Health is a condition of overall good health where infirmity and illness are not present. It comprises the basic conditions required to live, work, play and enjoy life. Health involves the body’s various organs, glands and tissues, the environment and the entire process that enable life to function and grow.
Medical research is constantly trying to improve the standard of health and cure diseases and disability by improving the quality of our health and living a long healthy life. Research has shown that the more we live a healthy life, the longer we will live and vice versa. Health professionals have also determined that people who live longer have generally lower incidences of disease and disability. Thus, living a healthy life is necessary to prevent diseases and to help the elderly in maintaining their health.
Healthy living means being well balanced, having a strong, flexible and supportive immune system, avoiding infections, strengthening the digestive system, and having adequate sleep, nutrition and exercise. Having a healthy immune system is very important in keeping us healthy. The human body needs nutrients to function properly and maintain its proper functioning. It can be said that all living things require nourishment and therefore it is vital for the body to get nutrients. The nutrients in food are broken down into their constituent parts, such as the amino acids and their essential vitamins and minerals.
When the body’s ability to absorb these nutrients is low, the body will need more energy to continue with its normal functioning. The body’s immune system is used to eliminate bacteria, viruses and parasites from the body and prevents the onset of disease.
Healthy living also involves the maintenance of our body’s ability to produce the necessary hormones, and other chemicals and substances needed to maintain its normal functioning. The liver, kidney and the pancreas all perform an important role in regulating these chemical substances.
Body weight is one of the factors that influences the quality of health and should be taken into consideration. A person with a healthy weight is less likely to suffer from illness and have high blood pressure than a person who weighs more.
Many health issues can lead to problems in the digestive system. Gastric problems, intestinal infections and irritable bowel syndrome are some of the common ailments related to the digestive system. A poor digestion system can be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle such as eating poor foods, using the wrong medications, or not having enough fluids. These factors can contribute to an improper functioning digestive system and eventually lead to digestive problems.
Proper nutrition can be defined as having the proper nutrients in your body and not becoming deficient. Having the right amount of nutrients is not enough; a healthy body should also have the ability to metabolize these nutrients. in the right manner in order for the body to function properly.
A proper digestive system can be maintained by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, not over-consuming any food items, getting plenty of rest, avoiding spicy foods and not smoking. Eating a healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables is very important in maintaining a healthy digestive system.