March 10, 2024, 11:07 AM IST / Lalit Kapoor in FIVE PILLARS OF HEALTH: A Blueprint for Wellbeing, Health, India, Lifestyle, TOI

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The exploration of diet and lifestyle myths leads us to delve into human physiology and nutrition fundamentals. Every organism's core objectives are survival and propagation, driven by two vital elements: Prana and Apana, symbolizing life force and waste elimination. Over four blog posts, we'll examine the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, blood circulatory system, and lymphatic system.

**Gastrointestinal Tract**

The gastrointestinal tract processes food from the mouth to the anus, impacting transit time and nutrient absorption. This journey is crucial, particularly in fiber-rich plant-based diets, which promote gut health. The gut's epithelial cell lining and microbiota play pivotal roles in health, highlighting the significance of epigenetics in medical science.

**Respiratory System**

The respiratory system facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, vital for cellular function. Understanding respiratory anatomy and function is crucial for appreciating how air quality and breathing patterns affect overall health and well-being.

**Blood Circulatory System**

The blood circulatory system distributes oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body, essential for survival and proper functioning. This intricate network of arteries, veins, and capillaries ensures efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal, underscoring the importance of cardiovascular health.

**Lymphatic System**

The lymphatic system acts as the body's janitorial system, removing waste from all body parts due to metabolic processes. Understanding lymphatic anatomy and function is crucial for appreciating how lymphatic health impacts overall well-being and disease prevention.

**Conclusion**

The transition from whole foods to refined and processed options during the past century is a primary contributor to lifestyle-related diseases. These diseases affect our body on a daily basis in small ways that are rarely noticeable until it is often too late. They are not impervious as we often like to believe. Taking medications to suppress symptoms is not the solution. The diet has to be modified.