The Human Organism (‘Man’) ….

What must happen to make us obese, less healthy and eventually unhealthy?

Where do Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and metabolic syndrome come from?

What are the origins?

To understand why more individuals suffer from non-communicable diseases, a 360° view is required.

·               The objective with this article (and a few subsequent articles) is therefore to identify (through broad secondary research), some factors that determine which individuals are healthy and which become unhealthy.

·               At issue is trying to understand possible causes for becoming unhealthy, in a simplified, understandable manner.

·               This will start to explain why taxing sugar or any other food, beverage or ingredient is not the best route to ensure health and happiness…

It starts with ‘Nature”. We are creatures of Nature...... Organisms.

What do we know?

We know that everything in Nature is based on ‘balance’ – not too much; not too little, obtained at a specific time, just in time, in a specific manner.

The body is no different.

The body does not belong to you …. On a biological level, it belongs to your brain.

It is an engine that generates energy and power. It actually has a single aim, namely to produce the energy (in the form of glucose and fructose) to sustain brain activity. The brain in turn determines what is required (and where it is required and the quantity) to sustain life, using the organs, hormones, enzymes and more to achieve this aim.

It is also a well-tuned, well-run ‘distribution center’ to move goods (glucose, vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes and more) to where the body needs it to function optimally. Just as goods are moved around in a DC or storage facility, using forklifts, artificial intelligence and automated systems, the body has veins, blood, hormones, genes and enzymes to speed reactions, prevent accidental ‘pile-ups’, redirecting as required, slowing some things to allow something more urgent to take preference. The body therefore needs timing in the form of biological (circadian) clocks to regulate what happens where and when; how long it takes and when it stops. The human body is truly magnificent – and complicated.

The purpose of the body is therefore to keep the brain alive and well. Not the other way around ..... The brain's purpose is to activate the burning of energy as required and ensure the exercise of the muscles that will keep the body in optimal condition to ‘work’ effectively and as long as possible for the brain to survive without mishap. The brain can also be equated with a ‘realist’ – when things are not going so well with the body or mind, the brain will activate the ‘death gene’. Although some specialist fields address ways to stop the death gene, we have to be very sure and understand clearly that we all die eventually; perhaps not tomorrow, but most definitely at some point in time that we cannot predict – and our death will probably have an identifiable cause. Until that day, however, our bodies need to function optimally.

What stands in the way of the brain? Our ‘will’. When we override what the brain requires, we ‘put a spanner in the machine’.

We can override the brain with our thoughts and willpower.

Let’s imagine that we decide to do something contrary to what our body and brain required…. How would we function optimally? We cannot.

Optimal functioning of the body

To function optimally, the body must be in balance – not too much food (nutrients) or too little food, not too much or too little of one nutrient; ingested when required, composition (not just nutritionally) as required to ensure optimal digestion; the absence of infection or inflammation (even when man does not know it is there), to ensure that nutrition is not wasted on fighting disease; everything timed correctly and efficiently. The body requires just enough sleep, just enough darkness, just enough oxygen, an efficient system to eliminate ’effluent and waste’ (just like a factory).

Who we are and what will happen to us (health-wise), is determined to a large extent by genetics – our forefathers – who they were, how they lived, what they ate, what activities they did, their state of mind, resistance to infectious diseases, whether they had allergies or not. Through the generations it becomes part of an individual’s DNA. The fact that you are here says everything about your great grand-parents and grand-parents. Unfortunately, they can also be the cause of some non-communicable (chronic) diseases that were ‘hidden’ up to now since their lifespan were much shorter than ours. Diseases that would have had an effect on them (had they lived longer), are only coming to the forefront in their descendants, because their progenies are living longer – and radically different lives.

Already in 1995 it was stated in a research paper that “[g]ene transcription can be [ ] modulated by epigenetic mechanisms, which include in a large measure methylation changes or post-translational modification of histones. Both epigenetic mechanisms may act independently or in concert to modify chromatin compaction and, in consequence, gene expression. […] Some studies suggest that epigenetic modifications that permanently alter gene expression may be transmitted through the generations (Trans generationally). It has been demonstrated through an epidemiological study that in humans the risk of developing cardiovascular complications or type 2 diabetes (T2D) is determined by the dietary trends of parents and grandparents during their teenage years; nutrient excess of a grandfather just before puberty will transmit to his grandchildren a quadruple risk of developing T2D“ (https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:1995 ).

What we are is however not just about the past, it is also about the present and the future. If we want to ensure healthier future generations, it must start now.

Just as a reminder, we need to review the apparently most important parts of the body when it comes to chronic diseases. The following image is more detailed regarding the digestive system that has been underrated for a long time. It incredible importance in the development of non-communicable (chronic) diseases has only recently been indicated or realized.

It is important to remember that non-communicable diseases are the consequence of ‘mistakes’ that happen in the body due to different factors.

The next image is of the human body and the most important parts involved in the development of some non-communicable diseases, such as obesity (yes, it is a disease), diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more. You may have to refer back to these images as we continue on our journey to discover what happens to turn a healthy individual into an unhealthy one

How the body functions

(Abstracted from https://cm.jefferson.edu/learn/dna-and-rna/ )

We all probably know who we are and that how we differ, depends on DNA. The DNA contains the genetic information that makes each living organism a living, unique entity. Man also has a soul which differentiates it from animals or plants. The soul is linked to having a conscience, religious beliefs, a sense of right and wrong, willpower. Some psychologists and psychiatrists may disagree, but for this paper ‘the soul’ is simplified to the indicated description.

The DNA is contained in each of man’s cells.

In each cell is inter alia a Nucleus and ‘little power engines’ named the Mitochondria. The DNA consists of base-pairs found in the Nucleus and the Mitochondria (hence the term Mitochondrial-DNA used to determine whether individuals in a group or family are related). The DNA is organized to form chromosomes and all the chromosomes in a cell are collectively named ‘the genome’ (as in ‘the human genome’).

Each organism has a different genome, for example the maize genome will differ from the frog genome, will differ from the human genome. In man, approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA form 46 chromosomes. The genetic information in the DNA is stored in genes (on which the term ‘genetic’ is based).

At this time, it is not important to take note how the DNA is structured.

Just note that molecules (nucleobases) encode the information in the DNA and the sequence in which they are found, determines the genetic code. (It makes a squirrel a squirrel, and man a man…)

More important, is the following:

The genetic code determines the sequence of amino acids to form different proteins (it is actually a blueprint for proteins). The DNA also determines the formation of RNA which is the carrier of messages in the body. When there is a lack of essential amino acids, some proteins cannot be formed. When this happens, the message that is delivered to specific genes, organs, glands and the brain becomes muddled, resulting in non-communicable diseases.

The following image indicates the components of DNA (the double strand) and RNA (the single strand):

In the 1950’s a simplified statement or dogma was used (and is still used today):

““DNA makes RNA [as well as replicating more DNA by using a specific enzyme], RNA makes proteins [requiring amino-acids as building blocks], [and] proteins make us”. 

“Protein is never back-translated to RNA or DNA. Furthermore, DNA is never translated directly to protein.” (https://cm.jefferson.edu/learn/dna-and-rna/ ). To view a slideshow (24 minutes) of this topic, go to: https://slideplayer.com/slide/6303620/ and https://slideplayer.com/slide/9767200/ (19 minutes).

To create protein, amino acids are required. There are 30 amino acids to choose from – and the type of protein that is created, depends on the selection of specific amino acids and the sequence in which they are linked. Some of these amino acids are essential (the body cannot manufacture them) and others can be modified or created in the body. For more information on the different amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins (that are combined according to the ‘blueprint’ provided by RNA), go to https://www.nutrientsreview.com/proteins/amino-acids . Note that essential amino acids can only come from the diet, while non-essential amino acids can only be manufactured or created by the body if there are specific amino acids, glucose and fatty acids present.

Are non-essential amino acids not important?

No – it just means that the body can manufacture them. Our bodies still need them for us to live and survive. Where do the fatty acids come from? Essential fatty acids come from the diet (specific fats or oils) (https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids).

Where does all of this happen or occur in the body?

It takes place in each Human Cell – in the Nucleus and Mitochondria.

Why is a discussion about DNA, RNA, protein, genes, enzymes, hormones and more, so important?

·        The DNA and RNA in the Cell Nucleus and Mitochondria can get damaged, and the body has the ability to repair it (within reason). It is also known that damaged DNA can lead to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – actually any diseases that we know as ‘non-communicable or chronic diseases’. Watch a 3:30 minute video abstract from an article published in Neuron. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627314005807 ). The damage may be the result of

o     communicable diseases (e.g. viral or bacterial infections),

o     other conditions such as an almost insignificantly small stroke,

o     medication (such as antibiotics or chemotherapy) that disrupt the microorganisms in the gut (the ‘human microbiome’),

o     environmental conditions,

o     emotional conditions that increase the secretion of specific hormones, enzymes etc.

o     stress,

o     nutritional disruptions and more.

This is extremely important.

·        When things go wrong (out of balance) – there are consequences, sometimes many years later.

·        Proteins are very important in every part of the body. Without protein, the body would stop functioning. Many diseases cause a decrease in the protein levels in the body, contributing to the damage in cells that can lead to inflammation or infection which can trigger the development of one or more non-communicable diseases, while making the individual also more susceptible to communicable diseases. This does not mean that vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids and nutrients in general are not important, just that protein is very close to the center of human life.

·        The molecules and amino acids required in the body, comes from the body itself (it manufactures some of them), or the body absorbs whatever is required (depending on the micro-organisms or ‘human microbiome’ in the intestines after digestion, the lungs and the breakdown of body muscle tissue or fat tissue due to physical exertion), from what we eat, drink, inhale – actually, everything we do. The ‘leftovers’ or unwanted residue are discarded in urine (the kidneys -- and liver) or faeces (the digestive tract through the anus). If anything is not optimal – for example in the forming of the food bolus in the mouth, the acidity (pH) in the stomach, the passage of the digested through the intestines, the state of the micro-organisms in the intestines…the body becomes stressed (without you even knowing about it) and reacts.

·        The genes created according to the DNA instructions to the RNA, can be switched on and off – and there are genes that can cause obesity or weight loss, just as there are genes that can cause diabetes or diabetic symptoms, or not. Is it only one gene each? No there is most definitely more than one that can be triggered by different occurrences – not just diet or environmental factors. This is the case for all genes. To know a little more about the way genes and their reactions or actions can be influenced, watch this video: https://study.com/academy/lesson/mutagens-how-the-environment-affects-mutation-rates.html

·        It is already possible to ‘edit’ genes. A current study is nearing completion despite some setbacks (that are addressed). At the moment it is focused on medication development and –delivery in the body, yet further applications and -research is already underway: “CRISPR is a new biomedical technique that enables powerful gene editing…

·        [B]iologist, Neville Sanjana [was challenged] to explain CRISPR to 5 different people; a child, a teen, a college student, a grad student, and a CRISPR expert”: (Molten, 2017) https://dp8hsntg6do36.cloudfront.net/5924b325b57ac340fe00002d/98310ca2-8b0a-4c0f-84a6-241685c24175high.mp4?requester=oo. Watch this video if you want to know more.

·        Enzymes, hormones and more are created according to the genes, cycles that they ‘serve’, and they therefore play a very important role in non-communicable diseases – much of which is already known, under investigation or expected. Different pathways and cycles exist where each ‘component’ has a specific place and function.

·        As mentioned previously, everything in the body is about ‘timing’.

Every pathway, cycle and gene is activated and deactivated at a specific time.

This is controlled by different biological (circadian) clocks.

When a clock is disrupted, the activation or deactivation of processes in the body is disrupted.

This can happen during starvation, overindulgence (gluttony), eliminating foods or ingredients from the diet and more….

When it continues, the body comes under more stress, eventually causing inflammation or infections in the body (for example in the brain) that is not detected as such, but forms the basis for the development of non-communicable (chronic) diseases in that part of the body – sometimes years after the fact. We need (for example)

·        a certain amount of sleep in a dark room,

·        to eat regular meals and chew our food thoroughly,

·        to regulate the amount of stress in our lives, and more.

The following image provides a summary of some of the things that have changed over the last 40 years – things that take us on a journey from healthy to unhealthy:

Diagram 1a: From Healthy to Unhealthy

Diagram 1b: From Healthy to Unhealthy (continued)

And sugar, taxes, sugar sweetened beverages, health levies – it is unimportant …. To be healthy again will require much more than this, even with exercise thrown in for good measure….

This is enough for now.

Look out for the next article – it gets more interesting….

Source list available on request.

END.