The Secrets of Good Health

THE SECRETS OF GOOD HEALTH
Traditionally, someone was healthy if he had not suffered from a serious illness and was not suffering from pain or other annoyances. Today, the definition of good health includes longevity and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellness, not just the absence of disease or disability".

How do we achieve longevity, which is a key indicator of good health? Scientific research is diverged on this point. According to some studies, longevity is due to about 80% in genetic factors. According to a Swedish study, however, in identical twins, only 20-30% of longevity is genetically depended. The way of living seems to be a more dominant factor.
The decoding and mapping of DNA in 2003, shed light on this divergence. Indeed, there are many genes that affect our health and our longevity. Most of these genes however are inactive and are triggered by external factors. It is clear, therefore, that both genetic factors and the external environment, i.e. our way we live, determine our health and our longevity.

We cannot change our genes, but it is good to know what to do and what to avoid in order to achieve good health and longevity. Among the things we can easily do are: proper nutrition, good sleep, activities and hobbies, walking, mind vigilance (mainly by reading), engaging in what we love (mainly in choosing our work), etc. Among the things to avoid are: smoking, alcohol, toxicity (that may come from people or situations), etc.

Our immune system plays an important role in good health. The herb astragalus, known since ancient Greece, the key ingredient of the "defence" product, activates and strengthens our immune system according to scientific research. Additionally, recent scientific studies have found that astragalus plays a role in longevity by preventing telomere shortening so that DNA remains in good condition. Telomeres are the end pieces of DNA which, with aging, become progressively shorter and this is related to age-related health problems.