The human body is a complex, highly organized structure made up of unique cells that work together to accomplish the specific functions necessary for sustaining life. The biology of the human body includes structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). Physiology is discussed in greater detail in the first chapter of each section of this book.
Anatomy is organized by levels, from the smallest components of cells to the largest organs and their relationships to other organs. Gross anatomy is the study of the body's organs as seen with the naked eye during visual inspection and when the body is cut open for examination (dissection). Cellular anatomy is the study of cells and their components, which can be observed only with the use of special techniques and special instruments such as microscopes. Molecular anatomy (often called molecular biology) is the study of the smallest components of cells at the biochemical level.
The Need for Cellular Nutrition
There are around 63 million cells in a human body. As we grow older and older, some of our cells begin to wear out due to accumulation of toxins and poor nutrition. For some people it happens faster and for some people it happens slower. The latter feel healthy for a long time.
Quality nutrition may indeed be a key component of a lifestyle program that helps maintain health and decreases the risk of chronic degenerative disease.
It is important to eat right, exercise, get regular sleep, reduce stress and exposure to toxic substance. However, medical doctors have not been taught to recommend nutritional supplements to their patients. Medical education has focused on the diagnosis and treatment of disease with drugs and surgery, and there is certainly a place for medications. There are several medications that have saved lives after disease has struck. However, if we take precautions, change our lifestyles, take quality supplement, we can greatly reduce the risk of getting a chronic degenerative disease and dying prematurely.
Reasons why regular diets fail:
Problem #1 = Our mindset on the Quick Fix
People often act only when they get into problems. Immediately they go to a Doctor, get some medicines and forget about the cause of the problem. They think the problem is “fixed” once for all and they return to their previous activities. This is NOT the right attitude.
Solution: Permanent lifestyle changes are needed to achieve sustained health and management. This does not mean a permanent diet. This simply means awareness, “resetting your body” to enjoy healthy foods, losing the cravings for high-glycemic carbohydrates, and modest regular exercise.
Problem #2 = Unbalanced Nutrition
Too often, diets focus on specific types of foods or nutrients, e.g., all protein or fat, and disregard the importance of everything else, leading to unbalanced nutrition. This is very unhealthy for the body, and is not a permanent solution to the problem. It may get you fit for the current situation but don’t you want to look and feel your best all the time?
Solution: For optimal nutrition, our bodies need a balanced variety of nutrients, including the right types (low-glycemic) of carbohydrates, proteins, and the good fats, the essential fatty acids.
Problem #3 = The High-Glycemic Carbohydrate Trap
Eating high-glycemic carbohydrates (foods that spike your blood sugar and insulin) can sabotage even the best of diet plans because the resulting sugar and insulin spikes and subsequent drop in blood sugar (rebound hypoglycemia) leads to a more rapid return to feelings of anxiety, irritability, and worst of all, hunger! Since you are hungry, you will again crave starchy, high-glycemic foods for another quick fix, repeating the patterns, each go around accumulating more and more fat. This is the quickest way to obesity, and the number one reason for the obesity, especially among our children. We are slowly killing our children with soda pop, snack foods, crackers, white bread and buns, French fries, ice cream and shakes. Thirty-three to 50% of our children will develop obesity and type 2 diabetes, and most of those will eventually develop heart disease …unless we stop it now!* You have to be the example, AND you should be the ones to parent your children. If you don't, who will?
Solution: A better approach focuses on low-glycemic carbohydrates, which releases sugar into your blood stream slowly, reducing carbohydrate cravings, and leaving you feeling satisfied longer. Since you are not “starving” you are able to make healthier food choices. Steady blood sugar level is the definition of glycemic control, and this is obtained through proper exercise and low-glycemic carbohydrates and a well-balanced diet. This is NOT just about looking good, but it is about lifelong health and longevity, and an improved quality of life for you and your family!
MICRONUTRIENTS and MACRONUTRIENTS
First, you should understand the difference between micronutrients and macronutrients. Micronutrients are simply vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other phytochemicals (plant-based nutrients). Macronutrients are the basic food groups of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Obviously, macronutrients are made up of micronutrients, and it is the right combination of micronutrients that makes all the difference in the world for healthy weight management.
It is vitally important that your diet includes the right types of each class of macronutrients. The right carbohydrates are either complex carbohydrates or fiber, with a low-glycemic index. Complex carbohydrates and fiber generally supply additional healthy trace elements and phytonutrients, as well as energy. A healthy diet includes a variety of protein sources including proteins, which contain all of the essential amino acids.
Beneficial fats are high in essential fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids. No more than 10% of your total daily calories should be derived from saturated fat.
Why do we need Nutritional Supplements?
Medical studies show that oxidation of LDL cholesterol and oxidation of the arterial walls by elevated homocysteine levels is the primary cause of atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease, and more importantly, nutritional supplements may do more to promote heart and vascular health than taking cholesterol-lowering stating drugs.
Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and many other chronic degenerative diseases, including the acceleration of the aging process (which has some relativity with the diseases too) are all related by one common denominator, ....excessive oxidative damage to cells, DNA, cholesterol, and tissues.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are responsible for oxidative damage, and can protect cells and cellular structures from damage. Cells are protected, and can then repair themselves, and function more normally. Healthy cells are by definition not diseased cells. An example of a diseased cell would be a cancerous cell. Cancerous cells arise in our bodies on a regular basis, but the immune system is constantly searching for abnormal cells removing damaged and cancerous cells. When the immune system is not functioning well cancer cells can run rampant in the body and develop into a diagnosable disease. Medical studies show an association between vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the essential fatty acids and a decreased incidence of certain types of cancer. Do NOT confuse this that if you take nutritional supplements that you will never get cancer. There is no such guarantee. Nutritional supplemental are not a treatment, nor a cure for chronic diseases or cancer; they are used along with a healthy lifestyle to promote health.
