The body adapts and will undergo whatever changes necessary to survive and function. An essential component in that process is how each of our organs function and regulate to the demands of the body. I would like to explain without causing offense, that none of our systems are firing and functioning properly. Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, Reproductive & Neurological.
It is impossible at this point to say we are at optimal health, with demanding jobs, hectic schedules and minimal time to exercise, combined with the standard american diet, I think it is far to say our systems are out of wack. I have met few people who described or lived an optimal state of health.
Prostaglandin
A Prostglandin is a compound, lipid substance made by many organs in your body. They are sent to work to respond to injury, assist with blood clotting and trigger inflammation. All of this done to protect the body, when damage has occured to try and stop and repair the injury.
What raises levels of Prostaglandin, and why does it matter? When the body is under attack and responding with Prostaglandins in response, it can cause long term damage. It sounds odd to think that something that helps protect us, can also severely hurt and damage us. Life seems to work that way, for reasons understood by few.
How does this happen?
You spend a weekend out with friends binge drinking alcohol, eating greasy foods, pulling an all nighter and rushing to work the next morning, or somewhere along the way have a fight with a friend, check the depressing news and the cycle repeats. What does all of this cause? stress to the body. Or you have a high stress job, no time to exercise and financial stress, to cope with all of this you take up smoking and caffeine habit. The body is under attack, all of the systems and organs are releasing Prostaglandin, a compound to fight off the injury, what they perceive as threat and injury. You already know from the hangover, tightness in your chest, bags under your eyes, lack of sleep, low mood or angry outbursts that something is wrong, the body is showing you the symptoms. But what we fail to see is the work being done underneath, high levels of prostaglandin which are being sent to help, are also contributing to increased allergies, fever, swelling, pain, redness, chronic pain, arthritis and high prostaglandin levels are linked to various cancers and the development of cancer cells. High prostaglandin levels also force contraction of the uterus, and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. This could perhaps be one of the contributing factors related to high incidences of miscarriages in young women, more commonly seen than ever before and many gastrointestinal related disorders such as diarrhea and crohns.
Overall it is important to understand the body is doing the best it can, but it needs your help. We have been given the tools already to survive and flourish, but you can not expect that our current lifestyles are not throwing the entire system out of wack. The Prostaglandins are there to help to respond and assist with many important bodily functions, such as regulating gut bacteria, assisting with blood clotting and helping to repair damaged tissue. We need to understand that in order for the process to work when its supposed to, we can not add more stress to the system. We need the prostaglandin for when it is time to attack and fight off a cold, repair tissue that is naturally becomes damaged with age and regulate bad gut bacteria.
What can you do to lower your prostaglandin level?
Exercise
Decrease Alochol Intake
Minimize intake of red meat, dairy and gluten
Quit smoking
Reduce stressors related to work, relationships
Do a yearly detox
Educate yourself about what you are putting inside your body, research and understand the processes that are going on INSIDE your body. shift the focus from the external demands and understand your body wants to work with you, not against you!
Oleanders Wellness 