There is no universally agreed definition of health. Its
meaning has changed through the ages and in different
cultures. The term derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "haelth,"
meaning safe, sound or whole. In medieval times "haelthing"
meant "sharing a few drinks with one's friends,"
having previously meant "hello" and
"holiness." In recent decades, health has been taken
to mean "the absence of disease." The term
"disease" generally refers to a diagnosable physical
abnormality while "illness" means the personal
experience of sickness, or the perceived suffering due to a
disease.
Changing views of health
Since the mid-1900s, medical practice has been dominated by a
biomedical model that focuses more on curing than preventing
illness, dividing diseases into categories -- for example,
targeting a "cirrhotic liver" or "ischemic
heart" for treatment. This method tends to separate
physical from psychological or emotional problems, which are
sometimes dismissed as "all in the head," not
meriting medical attention. However, views of health are
undergoing radical changes. The absence-of-disease concept is
being supplanted by an image of "well being for body,
spirit and mind." The emerging bio-psychosocial model
regards mind and body as an intertwined unit and suggests that
people be treated as whole persons, taking into account
economic, social and psychological factors.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as
a "state of complete physical, mental and social well
being, encompassing the ability to achieve full potential,
deal with crises and meet environmental challenges." In
other words, health -- or wellness, to use a trendy term -- is
the capacity to undertake physical effort, to live within
one's own potential and carry out tasks with vigour and
alertness, leaving enough energy for unforeseen emergencies.
The more recent Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion goes
further, suggesting as fundamentals for health: "peace,
shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem,
sustainable resources, social justice and equity." For
example, people can't easily stay healthy if they're starving,
if the air is polluted or during wartime.
Today's key buzz words are “disease prevention” and
“health promotion”, rather than trying to “treat the
symptoms of illnesses” (as is practiced by most medical
practitioners nowadays) that are largely preventable.
Unfortunately, despite lip service, prevention is often a hard
sell as it takes both personal and community action. Yet
studies show that even a few words of advice from health
professionals can often help to prevent disease by motivating
people to modify their lifestyle.
Many of us are the "worried well"
Although North Americans have an increasing life expectancy,
many worry unduly about health. As U.S. physician Dr. Arthur
Barsky writes in his book Worried Sick: "Our sense of
physical well being has not kept pace with improvements in our
collective health status...there is a pervasive atmosphere of
dis-ease." Many feel constantly "out of sorts"
-- with vague undiagnosable ailments -- worriedly scrutinizing
everyday actions for their health effects. For example, foods
may be dubbed "good" (life-prolonging) or
"bad" (health-harming) – instead of being regarded
as enjoyable nourishment. Many are confused, even stressed, by
trying to keep up with the latest medical pronouncements --
eat margarine instead of butter (or not); drink red wine (one
glass or two?); take antioxidants – vitamins C and E (or
don't); shun coffee, drink decaff (or what?).
The main determinants of good health
Biology – the genetic make-up (genes inherited from mother
and father).
Lifestyle habits – such as a nutritious low-fat diet; enough
exercise; sufficient, sound sleep; avoiding misuse of tobacco,
alcohol and other drugs; motor-vehicle and traffic safety;
healthy (safer) sexual practices; and stress-reduction.
Emotional balance – good self-esteem, feeling "in
control" and able to forge intimate relationships.
Economic and social well being – sufficient income for food
and shelter; supportive networks (family, friends,
colleagues).
A health-promoting environment – e.g., not excessively
polluted, clean air and water, adequate sewage disposal.
Access to adequate medical care when needed.
Measuring health
Since the WHO definition of health came out, many have tried
to measure its components, which isn't easy. By definition,
people in "good health" have no diagnosable
diseases, no significant symptoms of "dis-ease"
(un-wellness), feel "in control" of their lives, are
energetic, satisfied with their social, sexual, occupational
and personal existence. But even those with diagnosable
diseases such as colitis or diabetes, may also feel well most
of the time. Or older people with osteoporosis or
atherosclerosis may consider themselves “in excellent health
for their age."
Take as a further example a man who inherited a polycystic
kidney disease that destroyed both kidneys by midlife. Even
though he requires thrice-weekly dialysis (after two failed
kidney transplants), he nonetheless enjoys a "healthy
existence" in which he swims three times a week, walks to
work and leads an active professional life. Similarly, a bank
employee considers herself "healthy" even though she
lost one breast to cancer 15 years ago, and suffers from
carpal tunnel syndrome (pinched wrist nerve), for which she
wears a splint at night. In contrast, we all know people with
no physical disorders who complain about every little ache or
transient pain.
Just being fit isn't enough!
In search of good health and longevity, many North Americans
devote endless time and effort to fitness. They
conscientiously jog, do aerobics, spend time on exercise
bicycles, restrict cholesterol intake, avoid aluminum cookware
and get medical checkups. Beyond its health benefits, some
even view fitness as a way to ennoble the soul, sometimes
neglecting family and friends in the effort. Fitness may
become an end in itself rather than a way to enhance personal
and professional life. Yet the Ottawa Charter specifically
states that "health is a means rather than an end in
itself -- not the object of living."
As one University of Toronto expert puts it, "just being
fit isn't it!" Although physical fitness -- muscular
strength and flexibility -- is a prerequisite for well being,
fitness alone does not guarantee good health. Being physically
fit when mentally unbalanced, "stressed out,"
socially isolated or emotionally disturbed does not add up to
good health. Obsessive fitness addicts may consider the
slightest tinge of un-wellness a slur on their character,
making them feel guilty. Yet this kind of "blame the
victim" mentality is unhealthy. It is absurd to expect
that all illness can be avoided simply by one's own efforts.
The meaning and definition of “good health” has changed
through the ages. Perhaps the best method of “knowing your
health status” is being acutely aware of your own body, its
functions and functional abberrations. So what am I talking
about here?
I’m referring particularly to
• how you feel
• how often you have a bowel movement
• how often you urinate
• how often you feel bloated or gassy after eating
• what foods trigger your bloated or gassy feeling
• what hurts
• is that hurt “chronic” or “new”
Light-headedness could be a symptom of high blood pressure.
Pain in a new and unexpected place could be a sign of a
bruise, muscle strain, unknown injury, or an unknown infection
of some kind. Shingles or easy bruising could be a sign of a
lack of vitamin C in your diet. Many other little things about
you and your body could be early indications of injury or
disease. So….how aware are you of what your body is telling
you every day?
My body type is literally grossly obese. I know I am “at
risk” for many illnesses and for many injuries simply
because of my body type. I am about 100 lbs overweight and it
began when I was 25 years old. I’m now nearing 70. I would
probably be a lot healthier if I were to lose 50 to 75 pounds.
I know this, yet I continue not to heed it. My blood chemistry
is “normal” – I have no major blood chemistry problems.
My blood pressure is generally 135 / 75-80. I have a 54-inch
waist yet I can bend over and touch my knuckles on the floor
in front of my toes. I can still do 50 situps in under two
minutes. I regularly walk 2 miles a day minimum and about 5-6
miles when I play a round of golf – and I walk for the golf,
rather than ride in a cart. So I try to take pretty good care
of myself.
Over the years I have learned a few things about my own body
and health, how I react to certain foods and food supplements.
This does not say anything about how you will react to these
things….only that you need to be aware of what your body is
doing and what your body is telling you about why it is doing
those things.
For example, I love salads, especially green salads. And they
give me loads of gas and bloating. I know this, so I try to
eat a small salad at least once a day. It’s only when I get
carried away and have a large salad, or second helping, that I
get bloated and gassy.
I have an allergic reaction to all artificial sweeteners, such
as aspartame. Prolonged use, say 1 cup of artificially
sweetened international coffee or 1 diet soda a day for a
month, will raise my blood pressure above 150.
I have a similar reaction to prolonged use (two weeks
or more) of all vitamins except Vitamins C and E. I have a
very bad physical reaction to several prescription medications
and food supplements, which include tetracycline, biocyllin
and amino acids.
I used to get a Flu Shot every year – and I would get the
Flu 3 times a year. The first time was immediately after the
shot, the second time was 3 months after the shot and the
third time was 6 months after the shot. I documented this for
about 10 years and, after talking it over with my doctor, quit
taking flu shots. I now get the flu about once every 5 years
or less and it doesn’t make me as sick as it used to make
me.
The things I do, however, are the things that keep me healthy.
These are walking regularly and playing golf. They also
include taking 2000 units of Vitamin C daily for over 40
years, and taking 50 units each of both Zinc and Selenium once
a week. And about the middle of November every year I up the
Zinc and Selenium intake to 5-6 times a week.
I play Santa at a mall every Christmas season for 4-5 weeks,
and I come into contact with just about every disease and bug
known to man during that period. Yet I seldom get sick, and
when I do get sick I neither feel sick nor exhibit symptoms to
those around me. I attribute this to the Zinc and Selenium I
take. I’ve been taking these for 8 years now, and in that
time have only been sick once – and at that, no one around
me knew I was sick.
Each of us is different from one another; each of us must make
our own personal health assessment. We must learn to recognize
what our body is telling us about what is going on inside and
why, and we must also learn which preventatives work and which
don’t on an individual basis.
In this article I’m both sharing excellent general health
information and telling you what works for me, why, and what
doesn’t and why. It’s up to you to learn what works for
you and what doesn’t and why. And then to do whatever it
takes to maintain your health at optimum levels. Good luck and
good health.
Disclaimer:
This article in no way should be taken as “medical
advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor
does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing
any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure
for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a
source of information upon which you may base your decision as
to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral
and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a
“greens” product as a dietary supplement.
If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your
physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a
possible different opinion. The author does not bear any
responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your
actions based upon those decisions.
