Cocoa Tickles™

A Strong Body and Mind

The human immune system is made up specialized cells that Project the organisms in the body against outside biological factors. The immune system functions by

protecting the body against bacteria and viral infections, destroying all dangerous foreign substances. It is an amazing gathering of barrier and fighting responses to all the attacks form outside the body. When the system works properly it is very effective but sometimes our defenses drop and the body cannot fight off the attacking bacteria. And the body ends up in a state of sickness or disease.

There are many factors that lower the body's natural defense system; stress, food and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, allergies, viruses and disease. When the body does not have the sufficient amount of antibodies to fight the incoming attacks, we get ill and have tour immune system loses its strength. The immune system is about fitness and serves to maintain the body, its task is to attend to all the inflammatory responses where the body needs it at the moment it needs it. Stress is believed to be one of the major factors that reduce the potency of the immune system by causing all types of disequilibrium in the body.

Stress can be caused by an injury, emotional stress, over-exemption physically and mentally and sometimes even the smallest everyday changes may affect our ability to handle difficult situations. The body responds to all these stressful situations by releasing cortisol which reduces the over production of eicosanoids ( bad substances) , however when the body produces too much cortisol the immune system begins to shut down leaving the body susceptible to bacteria, illness and disease. This causes the body to reacts to the illness by producing inflammatories through the production of more “bad” eicosanoids and so the cycle goes on. When your body is infected by disease, illness and bacteria, it also produces cytokines which help your body to conserve energy making you feel dizzy, tired, sad and lowers your appetite and desires. So when there is too much stress the body, the cycle reoccurs more frequently causing a stressful downward spiral and eventually physical illness.

The immune cells are active when the body is suffering a sickness and more cytokines will be released, interacting with the surface of the receptors on the brain and make more inflammatory “bad” eicosanoids that can easily cross over to the brain. In the brain the eicosanoids now produce the pro-inflammatory cytokines and the brain responds by sending out more cortisol to eventually be secreted by the adrenal glands. This emotional-inflammatory cycle is complete; from the initial stress response in the brain, then to the immune response in the body and back to the increased stress response within the brain. The only way to control the relative emotions and boost the immune system is to break the cycle of the inflammatory causing chemicals.

The Omega 3 fatty acids have proven to be high in anti-inflammatory properties. Medical research and studies have shown that essential fatty acids , especially Omega 3, helps to reduce the production of the pro-inflammatory compounds; eicosanoids cytokines associated with emotional imbalances in the brain. By adding these essential acids to your diet you are helping the body increase the serotonin levels which aid in the control of anxiety, mood problems and depression. Not only do the essential acids aid in the maintenance of a stable mental health but accelerate the development of the immune system, cancer and heart problems all of which have potent inflammatory components.

It is vital to have control over our stress as not to let it take control of our health. By effectively managing stress levels we manage to decelerate the aging process and help to strengthen the immune system, while promoting a general sense of well being, vitality and longevity. A healthy immune system will habilitate the body's healing process and protect it against disease and infections. Therefore it is of utter importance to protect and boost the body's immune system to make sure we live a lot longer, feel a lot younger and look a lot healthier.

Regular exercise and physical activity is top on the list to maintaining a healthy mind and body. It strengthens the immune system, cardiovascular system, bones and muscles as well as releasing endorphins in the brain to improve all mental and emotional functioning. An active physical participation is not entirely sufficient on its own; it has to be coupled with the right diet that is rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and all the essential fatty acids.

Omega 3 and numerous vitamins are necessary as they contain anti oxidants which neutralize free radicals that damage the cells causing cancer and heart disease. Omega 3, which is a polyunsaturated fat is a natural anti-inflammatory, it aids the arteries and promotes stable blood flow, lowers the levels of cholesterol and controls hypertension and heart disease. These essential fatty acids can be found in fish oils, ground flax and flax oil, walnuts, soy beans and pumpkin seeds.

Tea is also rich in antioxidants and a beneficial amino acid called L-theanine that will strengthen the immune system and also promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation. It is also recommended that we allow our body's to get enough sleep and rest daily to lower the levels of stress we can experience according to different situations. It is during the hours of sleep that the body is able to rebuild its strength and rejuvenates the immune system.

The variations in arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and various skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis are all related to the defects in the immune system. Evidence proved that patients that experienced discomfort and pain due to Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis had advanced relief from inflammation , pain and joint movement by adding Omega 3 fatty acids to their diets.

Fish oils were also found to show significant help in patients recovering from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and reduce the possibility of colonic diseases. When there is an imbalance in the levels of omega 3 in the body it is more likely that people will suffer from asthma as it is an inflammatory condition.

Inflammatory skin conditions are improved by adding Omega 3 to the diet as it relieves the itching discomfort, however it will not cure the condition but will reduce the allergic reaction that these patients suffer.

A healthy immune system will protect your body by knowing what to attack and exactly when to attack. So keep your immune system strong and uplifted by simply adding Omega 3 to your diet and guarantee yourself a longer healthier future and at the same time feel good about it!