The Essentials for Health


by Mary John - Date: 2006-12-04 - Word Count: 679 Share This!

Every single disease is caused by one of these three things:

a deficiency of vital nutrientsfree radical damage to cells ora malfunctioning immune systemThe top six causes of death are all diet related, so it seems only logical that anyone interested in improving their health, or just maintaining their health should have all the essential nutritional elements in their diet.

A complete healthy diet should contain

essential vitamins and mineralsessential carbohydrates (glyconutrients)essential amino acidsessential fatty acidsantioxidantsstem cell activatorVitamins and Minerals:The role of vitamins and minerals in the diet has long been established and no one even questions that, however the role of many of the other items above are not as well known.

Essential Carbohydrates or Glyconutrients

GlycoNutrients is a fancy name for 8 special sugars (carbohydrates or monosaccharides) that are absolutely essential for the body to function properly and maintain health. Only recently did scientists realize the immense role these simple sugars play in our lives. These molecules are involved in the communication and inter-cellular functions of every cell in the human body. Without them our immune system doesn't function properly. When your immune system is not working properly you will find yourself struggling with allergies, asthma, memory loss, pain, fatigue, auto-immune diseases or even more life threatening illnesses.

Essential Amino Acids:

These are amino acids that the human body can't make for itself and must be supplied by the diet. Nine amino acids are regarded as essential for the body's health and well being these are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, theonine, trptophan, and valine. If even one of the essential amino acids are missing the body will begin to break down the protein in tissues such as muscle in order to supply the lack.

Essential Fatty Acids:

There are two of these, omega 3, and omega 6. These cannot be made by the body and must be supplied by the diet. These fatty acids serve multiple functions. The body uses them to make other chemicals used to help fight inflammaton, to make chemicals used to effect our mood or behavior, chemicals that are needed for cell signaling, amount other things.

Antioxidants:

These chemicals (polyphenols, phytochemicals, Anthocyanins) are chemicals that neutralize the free radicals generated by our bodies because of stress, pollution, toxins, mental strain, physical exertion and poor diets. Free radicals disrupt the body systems and destroy cell membranes, or cause mutating cells (cancer). The antioxidants combine with these radicals and make them harmless.

Stem Cell Activator:

Recent breakthrough's in science have shown the value of stem cells which are cells found in the bone marrow that travel to the site of damage to the body and change themselves into whatever cells are needed. The are essential to the body's healing process but as we age they are less and less active so healing takes longer and longer. It has been discovered that certain nutritional foods will stimulate the stem cells in our body and make them active again, causing them to help us rejuvenate faster. Although not "essential" they form a desirable part of our diet.

All these food nutrients should be supplied by our diets. Unfortunately Americans no longer receive many of them in the foods they eat. This is due in part to our choice of foods, but even people who try to eat "healthy" have trouble getting all the nutrition they need. This is because of the way foods are grown and processed these days. Picking fruits and vegetables before they are ripe does not allow many vital glyconutrients to develop, the depletion of the soil of minerals and trace minerals which are not supplied by fertilizers, the processing of foods that removes the hulls, peel, germ, etc, the adding of preservatives, the overcooking, drying, or freezing processes that break down, wash out, or otherwise destroy these vital components of life. Regardless of what we eat we all need to take supplements to supply what is missing in our diet. An all inclusive supplement would be best, but several individual sources would work just as well. The important thing is to take them, and take them regularly for a longer and healthier life.


Related Tags: antioxidants, vitamins, nutrition, diet, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, stem cell, glyconutrien

Teacher for 35 years. Has run and still runs several successful web businesses. Ebay superseller. Lecturer about education for homeschoolers and other teachers.

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