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09/28/2006: "A Hard Cell"
I am beginning to believe that it is the conscious mind’s responsibility to take care of the body. If we are inactive, drink too much alcohol or soda, and feed our bodies with fast/junk food, then the body will put on weight and start to deteriorate. If we know this, and choose to eat and drink things that are bad for us anyway, would that then be considered slow suicide?
It doesn’t matter whether we are trying to keep the body healthy or fighting a degenerative disease, we have to look at it on a cellular level. Every ailment, pain and disease starts at our cells. From migraines to joint pain to cancer, if you work to take care of your cells, you can be healthy.
Cellular health is relatively simple. Our bodies are made up of 100 trillion of them. Believe it or not, about 20 billion free radicals per day attack each of these cells. Free radicals are created when molecules go through an oxidation process. This can be from within the body from natural causes like cellular “exhaust” or from external sources like toxins and food. Sources of dietary free radicals are the high-fat, processed, preserved, pesticide-laden, chemically treated foods that we all enjoy. Chemicals from our environment such as chlorine, carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, etc., are also responsible. Radiation from the sun, electromagnetic fields and medical x-rays can also contribute. When free radicals are allowed to attack a cell, they can damage the membranes that protect the nucleus, mitochondria, lysomes and the cell itself. These membranes are primarily made up of fat molecules, which is why we need to be taking our Omega 3, 6 & 9 supplement. If free radicals get to the nucleus, they can damage the DNA causing mutation of the cell and cancer.
Antioxidants are the saviors that neutralize free radicals, protecting the cells. So it makes sense that our goal should be to avoid as many free radicals as possible and take in as many antioxidants as we can. The good news is that our cells are constantly renewing themselves in three ways. The first, PROTECTION, is the work of antioxidants. Next is, REPAIR, to keep up with those 20 billion hits a day. If your cells fall behind in repair, the aging process accelerates and disease develops. Luckily, our bodies are adept at this given the right nutrients. Finally, when those fail and the cell dies, it is up to REGENERATION. Cells divide all the time and have no problem as long as the DNA damage is not too great and the necessary nutrient building blocks are in place.
So if we want to avoid disease, stay healthy and live long, it is a matter of taking care of our cells. That means eating foods that increase the antioxidants and avoiding foods and toxins that increase our free radicals. It is too bad that it has to be such a lifestyle change, but it will change your life. “To your health!”
Often, I pass along your information to others I love who would benefit (if they choose).