From the reversing of type 2 diabetes to showing promise in Autistic children. These are all for future posts.
CVAC sessions create a dynamic hypoxic environment (low oxygen) so therefore data on intermittent hypoxia can be used to support CVAC benefits. Its for this that I have included two relevant links regarding the correlation between asthma and intermittent hypoxia, hence CVAC.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15886409
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9844890
I hope this was informative in some way and benefited at least one reader. Thanks
Alex Sadak
President/CEO
Lunar Health and Wellness LLC
Alex,
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. What’s more important is that you educate me and my readers on CVAC and its many benefits. Feel free to comment on my reader’s posts since most of this stuff is over my head. Providing links of independent studies to support your position is very important. My audience is smart, curious and receptive to hard facts to expand their limited knowledge on CVAC.
Cheers,
george
Milly,
I’m just as much of a skeptic as you are but I am willing to give CVAC a chance to see what it will do for me. I will keep this blog updated with my progress.
Speaking of progress, how are you feeling lately?
Hi George!
After two surgeries and completing one chemo session I have to say, I’m doing well!
I will be undergoing treatment until September/October, so I’m nowhere near the midpoint of my journey. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic and feel in control of my body.
Doctors are very encouraging and feel strongly that I resume my training regimen in May. I’ve been off the bike since Feb, DV being the last event I rode. Getting back on the bike after two months of relative inactivity will be a challenge. It’s one challenge however I welcome with an open heart.
Cancer is a long distance journey that is testing my physical and mental mettle. In fact I see it and treat it as a type of endurance training session. I feel blessed. 😉
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