By Kayode Oseni
So 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. It balances water levels. It balances hormones. It balances blood components. All these balancing works are what is called homeostasis.
Okay, 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 only 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 that 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 a 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 body 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 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 of such. So you see, you can’t blame every disease on germs alone.
We are supposed to help the body 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, effectively reduce 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 their natural fibers have 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 does all those things help? Perhaps only the food processing companies. 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 other ways to help our body maintain the necessary balance and harmony.
- Prof Kayode Oseni, a professor of Natural Medicine at the African American University, Porto Novo, Benin Republic, is the Chief Consultant of Alayo Health and Wellness Centre, Car Wash Area, Adatan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
