Personal Health – Circle of Health
Prof Nola Dippenaar has over time developed an intriguing exploration of all the factors that affect one’s health. This unique approach has culminated in a unique model that integrates all of these factors, aptly named The Circle of Health. Useful information has over time been researched and written about the various components making up The Circle of Health, for example short blogs and articles that were published on the Health Insight website and other publications.
age
There is actually a lot of truth in the saying “you are as old as you feel.” Studies have shown if you feel younger than your actual age, chances are good that you will live longer. It gets worse if you feel older than your actual age – you may well die earlier.
alcohol
Alcohol is classified together with general anesthetics, as a central nervous system depressant. In fact it is the rising acetaldehyde blood levels, formed in the liver when alcohol is metabolized, that greatly contribute to all the profound side-effects of alcohol intake.
general health
We only fully realize the true value of any special person or a priceless possession when we no longer have it! Our precious health is no different.
genes
Genetics can be viewed as the branch of biology that is concerned with the study of heredity – dealing with the genetic properties. Modern genetics has expanded way beyond mere inheritance to now also study the function and behavior of genes and their environment.
laughter
There are lots of truth in the saying “laughter is the best medicine”. Various chemical reactions take place in the body when you are having a good laugh, and the scientific study of the psychological, physiological and neurological effects of laughter even has a name attached to it – gelotology!
me time
Part of living a healthy and happy life is to make time to simply do something that you enjoy on your own, without feeling guilty about spending time with yourself and not with others. “Me” time does not refer to being alone, but to quality time, doing what you love!
Microbiome
Do you see yourself as fat and fit and fine? It may be preferable to than fat and unfit, but definitely not fine if you want to live long.
A higher than normal body mass index (BMI) has irrefutably been linked to premature death, in a large international study that conducted 239 prospective studies amongst more than 10 million people in 32 countries.
nutrition
Maize products in Mexico are much healthier than local products and the secret has been known for centuries in the Americas. Since ancient time Aztec, Mayan and Mexican civilizations have developed a process of cooking maize that effectively softens the maize and improves the taste, and which unintentionally also ensured that more nutrients remained in the food.
physical activity
Fitness and weight control are well-known major benefits of a rigorous exercise routine, but regular physical activity can also assist in reducing the risk of several diseases and health conditions. Keep in mind that exercise is but one of several good lifestyle habits for better health.
salt intake
The amount of salt in one’s diet is known to directly affect blood pressure in a linear fashion, indicating a link between high salt intake and high blood pressure.
sleep
Healthy sleeping habits and a good night’s sleep (at least seven hours) allow the body time to do important physiological maintenance. During the initial phase of light sleep, the vast amount of information received that day is erased, and only the memories of importance are kept.
smoking
Let’s face it, people smoke because they enjoy it. When you inhale nicotine, it immediately rushes to the brain, resulting in feelings of pleasure and reduced stress and anxiety. The pleasurable sensations result from nicotine stimulating the release of the chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. How can something that feels so good, be bad for you?
stress
Instead of succumbing to anxiety in a stressful situation, by using the right techniques you can actually “trick” your brain’s response to pressure to change from feeling “anxious” to rather feel “excited”, and to view the situation from being a “threat” to being a “challenge”.
supplements
Before deciding on taking any supplements, a word of caution – too much of certain vitamins are as harmful as a deficiency. And a word of advice – before taking any supplements, it is best to have the proper blood- and other tests done to determine what, if any, your body really requires.
touch, love and caring
“Candy is dandy, but sex don’t rot your teeth!”
It would be such a bonus when something that feels so good, is really good for you. Apart from the “feel good” and other emotional benefits, are there are any other benefits for the chemistry in your body?
vitamin d
Tiny amounts of vitamin D are found in food such as egg yolks and oily fish, but not in sufficient quantities for the body’s needs.
waist size
Within our bodies lurks a silent, active and extremely dangerous assassin called Inner fat. It goes under a number of aliases – Abdominal fat, or Active fat, or Visceral fat, as it is known in medical circles. Visceral fat is quite bulky and hides out of reach, deep inside the abdominal cavity, where it occupies the spaces between the abdominal organs, and from where it launches a quiet onslaught on our bodies. Visceral fat is assisted by a partner in crime, Subcutaneous fat.
water
When you consider that about 60% of your body weight is made up of water, it stands to reason that our bodies need regular replenishment of fluids to keep every system – all the biochemical processes – in the body functioning properly.
What services do Health Insight offer?
Individual consultations
At Health Insight we firmly believe in the saying “Your health is your wealth” and we have over time developed the tools to enable individuals to take responsibility for the state of their health, their most precious possession.
Health Presentations
A wide range of presentations on health-related matters have been developed over time and presented to local and international audiences.
Corporate Interventions
Four different health interventions are available separately or as a comprehensive health improvement intervention, with benefits to both the employer and employees.
Personal Health – Circle of Health
An intriguing exploration of all the factors that affect one’s health. This unique approach has culminated in a unique model that integrates all of these factors.