Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?
Communication! It permeates our lives. We communicate for many reasons such as: 1) to get what we want, 2) to get rid of what we don't want, 3) to let people know how we feel, 4) to show people we care, 5) to work productively with co-workers, etc. As members of the human race we are fortunate to have various ways to communicate our needs and desires. We can talk, use body language, write our requests or key them into the computer.
But what would happen if we spoke one language and the intended receiver of our message spoke another language. Or perhaps we are speaking on the phone to a friend and static interfers so much that they only hear some of our words or we say one word and they hear it as a different word. Perhaps we are sending our message via computer but some of the keys are either missing or mixed up. That could cause some confusion, right? And the more static or more keys that are missing, the more confused the message is. On the other hand the better we can communicate with other people, the higher level we can function at.
Did you know that the same thing happens in our body? Our body is designed to function at an amazing level. When we think of how complicated our body is, of all the things that could go wrong, and of how much actually goes right without our even thinking about it, it is truly amazing. But why do things sometimes go wrong?
Our body is made up of various systems (circulatory, nervous, muscular, etc) that are made up of organs (heart, lungs, blood vessels) that are made up of cells. To understand the importance of communication in our body, let's take a look at what would happen if our body was a business.
If our body was a company, our systems would be the various departments in the company, our organs would be the teams of people working together within each department, and the cells would be each individual person within the teams. The individual people are the powerhouses of the company. If they are doing what they are supposed to do, when and how they are supposed to, and if they are communicating well to each other to get their individual needs met, then the team will work well. If the teams are working well and communicating so their needs are met, the department will work well. And if all departments are communicating and getting their needs met, the company is successful. But if communication brakes down at any level, it puts the success of the company in jeopardy.
Just as people power companies, our cells power our bodies. So what do our cells need and how do they communicate to each other? Let's look at their needs first. In order to work optimally our cells require nutrients which they use to produce energy and repair themselves. This process produces waste materials which they must eliminate. And they must identify themselves as to what kind of cells they are and if they are native to our body or if they are an intruder (virus, bad bacteria, etc). Each cell is covered with glycoproteins (much like a fuzzy ball). When our cells touch each other these glycoproteins pass messages from one cell to another. The glycoproteins are comprised of variations of 4 proteins and 8 essential sugars (also called carbohydrates or saccharides).
If all glycoproteins are completely formed (no missing sugars or proteins), the message gets passed along intact and the needs of the cell are satisfied. However, just like having static on the phone lines or missing keys on the computer keyboard; if something is missing from the glycoproteins, communication breaks down and the cell either doesn't get what it needs or is sabotaged by sending out a wrong message.
What happens if a cell doesn't get the nutrients it needs to produce energy or repair itself?
Oooh! Energy drain! Premature aging!
What happens if it's message to get rid of waste material is not understood?
Ouch! Toxin build-up! Yuck!
What if it is an invading virus but the body doesn't know it because of faulty cell communication?
Cold? Flu? Pneumonia? _____?
What if it is in fact a native cell that gives out a message that is interpreted by another cell that it is an invader?
Oh-oh! The macrophages are called in to eat it up pac-man style. If this happens frequently enough, we will eventually be diagnosed with one of the 85 known auto-immune diseases.
Wow! Did you have any idea how important each of your cells is (yes, all trillions of them). So how do we keep our cells communicating? It is in the glycoproteins. If our glycoproteins are complete and properly formed, our cells are happily sending and receiving the right messages. Highly functioning cells make highly functioning organs, which make highly functioning systems, which make a highly functioning body for us. The bottom line is getting the right nutrition so our cells can make complete and properly formed glycoproteins.
? Jan Barosh 2004. Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the following paragraph is included and contact information is provided to http://www.janbarosh.com
Jan Barosh's degree is in health and physical education with post- graduate work in exercise science and psychology. She is a licensed corporate wellness coach and a certified teleclass leader and has helped adults and children be more healthy and fit for over 25 years. Jan has developed a unique weight management program called LifeWeight? which is being taught in the US and licensed for distribution in the UK.
St John chicago limos ..The latest tallies show that over three million people in... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Fox River Grove limousine Chicago ..The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More
These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
The adrenal or "stress glands" are small, triangular shaped glands... Read More
I'd like to explain an important concept that most online... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More
Nutrition Nutrition |