Have you ever wondered how the body heals itself? What parts of our bodies regenerate faster than others?

The saying “you are what you eat” really does have truth to it!  By eating a healthy nutritious diet, you can greatly affect how your body repairs and maintains itself.

Everywhere we read that humanity is sicker than it has ever been. This is partly due to our environment, our lifestyle, but most importantly, to how and what we eat. Clean food, like clean air, is becoming more vital to us every day.

What is clean food? Know where your food comes from. Eat local and seasonal. Buy organic whenever possible. And stay well-hydrated. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of clean water a day to detoxify your body processes.

Here are some of the major organs of the body, how long their cells take to regenerate, and the types of food you should eat to support their health.

Bones

The entire human skeleton is thought to be replaced every 10 years.  Bone health is important in keeping you upright and strong. Osteoporosis is a common malady mainly in older women. You can slow this process down with daily weight-bearing exercise and eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin C such as dairy products, green leafy vegetables, tofu, nuts, salmon, sardines, and fruit like oranges, apricots, strawberries, and pineapple.

Brain

Our brain is the control center of our entire body. Recent studies show that we grow new neurons throughout our lives. Caffeine found in coffee and dark chocolate, and antioxidants in blueberries and broccoli help.   Learning impairments, depression, and Alzheimer’s may be linked to low levels of omega-3s in our diet. Eating fatty fish with omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, trout, and sardines are rich sources to support brain health. (1,3)

Liver

Its function is to produce proteins, cholesterol, and bile. It also breaks down toxins like alcohol, medications, and natural byproducts of metabolism. It is one of the fastest organs to regrow taking a mere 6 weeks. Inflammation is a large cause of liver damage such as cirrhosis and cancer. Drinking 3 cups of coffee a day has shown to lower the risk of these diseases. Green tea, 5-10 cups a day, has also been shown to help. Eating fruits high in antioxidants such as grapefruit, blueberries, and cranberries, and vegetables like Brussel sprouts and broccoli all are helpful foods for the liver. (4)

Lungs

The oxygen exchange alveoli take over a year to regenerate. However, the cells on the lung’s surface renew every 2-3 weeks. Healthy lungs can be supported by eating inflammation-busting foods high in antioxidants and vitamin C such as blueberries, apples, acai berries, broccoli, and walnuts. Pollutants increase the risk of respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.  (2)

Skin

The surface layer of the skin is recycled every 2-4 weeks. This is good news for people with skin cancer and severe burns. Foods containing beta carotene act as natural sunblocks and may protect your skin from sun damage. Examples are avocados, walnuts, sunflower seeds, carrots, and sweet potatoes.