There is no universally agreed definition of health. Its meaning has changed through the ages and in different cultures. The term derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "haelth," meaning safe, sound or whole. In medieval times "haelthing" meant "sharing a few drinks with one's friends," having previously meant "hello" and "holiness." In recent decades, health has been taken to mean "the absence of disease." The term "disease" generally refers to a diagnosable physical abnormality while "illness" means the personal experience of sickness, or the perceived suffering due to a disease.

Changing views of health

Since the mid-1900s, medical practice has been dominated by a biomedical model that focuses more on curing than preventing illness, dividing diseases into categories -- for example, targeting a "cirrhotic liver" or "ischemic heart" for treatment. This method tends to separate physical from psychological or emotional problems, which are sometimes dismissed as "all in the head," not meriting medical attention. However, views of health are undergoing radical changes. The absence-of-disease concept is being supplanted by an image of "well being for body, spirit and mind." The emerging bio-psychosocial model regards mind and body as an intertwined unit and suggests that people be treated as whole persons, taking into account economic, social and psychological factors.

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as a "state of complete physical, mental and social well being, encompassing the ability to achieve full potential, deal with crises and meet environmental challenges." In other words, health -- or wellness, to use a trendy term -- is the capacity to undertake physical effort, to live within one's own potential and carry out tasks with vigour and alertness, leaving enough energy for unforeseen emergencies. The more recent Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion goes further, suggesting as fundamentals for health: "peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity." For example, people can't easily stay healthy if they're starving, if the air is polluted or during wartime.

Today's key buzz words are "disease prevention" and "health promotion", rather than trying to "treat the symptoms of illnesses" (as is practiced by most medical practitioners nowadays) that are largely preventable. Unfortunately, despite lip service, prevention is often a hard sell as it takes both personal and community action. Yet studies show that even a few words of advice from health professionals can often help to prevent disease by motivating people to modify their lifestyle.

Many of us are the "worried well"

Although North Americans have an increasing life expectancy, many worry unduly about health. As U.S. physician Dr. Arthur Barsky writes in his book Worried Sick: "Our sense of physical well being has not kept pace with improvements in our collective health status...there is a pervasive atmosphere of dis-ease." Many feel constantly "out of sorts" -- with vague undiagnosable ailments -- worriedly scrutinizing everyday actions for their health effects. For example, foods may be dubbed "good" (life-prolonging) or "bad" (health-harming) – instead of being regarded as enjoyable nourishment. Many are confused, even stressed, by trying to keep up with the latest medical pronouncements -- eat margarine instead of butter (or not); drink red wine (one glass or two?); take antioxidants – vitamins C and E (or don't); shun coffee, drink decaff (or what?).

The main determinants of good health

Biology – the genetic make-up (genes inherited from mother and father).

Lifestyle habits – such as a nutritious low-fat diet; enough exercise; sufficient, sound sleep; avoiding misuse of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs; motor-vehicle and traffic safety; healthy (safer) sexual practices; and stress-reduction.

Emotional balance – good self-esteem, feeling "in control" and able to forge intimate relationships.

Economic and social well being – sufficient income for food and shelter; supportive networks (family, friends, colleagues).

A health-promoting environment – e.g., not excessively polluted, clean air and water, adequate sewage disposal.

Access to adequate medical care when needed.

Measuring health

Since the WHO definition of health came out, many have tried to measure its components, which isn't easy. By definition, people in "good health" have no diagnosable diseases, no significant symptoms of "dis-ease" (un-wellness), feel "in control" of their lives, are energetic, satisfied with their social, sexual, occupational and personal existence. But even those with diagnosable diseases such as colitis or diabetes, may also feel well most of the time. Or older people with osteoporosis or atherosclerosis may consider themselves "in excellent health for their age."

Take as a further example a man who inherited a polycystic kidney disease that destroyed both kidneys by midlife. Even though he requires thrice-weekly dialysis (after two failed kidney transplants), he nonetheless enjoys a "healthy existence" in which he swims three times a week, walks to work and leads an active professional life. Similarly, a bank employee considers herself "healthy" even though she lost one breast to cancer 15 years ago, and suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome (pinched wrist nerve), for which she wears a splint at night. In contrast, we all know people with no physical disorders who complain about every little ache or transient pain.

Just being fit isn't enough!

In search of good health and longevity, many North Americans devote endless time and effort to fitness. They conscientiously jog, do aerobics, spend time on exercise bicycles, restrict cholesterol intake, avoid aluminum cookware and get medical checkups. Beyond its health benefits, some even view fitness as a way to ennoble the

As one University of Toronto expert puts it, "just being fit isn't it!" Although physical fitness -- muscular strength and flexibility -- is a prerequisite for well being, fitness alone does not guarantee good health. Being physically fit when mentally unbalanced, "stressed out," socially isolated or emotionally disturbed does not add up to good health. Obsessive fitness addicts may consider the slightest tinge of un-wellness a slur on their character, making them feel guilty. Yet this kind of "blame the victim" mentality is unhealthy. It is absurd to expect that all illness can be avoided simply by one's own efforts.

The meaning and definition of "good health" has changed through the ages. Perhaps the best method of "knowing your health status" is being acutely aware of your own body, its functions and functional aberrations. So what am I talking about here?

I'm referring particularly to

• how you feel
• how often you have a bowel movement
• how often you urinate
• how often you feel bloated or gassy after eating
• what foods trigger your bloated or gassy feeling
• what hurts
• is that hurt "chronic" or "new"

Light-headedness could be a symptom of high blood pressure. Pain in a new and unexpected place could be a sign of a bruise, muscle strain, unknown injury, or an unknown infection of some kind. Shingles or easy bruising could be a sign of a lack of vitamin C in your diet. Many other little things about you and your body could be early indications of injury or disease. So….how aware are you of what your body is telling you every day?

My body type is literally grossly obese. I know I am "at risk" for many illnesses and for many injuries simply because of my body type. I am about 100 lbs overweight and it began when I was 25 years old. I'm now nearing 70. I would probably be a lot healthier if I were to lose 50 to 75 pounds. I know this, yet I continue not to heed it. My blood chemistry is "normal" – I have no major blood chemistry problems. My blood pressure is generally 135 / 75-80. I have a 54-inch waist yet I can bend over and touch my knuckles on the floor in front of my toes. I can still do 50 sit-ups in under two minutes. I regularly walk 2 miles a day minimum and about 5-6 miles when I play a round of golf – and I walk for the golf, rather than ride in a cart. So I try to take pretty good care of myself.

Over the years I have learned a few things about my own body and health, how I react to certain foods and food supplements. This does not say anything about how you will react to these things….only that you need to be aware of what your body is doing and what your body is telling you about why it is doing those things.

For example, I love salads, especially green salads. And they give me loads of gas and bloating. I know this, so I try to eat a small salad at least once a day. It's only when I get carried away and have a large salad, or second helping, that I get bloated and gassy.

I have an allergic reaction to all artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. Prolonged use, say 1 cup of artificially sweetened international coffee or 1 diet soda a day for a month, will raise my blood pressure above 150. I have a similar reaction to prolonged use (two weeks or more) of all vitamins except Vitamins C and E. I have a very bad physical reaction to several prescription medications and food supplements, which include tetracycline, biocyllin and amino acids.

I used to get a Flu Shot every year – and I would get the Flu 3 times a year. The first time was immediately after the shot, the second time was 3 months after the shot and the third time was 6 months after the shot. I documented this for about 10 years and, after talking it over with my doctor, quit taking flu shots. I now get the flu about once every 5 years or less and it doesn't make me as sick as it used to make me.

The things I do, however, are the things that keep me healthy. These are walking regularly and playing golf. They also include taking 2000 units of Vitamin C daily for over 40 years, and taking 50 units each of both Zinc and Selenium once a week. And about the middle of November every year I up the Zinc and Selenium intake to 5-6 times a week.

I play Santa at a mall every Christmas season for 4-5 weeks, and I come into contact with just about every disease and bug known to man during that period. Yet I seldom get sick, and when I do get sick I neither feel sick nor exhibit symptoms to those around me. I attribute this to the Zinc and Selenium I take. I've been taking these for 8 years now, and in that time have only been sick once – and at that, no one around me knew I was sick.

Each of us is different from one another; each of us must make our own personal health assessment. We must learn to recognize what our body is telling us about what is going on inside and why, and we must also learn which preventatives work and which don't on an individual basis.

In this article I'm both sharing excellent general health information and telling you what works for me, why, and what doesn't and why. It's up to you to learn what works for you and what doesn't and why. And then to do whatever it takes to maintain your health at optimum levels. Good luck and good health.

Copyright © 2004 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad

About Loring: Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. He is the author of 2 paperback books and 4 eBooks. His latest business endeavor is at http://www.organicgreens.us