It is hard to believe but there are actually some individuals out there who never get sick. Oh, maybe a sneeze now and then, a slight temperature even. But these folks rarely feel the same type of misery as the rest of us when they do “come down with something” for a day – maybe even two days. Ask them what they do and they may have a list as long as your arm of preventative measures they take or they will tell you they are just blessed with good health. Either reason makes me ill just thinking about them.
Since man first walked upright we have been asking ourselves why is it that we get sick. And for as long as humans have been seeking assistance from their medicine man, the answer has been – we are what we eat. Obviously the answer is a bit more complex than that but the point is made, what we put in our guts determines what kind of health misfortunes we will likely experience. We now know that what we eat directly effects how we age and what our odds are for any sort of extended longevity.
Most often are shortened life spans are a result of the processed and refined foods and beverages we consume which are loaded with contaminates and can produce the pernicious free radicals that will assault our body’s. They create a whole host of difficulties for us from contracting deadly illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and most foreboding of all, cancer.
Origin Of The Problem: Free Radicals
So, what are free radicals? In rudimentary terms, these are atoms that do not have an electron. Yep! This hitch for the atom means they are chemically abnormal and pretty unbalanced. When they are like this, they force an all out assault on our healthy cells in an attempt to “pilfer” the elusive electrons from some other molecule so they can become steadier. When we consume foods that contain these free radicals, we are inviting unbalanced and combative molecules into our systems where they will cause nothing but trouble and create havoc on a molecular plane – and illness and disease, we get sick!
Ask yourself when the last time you ate a big meal and afterwards you felt overly full, worn out and lethargic? This takes us back to or initial query as to why we get sick. The way you feel after that type of meal is more a response to outrunning an axe murderer rather than eating a meal.
When you pig out at meal time your body is required to digest this overload by expending far more energy that it usually would and for much less beneficial return. This scenario of feeling like you are being chased down by a madman with a gardening implement is in fact the way your body is impacted by the trauma of overeating and without getting any health benefits from it. The consequence of this is you are inviting still more free radicals into your system.
In the same way, as we consume evermore fast food that is processed or refined, our systems must work overtime using up precious energy reserves in order to break down through digestion the lousy food choices you are making. That does not even take into account the preservatives and additives that make up so much of these types of foods. These things have a huge negative impact on our health as we unnecessarily use up energy for digestion that we would ordinarily be using to enjoy our life. That meal better be worth it!
Of course there are other contributing factors that lead to the creation of free radicals like stress in our lives, too much anger and depression. Our bodies become overtaxed by oxidative stress and this causes our immune system to become vulnerable, giving free reign to the free radicals to course through our bodies doing damage. There is no getting away from the fact that this ongoing battle is played out regularly within our bodies and we are willing participants for the enemy in so many cases.
Consuming Natural Fare
Equally as important, eating natural foods or the organic varieties that are available, is a means of rejecting a considerable amount of free radical opposition within our bodies. When we treat our diets with more care and caution, we are removing the imposing burden of free radicals, taking away one portal for them to do harm through our dietary sustenance. There are plenty of other ways for free radicals to do their damage to our health without eating them!
Consuming a natural and organic foods diet is the primary way to having a healthy life. They permit your metabolism to operate at peak efficiency and clear the way for a more vigorous and energy filled physical life. When you feel healthier and have more energy, you function with a new mental outlook and positive well being.
As was hinted at earlier, food borne free radicals are only one manner by which this scourge can invade your being. Free radicals surround us in our environment and ecologically we are at the mercy of fate and our own awareness and ability to avoid exposure to contaminants that will gradually make us sick. Each time we step outdoors we are assaulted by car exhaust, delivered by thousands of automobiles, carbon monoxide from the industrial complex pervades the air we breathe and atmosphere we live and work in.
This poison and others are everywhere we go and there is just so much we can do about it as individuals. But there are certain things we can do to mitigate the effects. On a personal level we can choose where we spend time, how safe we make our own small personal space on the planet. Avoiding plastics and other environmentally unsafe products and many of the contents kept inside them is also a start. Cleaning supplies used in our home can be natural produced rather than man made. Be aware of what types of chemicals we are allowing into our homes.
As for our personal lifestyle choices, many of us could do a better job of making these decisions. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco are two choices we make that have a great bearing on the question of why we get sick. It is amazing that we purposely do these destructive things to our bodies than wonder why we become ill.
Fortunately, we have the ability to turn around the effects of free radical damage, make us healthier while we do it and decrease the harm that free radicals inflict upon our physiology. We counter the risk of free radicals by learning more about antioxidants and how they serve to protect us and make us healthy.
How Antioxidants Protect Us
Antioxidants is a term that encompasses all sources of nutrition, vitamins or supplements that assist in counteracting and safeguarding us from the damage done by free radicals and oxidative trauma. The most familiar of these antioxidants that do battle with free radicals and aid in keeping us healthy are the vitamins A, E, and C.
These healthy combatants, among other kinds of antioxidants, give up their additional electrons to the free radicals, effectively assuaging them. When they do this they eliminate any reason for the free radicals to run rampant within our systems causing mayhem while destroying our healthy cells, damaging organs all in their attempt to regain their equilibrium.
It is important to become familiar with at least some of the more common sources of antioxidant laden foods. These would include organic fruits, vegetables, teas [black, herbal and green], nuts and certain spices. These should make up your primary resource for antioxidants since they are more easily able to assist in the absorption of the antioxidants found within them. There is no doubt that taking a supplemental form of antioxidant or consuming vitamins and minerals have a huge impact also.
Antioxidants are amazing for our quality of health but their effects have much more value than previously understood. For instance, antioxidants can significantly reduce the physical pain we feel. Antioxidants help to decrease inflammation internally in cells that encourages less soreness and aching. The effect this has on our personal well being cannot be discounted since it allows us greater freedom for physical activity once the pain is alleviated. Persons who were once not able to exercise can now take part in improving their fitness level. This means healthier heart muscles and the opportunity for a better quality of life and potential longevity.
Therefore, when we ask the question “why do we get sick?” is the answer free radical damage due to oxidative trauma? Are we consuming enough fresh natural foods so we gain all the benefits that antioxidants can produce? That would be a resounding affirmative on both counts. However, we also must start paying closer attention to the kind of environments we place ourselves in. Working conditions, where we live and spend the most time need to be clear of toxicity as much as possible.
If a person works with toxic chemicals, they should consider a job change if they want to remain healthy. Eventually contaminants will leech their way into your system regardless of the precautions taken. When locating your home pay special attention to the surrounding areas. Many older neighborhoods once had factories and industrial facilities intermingled within communities where employees often lived. Now, years later, new families move into these areas with plans to refurbish only to find out too late that the old factories are surrounded in chemical waste from a bygone era. Entire neighborhoods become ill.
It is said that are health is the most important asset we have. Anyone who has been desperately ill can attest to this fact. The majority of us need to increase our personal attentiveness to the dangers around us if we expect to live an extended life span. As humans in the twenty first century we have so many potential threats working against us [we have not even discussed the free radical damage caused by the sun] that we need to do what we can to maximize our chances for a long and healthy life. Start by paying more attention!
Anti Aging Supplements, Health And Aging, Lifestyle, Longevity
Wed, Jun 23, 2010
Anti Aging Supplements, Health And Aging, Lifestyle, Longevity