Cell protection by healthy sleep and healthy nutrition

A healthy human organism consists of about 70 trillion cells. Each single cell is a biochemical “miracle of nature”. Each second, a variety of metabolic processes take place. The body cells are the key to health and well-being. They determine immune response, performance, metabolic processes and psyche.

Our body cells need best possible protection lifelong. A healthy life style with regular exercise, varied nutrition as well as sufficient healthy sleep provide the best basis.

Free radicals – attacker of cells

Free radicals are both: they support health and are a health hazard at the same time. They result from metabolic processes and exist in the entire organism in molecular form. Free radicals lack an electron what makes them highly instable. They permanently strive to balance this instability by replacing the missing electron by snatching it from an intact molecule.

The immune system uses the free radicals in its fight against pathogens. But, once they get out of hand they are a hazard for the health of our cells. A body cell is attacked by free radicals approximately 10,000 times per day. Assumingly, this process is responsible for natural ageing.

Oxidative stress

The negative effects of free radicals can be contained by reactive molecules like antioxidants. They pass an electron to the free radical and therewith prevent from a damage of body own cells. Once the balance between free radicals and radical catchers is disturbed it is called oxidative stress. When too much free radicals circulate in the body the risk for cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases increases.

In this day and age there are many oxidative stress enhancing factors:

• too few sleep
• unhealthy sleep hygiene
• stress
• permanent food intake
• unhealthy eating habits
• too much alcohol, medication intake
• pollution
• lack of light or too much sunlight

Cell protection by restful sleep and healthy nutrition

Antioxidants mainly are absorbed by nutrition. Among the best-known antioxidants are copper, iron, selenium, manganese, zinc, vitamins B2, C and E as well as secondary phytochemicals. A healthy and natural eating behavior supplies the body with sufficient antioxidants.

The sleeping hormone melatonin, too, has antioxidative effects. Sufficient healthy sleep in a dark and electromagnetic-free surrounding therefore supports reduction of oxidative stress. Furthermore, during sleep our metabolism is resting, too. Hence, production of free radicals is reduced.

To sum up: A healthy lifestyle is a decisive factor to limit free radicals, to slow down ageing and to protect our organism from diseases.

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