Madonna breathes easy

Music

13:30 20 February 2006

Madonna has had oxygen machines installed at both of her British homes - to give her energy.

The pop diva was using the high-tech machines to give herself oxygen facial beauty treatments, which she says help her maintain a porcelain doll-like complexion.

But she later discovered inhaling the pure air helped reduce her tiredness.

The jet-setting singer also believes breathing in the clean oxygen helps her beat jetlag.

She told a German magazine: "They're great.

"You just lie down for ten minutes and inhale."

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, has confirmed the star uses the unusual treatment.

She said: "She loves the machine. It's phenomenal. I want to try it myself."

Last month, Madonna sparked health fears after friends claimed she was looking "skinny and exhausted".

The 47-year-old's pals were reportedly worried she was taking her punishing exercise regime too far - and was jeopardising her health.

A source said at the time: "She looks way too thin. It's scary. Everyone around her is buzzing that she's working herself right into exhaustion."

Madonna is said to be following a gruelling fitness programme, including two to three hours a day of yoga and Pilates, plus swimming, weight training and cycling.

(c) BANG Media International