Our amazing bodies

One of the recurring thoughts I have while in A&P for two semesters is how amazing and fine tuned our bodies are. Sometimes I wonder how we manage to live at all. Most of the time I'm simply reminded of our Creator and Sustainer and want to give Him praise.

Our bodies have many "check and balance" systems (called homeostasis) in place that keep us from certain death. For instance, if your blood pH becomes slightly acidic one mechanism that kicks in (without our knowledge) causes our breathing rate to up in order to blow off more CO2. Less CO2 equals less acid build up in blood. There isn't much room for pH changes in blood. The normal pH range is between 7.35 and 7.45. If your pH goes below 7.35 you are in acidosis meaning your blood is becoming acidic...not a good thing! If your blood pH goes about 7.45 you go into alkalosis which is less common that acidosis, but non the less just as dangerous. Our kidney's come into play as well in this pH balancing act as they help regulate the release of hydrogen ions (which cause acidity). That's part of the reason having healthy kidney's is so important!

There are many areas in which our bodies have automatic control systems in place to keep things balanced. From blood pressure rates, to body temp, to battling foreign bacteria, our bodies are working hard at the cellular level to keep us alive and well.

Which brings me to a personal question. Now that I know these things, why do I continue to abuse my body when it's working so hard to keep me alive? In fact, the more I abuse it by overeating, the harder my body has to work at keeping me in balance for life. This all brings new meaning to the fact that God created our bodies and that we can glorify Him through our bodies.

Thank you Lord for your amazing creation. May I become a better steward of the one and only physical body You have created for this life. Thank you that in eternity our bodies will be perfect!