Seven Things Necessary For Good Health In Today's World

     Being a natural health advocate I seem to get a lot of advertisements in the mail promoting this product or that as being the answer for various health problems. I also see, from time to time, postings regarding various herbs or vitamins, etc. that promote health as well. But the thing that is ignored is the fact that if your digestive system is weak the benefits of these herbs will be either reduced greatly or they will have no benefit at all. So, I'm going to give you seven things that are necessary for good health in today's world, especially in the United States.

     #1. Enzymes- Most people, especially people over age 30, or so, have weakened a digestive system because the production of Hydrochloric Acid gradually diminishes. Food is not chewed correctly most of the time and digestion begins with the chewing process. Actually the process begins with sight and smell when the mouth begins to water, but mastication (chewing) is when the enzymes begin their work. So, beginning with sight and smell, then through mastication, on to the stomach where enzymes do their work, and then finally into the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine) where the gall bladder and pancreas secrete enzymes to further the process of absorption. People hardly ever eat a meal without a cold drink to wash food down so whatever digestion is taking place is dampened down. Most people don't eat raw foods so the active enzymes are cooked out of the food. So, when those vitamins and herbs are consumed they tend to be of little benefit. It is NOT the fault of the vitamin or herb, but of a failing digestive system. So, what to do?

    Digestive Enzymes are the answer! Because of the failing digestive system, even of young children, in today's world, digestive enzymes are needed. Enzymes break down food and there are enzymes that break down proteins, enzymes that break down fats, enzymes that break down carbohydrates, enzymes that break down plant material, and so forth. Often these will end with the suffix -ace, such as Lipase (for fats) or protease (for proteins). I recommend a product that includes several of these for a full spectrum of digestive helps. In this way when you take your supplement, whatever it is, you can be confident it's being absorbed so it can do its work! Let me say again, if this process is not efficient then you can take as many supplements as you want and you'll basically be filling your sewer!

   #2. Minerals- One of the sad things that is happening in the United States is that our government, through regulations and the influences of multi-millionaires and other big business influence peddlers, are squeezing out the small farmers. This means that large farming operations and big business are using, not only GMO's and toxic additives to our foods, but they have been depleting the soil of its mineral content. So, that vegetable that your grand parents consumed, either home grown or purchased from a farmer's market, had far more nutritional value than that which you buy from your grocery shelves today. So, not only are you having to deal with those genetically modified foods but you're dealing with toxins from pesticides as well, add to that the lack of nutrients, and you will find that you are not getting enough necessary minerals to gain optimum health. So, what to do?

Colloidal Minerals

   Mineral supplements is the answer! Most people, providing they are digesting properly, really do get most of the Vitamins necessary for life, but most of us are not getting enough minerals. Supplements are available which can provide the necessary minerals we need for optimum health. There are reputable sources from which to purchase these supplements. I have understood that a combination of Alfalfa, Kelp, and Yellow Dock, and Dandelion can provide most of what we need.

    #3. Probriotics- Another very sad thing that has happened in our society is the promotion and use of antibiotics and other medicines that deplete the healthy flora in the intestines. When that flora is killed off we lose protection of the immune system, we become candidates for "leaky gut syndrome", we open ourselves for all kinds of disease because we have been systematically defeating ourselves through the use of pharmaceuticals. If you are a person who uses Nsaids often, if you have used antibiotics, and if you have been a meat eater that contains antibiotics and other treatments, you probably need a probriotic. Things like real fermented sauerkraut and yogurt have natural occurring probriotics but most people just don't eat enough naturally fermented sauerkraut, and the stuff you buy out of the can is not naturally fermented. So, what to do?    

     Probriotics come in various forms. Regardless of the form in which you get them, everybody needs them! I would look for a probriotic that contains several different families of healthy bacteria. I have seen acne clear up after a month of probriotic use. Other skin conditions and health concerns like sinus problems have been relieved through the use of probriotics in my experience.

    #4. Fiber- Our American diet is sorely lacking in good fiber. Fiber is necessary for intestinal peristalsis to do its work well. There are a lot of people walking around with three, four, or even five pounds of material stuck in their intestines! This is partially due to the lack of good flora in the intestines but it is equally true of the lack of fiber. Fiber helps to remove this material out of the body but it also helps remove the toxins this material carries. We can get this fiber through fruits, vegetables, and grains but I recommend the use of ground flax seed on a daily basis. It can be put in a drink or sprinkled in your salads. I even sprinkle it on scrabbled eggs. In any case, it aids the intestines in removing left over materials. It is also a good source of Omega 3. One of the biggest reasons we have dis-ease is that we don't eat enough fiber. You're just not going to get it in your hamburger and fries! You're not going to get it in you pizza and you're certainly not going to get it in your refined pasta.

    #5. Water- I won't spend much time here but most people simply don't drink water. Even coffee and tea won't do, alone. I know lots of people who drink canned or bottled substances like energy drinks or soda's. These people are doing great harm to themselves. Your body needs water, and if you want optimum health water is necessary. Water is necessary to every body system. The average person is about 70% water with a greater number in youth and a lesser number in old age. The lack of water can result in fatigue, muscle aches, low muscle tone, poor digestion, poor peristalsis, organ function and a host of other conditions that most people never think about. Of course you want to get your water from a healthy source and definitely don't drink treated water or tap water (unless it's from a clean well). Chemicals found in treated water like chlorine or bromine will set you up for a host of problems including plaque build up in your arteries. It is NOT the cholesterol that damages your arteries it is inflammation and scarring from things like chlorine that causes the damage. The cholesterol is just the body attempting to "fix the pot holes".

    So, water, good water, is necessary. A couple of times I have run across people who tell me they cannot drink water without throwing up. These are exceptional cases and I usually have them try some lemon or apple cidar vinegar to it. Sometimes this helps.     

     #6. Exercise- Exercise is important for a number of reasons. It helps the body's lymph system to do its work. It causes us to sweat which helps remove toxins from our bodies. It works the heart and circulatory system. It helps in digestion and it tones muscle. These are just a few reasons exercise is important. I have found that exercise helps me to control blood sugar. Exercise aids oxygen in getting into the cells and can help with depression and memory loss. It doesn't have to be a lot but it does have to be regular. They say it takes about 21 days to adopt a habit so try it, you might like it!

    #7 Sleep and Relaxation- We live in a very stressful society so we need relaxation. We need to take time to wind down. Finding an enjoyable hobby, prayer, meditation, relaxing baths or any number of things that don't cause more stress. You're not going to relieve stress going to a football game or hockey game! Don't equate fun and relaxation. I like to relax by playing one of my instruments or listening to relaxing music. Even piddling around in the garden is relaxing to me or sitting out on the ice waiting for a fish to come along. We are individuals and relaxation is unique to each of us.   

    Sleep is necessary for good health. Most healing takes place during sleep. Most adults need about 8 hours of sleep per night. If you are suffering from sleep disorder it is important that you deal with it. It has been said that every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after and I believe it. We were designed to go to been at dark and arise at dawn. That's the way it's supposed to be and any time we neglect that design we are doing ourselves a disfavor!

    CONCLUSION: I could go on and talk about the importance of Omega 3's in our diets or why we should do an occasional liver cleanse, but for now, I just leave you with these seven things. If you will attempt to correct these 7 things I am convinced you will see improvement in the way you feel, your health, and your vitality.