By Kayode Oseni
We all agree that we want to be at ease, all the time, or at least most of the time. Alright then, let’s see how to achieve that. I postulated that maintaining harmony within our body is the surest way to being at ease and enjoying good health. How are we supposed to maintain the necessary harmony?
I’m sure that we have all heard about homeostasis. A bit mouthful, right? Okay, let’s chew on it, to break it down. The body itself has a way of maintaining balance in its affairs. It balances acid/ alkaline content, water levels, hormones, and blood components. All these balancing works is what is called homeostasis.
Now that we know that our body is made to balance up its affairs, what then do we still need to do in that respect? Nothing!
We only need to get out of our body’s way of doing its job of maintaining balance or harmony. How do we get in the body’s way?
All that the body needs is fresh air, good food, good water, regular exercise, good sleep, and good emotions. But we often deny the body just these necessities
Not just that, we always feed the body with junk, which the body doesn’t recognize as food. When the body signals to us that it needs water, what do we give it? Teas, sodas, coffee, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. The thirst may be quenched by all those kinds of stuff, but the body is still starved of water. Yes, the body is still in need of water!
The body, being a unique system comprised of many systems, has the mandate to maintain balance. So it is equipped with various means to take water from some organs (that don’t need much water) to give to organs that need much water to perform optimally.
You see how we are giving our bodies so much stress, by not drinking enough water?
Wait. Someone is whispering that it isn’t such things as not drinking enough water that causes havoc, that it is the presence of germs in our body. Oh, is that true? Okay, let’s give germs some thought. Germs are microscopic organisms that can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. They can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa. They do cause illnesses or diseases such as the common cold, flu, or more severe conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Yes, all germs are very bad, right? Wrong! Some germs are actually needed in the body for the body to maintain harmony between the organs. Such germs are called beneficial germs. Yes, you read me correctly, they are good and body-friendly germs. The body recognizes this fact and keeps some organs separate as a reservoir of good germs. The appendix is one such. So you see, you can’t blame every disease on germs alone. We are supposed to help the body to do its normal work by ensuring that the beneficial germs are always in supply while we keep away from all the bad germs.
How do we keep away from bad germs? Germs can spread through direct contact with an infected person, airborne droplets, contaminated surfaces, or vectors like insects. Good hygiene practices, such as hand washing and proper sanitation, are effective in reducing the transmission of germs.
What about the good germs, how do we get them? Oh, we must eat them. Our gut is a factory for producing these good germs. They are produced within our guts when we digest the foods rich in fibers (both soluble and insoluble fibers) that we consume.
These foods are called probiotics and prebiotics.
Let’s take it all in, slowly. Refined foods are not good for our bodies because the natural fibers in them had been removed.
But why did they remove them? So that the food will look more appealing, taste better and stay longer on the shelves. Who do all those things help? Perhaps only the food processing companies. Definitely not our bodies.
I need to go take some unsweetened yogurt. That is one way of getting probiotics that will increase the population of the good germs inside my intestines.
Next time, we will consider some other ways we can help our body to maintain the necessary balance and harmony.
- Prof. Maruf Kayode Oseni is a Faculty member of African American University, Porto Novo, Republic of Benin; Dean of the Department of Naturopathy, Cyrillic College of Holistic Health Technology, Igbeba, Ijebu Ode; and the CEO, Founder, and Consultant, Alayo Health Services Centre, Car Wash Area, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
