First & Foremost

Ensure that our body has been given the chance to work efficiently by providing simple actions

By Lionel Phillips

In light of the current serious situation that has taken all humanity by storm, it was hoped that the political echelon to whom we gave our vote – no matter their convictions – would be willing to devote 30 minutes of their time, to analyzing logical and well researched facts related to the human body needs, as well as its obvious connection to THE COVID-19 virus. WRONG!

Every human being should see themselves as extremely privileged and fortunate. We have been provided with a more than remarkable machine – our very own Human Body.  Not only is it perfectly produced time and again in the most miraculous fashion, every one of the numerous systems are absolutely mind-boggling in design and function, as are their connections and messaging facilities between each other, involving multi millions of transactions 24/7, many on-going for 100 years and more.

In addition, for better or for worse, each system relies on the efficient function of all the other systems.  Should even one system be unable to function as required, all other systems will be adversely affected.  

There is one snag however. All the systems rely on us to provide a few very specific actions in order for our greatest asset to function in a healthy and energetic way. One would imagine that it would be undertaken with gusto, especially as they are non-invasive on our lifestyle and extremely simple.

After all, Prevention is universally regarded as being better than Cure.

Due to the presence of the horrid COVID-19 Coronavirus, and its major effect on the Respiratory System (Oxygen supply, Lungs and Blood), the essential basic requirements are – NOSE BREATHING and WATER consumption. This may seem to be over-simplifying the need or the crisis, except for the fact that Oxygen and Water are the two most essential elements that relate to every Human Body System.

Nasal (Nose) Breathing ( also referred to as Diaphragmatic Breathing)

Our bodies are designed for nose breathing. The mechanisms through which we inhale and exhale through nose breathing correctly as well as consistently – has numerous health benefits. The ultimate aim is to advise as many citizens as possible, of all ages, to commence Nose breathing as a matter of extreme urgency.

Some Israelis who seemingly recovered from COVID-19 and then fell sick with symptoms a second time told Channel 12 in September that the second round was more difficult.

Prof. Arnon Ofek, deputy director-general of Sheba Medical Center, told Channel 12 that while this kind of situation is relatively rare, it is showing up in literature around the world.

Your nose is the only organ which is enabled to properly “prepare” the air you breathe. In the human body, the Oxygen is absorbed by the blood stream in the lungs, being then transported to the cells where an elaborated change process takes place.  The sinuses in the nasal cavity, but not the mouth, continuously produce Nitric Oxide (NO). The NO produced in the nasal cavity is chemically identical to the NO that is used clinically by inhalation. So, by inhaling through the nose, you are delivering NO directly into your lungs, where it increases both airflow and blood flow and keeps micro-organisms and virus particles in check. The American pharmacologist, Louis J. Ignarro, along with Robert F. Furchgott and Ferid Murad, was co-awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering how nitric oxide is produced in the body and how it works.

Breath of Fresh Air

The nose is fully equipped with an inbuilt thermostat, so the air is warmed before it reaches the lungs.  The ultimate design also ingeniously put tiny hairs in the nasal cavity – called Cilli – which catch dirt and particles coming in with the air as it enters the nose.

The nasal mucosa, also called respiratory mucosa, lines the entire nasal cavity, from the nostrils (the external openings of the respiratory system) to the pharynx, the uppermost section of the throat.

Research has linked mouth breathing to many unhealthy issues. In a 2017 study, a group of highly anxious people were assigned to take a course in diaphragmatic breathing. After eight weeks, they reported feeling less anxious, reduced anxiety, lower heart rate and slower breathing.

The diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle at the base of the lungs, plays an important role in breathing — though you may not be aware of it. When you inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This creates more space in your chest cavity, allowing the lungs to expand. When you exhale, the opposite happens — your diaphragm relaxes and moves upward in the chest cavity. Besides separating the upper and lower organs, it is a massager to both.

But it’s especially important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD, air can become trapped in the lungs, which keeps the diaphragm pressed down. This causes it to weaken and work less efficiently. Diaphragmatic breathing can help people with COPD to strengthen the diaphragm, which in turn helps them use less effort and energy to breathe.

Diaphragmatic – Nose – Breathing Technique

Below are illustrations and explanations, so as to assist one achieve the correct NOSE BREATHING actions.  A wonderful new HABIT in the making!

No matter whether you lead a sedentary or action-packed lifestyle, young or middle-aged or elderly, male or female, positive results are assured.

• Lie on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent and your head supported. You can use a pillow under your knees to support your legs. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move up and down as you breathe.

• Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your stomach extends up against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible.

• Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips.  The hand on your upper chest should remain unmoved.

• When you first learn the diaphragmatic breathing technique, it may be easier for you to follow the instructions by lying down, as shown above. As you gain more practice, you can try the diaphragmatic breathing technique while sitting in a chair.

Our need to drink sufficient pure WATER daily       

Most of the human body is made up of Water, H2O, with bone cells, for example, being comprised of 31% water and the lungs 83%. 

The amount of water a person needs to drink varies according to:

• their age
• their sex
• the amount of physical activity they do
• whether someone is pregnant or breast-feeding
• the temperature and other environmental factors.

Kidneys are the controllers of this body fluid                                                             

Humans are 60% – 70% Water.

• Kidneys filter it, purify it and keep it at the right volume to give you a healthy blood pressure. Water you drink is processed by the Kidneys and then excreted (gotten rid of) in the urine.
• Most people have two kidneys, which are organs shaped like kidney beans, each one about 10-15cms long, located either side of the spine, deep in the abdomen.
• When we drink water, we may have to go to the toilet in about half an hour. That is what your kidneys are there for, to keep the right amount of water in the body and purify the blood.
• On average, food provides about 15 – 20 percent of total water intake, while the remaining 80 – 85 percent comes from water and beverages of all kinds.  Pure water is the ultimate.
• Most mature adults lose about 2.5 to 3 liters of fluid per day. Elderly people lose about 2 liters per day.
• An air traveler can lose +- 1.5 liters of water during a three-hour flight.
• If the body is in a satisfactory balance, approximately 80% of ingested fluid is excreted within an hour.
• Water is absorbed in to the blood stream through the small and large intestines.
• The water absorbed from the digestive system is taken around the body in the bloodstream and used to top up our body fluids. Only about 7% of your body’s fluids are in the blood. The rest of it is in our body tissues, in our cells and in the spaces in between the cells.
• If we don’t get enough fluid, the cells dry out and our blood pressure drops. This condition is known as dehydration.
• Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. In other words, it is the liquid part of the blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. It makes up about 55% of the body’s total blood volume.
• Water is of major importance to all living things.  The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water. Muscles and kidneys are 79%, our bones 31%.
  

This is a summary of the route and the important role of Water –

• Water enters your mouth and when swallowed, it travels down the              esophagus. The water takes about 6 seconds to reach your stomach   
• In an empty stomach, the water mixes with stomach acids 
• The water is later passed to your small intestine
• On an empty stomach it takes about 5 minutes and on a full stomach it can take up to 2 hours. If there is food in your stomach, the water mixes and is absorbed in the food  
• The water is then absorbed into the blood stream from the intestines     
• It is later absorbed from the blood by different organs for different purposes, such as cells to maintain water and ion balance 
• Later on, the water from the bloodstream is filtered by the kidneys
• Useful water and ions are absorbed, while excess and toxic water is expelled you also sweat some water and there is water in the breath that you exhale
•  Ultimately you urinate. Although some water is excreted in the stools.

Final Word

Added to the billions being invested in two or more COVID-19 vaccines, which one hopes will provide positive results without too many side effects, Israel, like all other countries, has also been facing an ever-increasing cost in the Health Care Crisis. As at the year ending December 2019, it was reported as being US $ 28,125.00 Million Dollars for the year – in excess of NIS 278 Million Shekels per day! 

This must surely be a further reason for urgently recognizing the need to have at least two of our related body functions, in optimal working order according to the NEEDS of our magic machine – The Human Body.

About the Author:

Lionel Phillips is a Doctor of Osteopathy (1975), an International Fitness & Health Instructor, Consultant and Lecturer. He has researched and designed ‘The Needs & Functions of the Human Body’ as an educational subject for inclusion in all School Curriculums World-Wide. A past Federation Member and Israel Liaison Representative of IHRSA (International, Health & Racquet Sports club Association) and member of their worldwide “Panel of Experts”, Phillips is a recipient of the “Prime Ministers Award of Merit” (PM Menachem Begin).

Lionel is contactable at: global@globalhealth-education.com

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs