The human body is made up of more than 35 trillion cells – that’s a lot! Similar to human life, individual cells are created to accomplish a specific purpose in our body. Once their mission is complete, the cell dies.
Every day, our body works to remove old, worn-out cells and replace them with fresh, energetic healthy cells. This is a natural process that helps us maintain overall health! Without the life and death cycles of weak and toxic cells, our body would not be able to thrive, protect and function the way we need it to. This life cycle is highly influenced by our diet.
Food as Nutritional Building Blocks
Certain foods that we eat can help build and repair cells to be even stronger than the previous generation. This is similar to the way our muscles break down when we don’t eat enough or don’t get adequate nutrients. Our cells are developed with the nutritional support of whole grains, vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and more.
These essential nutrients are what build the cell membrane, nucleus and mitochondria to make up one single cell. The tissues in our body are made up of cells that join together to bring to life our muscles, bones, brain, nerves, skin, etc.
The health and longevity of the cells in our body are based largely upon the quantity and quality of nutrients in the food we eat. That means it’s very important that we are highly conscious of the food we feed ourselves. A diet which lacks fiber, protein and healthy fats can cause our cells to become brittle, leaky and tired, and then keep them from functioning the way we need them to. When we keep producing malfunctioning cells, we begin to see numerous problems in our body such as inflammation, cancer and other diseases.
Foods that support the healthy development of cells include those rich in:
- Unsaturated Fats – Fish, nuts, avocados, olive oil/sunflower oil/canola oil, Flax seed
- Protein – Chicken, lean beef, yogurt, seeds, beans, turkey, eggs
- Antioxidants – Grapes, blueberries, dark chocolate, dark green veggies, sweet potatoes, tea
Conclusion
The next time you think about what your next meal or snack will be, take a moment to remember that what you ingest will literally be what builds the next generation of cells that make up your body – the very cells which are built to keep you healthy!
Will your food help or prevent the important role of your cells? Try to become more mindful of the food you eat and take responsibility for the health of your body. You are given the opportunity to make a more proactive choice for not only your long-term weight management, but also the quality of life you sustain down to the tiniest cell.
About the Author:
Working within the health field for four years, Laurel Dierking MEd, NFPT, is passionate about cultivating body, mind and spirit awareness through holistic health practices. As a Health and Fitness Professional and yoga instructor at JKFITNESS, Laurel strives to guide individuals on a path to self-awareness, long-term functional fitness, and weight-loss management.
