[Edit]Re: Oxygen...hmmm, pretty important "nutrient", eh?

Here's what I found so far.

According to John Christopher "Sulphur is one of the best minerals to be used as an oxygen carrier. Oxygen is the breath of life and sulphur will carry the oxygen in the body directly to the infected area."

http://www.herballegacy.com/Garlic_page2.html

Here are some foods sources of sulphur:

- brussel sprouts
- cabbage
- brocolli
- kale
- legumes
- cauliflower
- horseradish
- turnips
- watercress
- dried beans
- wheat germ
- rasberry
- kelp

Some herbal sources of sulphur are:

- garlic
- onion
- horsetail

http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/Diet_Nutrition/sulphur.htm

http://www.vitaminuk.com/pages/articles/quickreferenceguidetominerals.htm#Sul...

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/food.htm

Another element that plays an oxygenation role is germanium. According to some sources on the internet and some books I looked at, Germanium reduces the body's need for oxygen and improves the body's use of what is available. It "improves cellular oxygenation".

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Lgermanium.htm

http://www.physicianschoice.net/pages/Home/Glossary/G

Some food sources of germanium are:
- garlic
- shiitake mushrooms
- onions
- barley

Some herbal sources of germanium are:
– aloe vera
- comfrey
- ginseng
- suma

http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/Diet_Nutrition/germanium.htm

http://drugsafetysite.com/herbs/germanium/

Increasing circulation in general will increase oxygen in the body.

Some herbs that stimulate circulation are:
- ginko
- bayberry
- cayenne
- hyssop
- black cohosh
- don quai
- prickly ash bark

It seems like many of those things listed are both carriers and deliverers of oxygen, while germanium is a facilitator of oxygen. Later today I'll research further, but you brought up an interesting topic.

Edit: Another idea. I've read in several places that calcium is one of the primary alkalinizing/oxygenating elements of the body. In fact, during hypoxia, there is an increase of intracellular calcium. I'm not too sure of its role during that condition, but I'd imagine that the body would try to increase oxygen availability before the cells suffocate, and an increase in calcium seems like one way it would happen.

If calcium is a primary oxygenator of the body, ensuring good regulation of it is vital.

Now, people try to get enough calcium in their system by supplementing with rocks, which is probably a mistake. The calcium in supplements usually isn't very bioavailable, from what I understand. Our calcium supply should come from the food we eat, foods high in calcium. There is a book called "Calcium Without The Cow" by Dr. Sally Rockwell that discusses how to get enough calcium without having to consume dairy. I haven't read it yet, but it seems promising. Once you're ingesting enough calcium, you need to ensure that your intestines are absorbing it sufficiently. You do that by getting enough Vitamin D, i.e., getting out in the sunlight. Once the calcium is absorbed, you need to ensure that your body is sufficiently mobilizing and transporting the calcium into the bones and other places it belongs, rather than places you don't want it, like your arteries. You do that by getting enough omega 3/6 and Vitamin K. Omega 3 increases levels of calcium in the body and helps deposit it into the bones; there are papers I've seen on olive oil (which is more Omega 6) mobilizing calcium; Vitamin K keeps calcium in your bones and out of your blood vessels. Sources of Omega 3 are dark leafy greens, flaxseeds, and fish. Olive Oil and plenty of other sources have Omega 6. There are two forms of Vitamin K. K1 is found in things like seaweed, kale, brocolli, and spinach. There is a lot of K2 in Natto and miso.

I'll look for links on papers discussing this topic, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.