Pillars of Health

1. Diet to Nourish Organs
2. Exercise to support body systems
3. Appropriate Sleep
4. Stress Management
5. Limiting Environmental Effects

Nourish Your Organs

Your diet should consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. It should NOT focus on counting calories! What you eat should not be strictly about losing weight. There are plenty of unhealthy skinny people walking around. I know, I was one of them. However, while skinny does not equal healthy, healthy people are not obese or overweight. Thing is, when you focus on nourishing your organs the weight will come off automatically. 

Cleansing your liver, hydrating your kidneys, and oxygenating your cells are all part of having a healthy, fit body. Bet Jenny Craig never talked about that. 

Exercise to support body systems

Your body is composed of 11 body systems:

1. The Circulatory system circulates your blood around the body via the heart, arteries and veins, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs and cells and carrying their waste products away. It also keeps the body’s temperature in a safe range.
2. The Digestive system and Excretory systems absorb nutrients and remove waste via the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines. 
3. The Endocrine system influences the function of the body using hormones.
4. The Integumentary system / Exocrine system supports your skin, hair, nails, sweat and other exocrine glands
5. Your Immune system and lymphatic systems are important systems that defend the body against pathogens that may harm the body. The system comprising a network of lymphatic vessels that run throughout your entire body and carry a clear fluid called lymph. Unlike other body systems, the lymphatic system has to “manually” be stimulated to move toxins through the body. 
6. The Muscular system enables the body to move using muscles.
7. Your Nervous system collects and processes information from the senses via nerves and the brain and tells the muscles to contract to cause physical actions.
8. Renal and Urinary systems is where the kidneys filter blood to produce urine, and get rid of waste.
9. The Reproductive system protects your reproductive organs.
10. Your Respiratory system brings air into and out of the lungs to absorb oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
11. Skeletal system consists of your bones which must remain healthy to  maintain the structure of the body and its organs.

Exercise, just as healthy eating & lifestyle choices, should focus on supporting these various body systems. Exercise consists strength training, cardio and flexibility. The easiest way to keep up with a proper exercise regime is to make a routine but alternating workouts so you don’t get bored.

Appropriate Sleep

Sleep is important.

Sure, we already know that an adequate amount of sleep will make you less tired and more energetic the next day (if it was GOOD sleep). But your body does so many other things while you sleep, such as:

• Lowers blood presser
• Detoxes your organs
• Fights cancer
• Prevents Alzheimer’s and Dementia 

According to Sleep scientist, Matthew Walker, each person should strive for 8 hours of sleep each night.

Stress Management

Stress is the under-rated source of illness! Stress can make you sick and overweight. Stress can also be toxic. If you experienced traumatic stress as a child, those events are shown to have an effect on you as an adult. This is why learning to manage stress is of great importance. Stress can be managed through exercise, yoga, meditation, releasing emotions, changing expectations and time management.

Limiting Environmental Effects

There are about 100,000 chemicals used in our everyday products including cleaners and makeup. These chemicals lead to several health issues including cancer. Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US.

Whistleblowers are questioning the health effects of 5G internet. You have heard of the effects of lead poisoning in water in Detroit which will have ramifications for years to come. It is important to limit environmental effects as much as possible.

Many of these effects are out of our control however you do have control over chemicals you bring into your home and use on your body. Getting “clean” cleaning products, skin care and make-up are vital to being healthy and keeping toxins out of your organs and body systems.

There is no silver bullet for health. We must strive every day to support all of these areas in order to achieve and maintain optimal health. Broccoli for Breakfast is committed to providing you information and a plan to achiever your health goals in a manageable way! Keep educating yourself and set some daily goals for you and your family’s health!