Aside from genetic predisposition for certain diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, or cancer, the following are the major reasons we get sick:
Inadequate Nutrition/Unhealthy Food
Research has demonstrated that a diet deficient in the right combination or amounts of specific nutrients can cause almost every kind of disease or condition: Low blood lecithin can cause coronary thrombosis. Mild deficiency in B12 can cause migraines, shortness of breath, eye twitch or facial pain; extreme deficiency in this vitamin can produce mental sluggishness, coma, and even death. (Conversely, making the diet adequate in all respects and/or increasing the intake of a specific nutrient can cure certain diseases. For example, mega doses of vitamin C have been know to cure phlebitis). Research into antioxidants, such as found in fruits, berries and vegetables have shown their importance in combating free radicals that damage cells that can lead to cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Bad eating habits over time can lead to nutritional deficiencies and set us up for illness.
Junk foods with little or no nutritional value, especially those loaded with sugar, salts and fats fill the stomach but do not nourish the body, leaving it more and more susceptible to deficiencies and disease. Eating a consistently balanced diet nourishes the organs and the immune system and promotes their normal function to prevent disease and keep us healthy. Eating haphazardly and ignoring the basic tenets of sound nutrition sets us up for illness.
Stress
Allowing stress, whether from anxiety, overexertion or any other reason for long periods of time does literal damage to our physical bodies (at the very cellular and organ levels). The body will repair itself and prevent disease while it is adequately nourished. During continual stress, however, the body requires an increased amount of nutrients, often insufficiently supplied. Under such circumstances the body becomes susceptible to hypertension, ulcers, infections, heart disease, colitis and diabetes, among other diseases and conditions.
Lack of Sleep/Rest
The body needs adequate rest to refresh itself. A lack of restful sleep can cause depleted energy, depression, irritability, weight gain, as well as lack of attention and accidents. Not getting enough rest prevents the body from properly removing toxins from tired muscles and tissues; this allows toxins to pollute the organs and bloodstream, eventually preventing the immune system from functioning with full efficiency. In addition, chronic sleep disorders can have serious consequences and have been linked to heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), psychiatric and mood disorders, as well as fetus, infant, and child under-development.
Exercise
Lack of exercise can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Regular exercise can help prevent these conditions, as well as help maintain a healthy weight, help build stronger bones, muscles and joints, reduce anxiety and depression and promote a feeling of well-being. Exercise also helps remove toxins and waste products through sweat and urine; it helps get rid of infectious bacteria and viruses by promoting blood flow and by strengthening the immune system; exercise also helps reduce stress and the effects of stress that may make us susceptible to infectious and other diseases.
Lack of Water
Dehydration causes all manner of conditions and diseases, everything from arthritic pain, angina, pain in the gut or colitis, migraines, dizziness, mental confusion, high blood pressure (the body working harder to pump water into the cells for lack of water), adult-onset diabetes, heartburn, constipation, and other conditions, culminating in death. (Soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice or alcohol, including beer, cannot take the place of water, in fact, these can be diuretic in nature and can cause loss of water through urine). In addition, insufficient water intake can hinder the shedding of fat, since the body requires water to burn fat.
Personal Hygiene and Proper Elimination
Cleanliness helps keep the germs away. Washing hands and regular bathing eliminates the microbes that can potentially infect us. Intestinal health is also of utmost importance. Proper and regular elimination prevents toxic waste build-up and re-absorption of toxins; also, keeps valuable intestinal bacteria healthy.
Bad Choices
Smoking, using drugs, indiscriminate and unsafe sex, alcoholism, overeating are choices we make to our downfall; they are choices we can also unmake, that is, we can change our lifestyles for the betterment of our health.
Keeping in mind the major reasons we get sick and practicing the principles of health can help us stay disease free!
