A Healthy Body

Your body is perhaps the most complex organism on planet Earth.  It is made up of billions of microscopic parts, each working together in an organized fashion that allows the total being to function. How well each of those parts work together might define how healthy the body is.

The Wikipedia Encyclopedia defines “Health” as the level of functional and/or metabolic efficiency of an organism at both the micro(cellular) and macro(social) level. In the medical field, health is commonly defined as an organism’s ability to efficiently respond to challenges (stressors) and effectively restore and sustain a “state of balance,” known as homeostasis.

It is through maintaining or improving the efficiency of our body and keeping its various systems in balance that health is maintained.  While science and the practice of medicine is important to our health, perhaps the most important factors are impacted through individual effort.  Activities such as fitness training, weight loss, a healthy diet, stress managment and quitting smoking are examples of things you can do to improve your health.

Your are in control of your own life and fitness.
It should be one of your top priorities to take care of your body. After all, you only have ONE body and when it’s gone… it’s gone.  It is, therefore, important that you take responsibility for your health and begin to make informed decisions about your healthcare. 

The mission of the Whole Body Journal is to provide you resources to improve your health and to empower you to make more healthy lifestyle choices.  As you become better informed about health issues related to your body and gain access to resources to improve your health, you will be empowered to make the choices necessary to improve your overall quality of life. 

The Absence of Health
A disease condition is when an organism within the body is functioning abnormally or imparing other bodily functions.  In the broader sense, ”disease” is often used to refer to any condition that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, and/or death to the person afflicted.

It’s been estimated that more than 50% of us die from cardiovascular disease.  One third of us develop cancer and an increasing percentage of us suffer from life threatening infectious diseases.  In addition, most Americans have weakened immune systems that leave us vulnerable to debilitating, avoidable infections.  These conditions are all preventable when you take an active role in your body’s health.