WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OF THE BIOLOGICAL TERRAIN?
The science of Biological Terrain had its beginnings in Europe over 100 years ago. A French physiologist named Dr. Claude Bernard formulated a theory that the primary cause of most illness and disease was due to imbalances in the underlying biochemistry of the body. He believed that disturbances in the body's "Milieu Interior" or Biological Terrain compromised cellular functioning. The Biological Terrain is the interstitial fluid that bathes and nourishes every cell in the human body. Dr. Bernard believed that the disturbances or imbalances in this cellular environment affected the entire body, including the immune system. Over time, a compromised immune system had difficulty fighting disease and maintaining health. This theory later developed into the science known as Biological Terrain.

Dr. BERNARD vs Dr. PASTEUR
Dr. Bernard's theory was opposed by Dr. Louis Pasteur. Dr. Pasteur subscribed to the theory that microbes outside of the body, such as bacteria and viruses, caused most illness and disease. These two scientists opposed one another for many years. Shortly before Pasteur's death, he was quoted as claiming that Bernard's "Milieu Interior" theory was indeed correct that illness and disease are caused primarily by imbalances in the body's Biological Terrain.

In the many years since Bernard developed his theory, the science and application of Biological Terrain concepts continues to grow and is now becoming an integral part of nutritional therapies throughout the world. Advances in technology have enabled scientists and researchers to develop sensitive computerized equipment (used at the Integrated Medicine Centre) that enables researchers and health care providers to monitor key components of the Biological Terrain by assessing the body's biological fluids.

Through the precise monitoring of the body's Biological Terrain through assessing urine, saliva and blood, valuable information may be obtained that may help individuals address underlying imbalances that may be contributing to cellular stress and lack of vitality. With this valuable information, proper nutrition, stress management and detoxification of specific toxins and poisons may be implemented. These measures, in turn, may help re-establish and support healthy cellular functioning.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNAL MILIEU
The one hundred trillion cells in the human body are bathed in a nutrient- filled fluid matrix called the Biological Terrain. Other names for this fluid include the interstitial matrix and the "internal milieu." This environment, like the soil, feeds and nourishes all of the cells in the body. The outermost wall of every cell is called the cell membrane. This membrane is permeable, which means that certain elements can flow in and out of this membrane. The cells absorb electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fluid in very specific amounts. The cell to maintain cellular health and create substances called energy-rich intermediates then utilizes these nutrients.

The body to produce energy in the form of ATP then uses these substances. ATP is the energy that fuels many critical actions and reactions in the human body. The waste products from these cellular reactions within the cells are then released back into the Biological Terrain for proper filtering and disposal by the body. The integrity of the cell, its cell membrane and the vitality of the Biological Terrain increase the probability that the cell will grow and thrive.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BIOLOGICAL TERRAIN IN THE BODY
The Biological Terrain has many important functions, such as:

1. This interstitial fluid environment is responsible for delivering nutrients to every cell in the human body. The electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones and fluid within the Biological Terrain enables the body's 100 trillion cells to perform all of their vital functions of maintaining life and health.

2. The Biological Terrain is also responsible for carrying energy-rich substances throughout the body for the production of energy or ATP. ATP is the form of energy that is needed to carry out most actions and reactions in the body.

3. The movement of minerals from the cells for filtering and disposal by the body. These minerals enter the body's biological fluids of blood, urine, lymphatic fluid and saliva. These fluids serve as indicators of what has been released from within the cells. If the critical balance of pH, nutrient or mineral levels or hydration within the Biological Terrain becomes disturbed or damaged cellular stress may result. Over time, this may contribute to the development of poor health and increased susceptibility to the effects of opportunistic organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Monitoring the Biological Terrain provides an inside look at the vital biochemical functions that contribute to maintaining strength and vitality in the body.

BALANCING THE INTERNAL CHEMISTRY
The Biological Terrain of the human body, and the soil or terrain that supports plant growth, both require very specific and balanced chemistries. Maintaining a balanced chemical environment includes the monitoring of the pH or acid-alkaline levels of the terrain as well as assessment of the specific mineral, vitamin, electrolyte, enzyme and hormone levels. In addition, both the body and plants require plenty of biologically pure water, love and sunshine.

When a cell lives in an unhealthy Biological Terrain environment that lacks the proper pH or balance of nutrients, the cell, like the plant, can become unhealthy and fail to thrive. Too few as well as too many nutrients and substances in the terrain can interfere with the cell's abilities to procure the critical balance of elements that it needs to survive. With prolonged exposure to these stressful conditions, the probability that the cell will lose its vitality and develop illness or disease increases significantly. With a lowered vitality and resistance, the cell, like the plant, also becomes more susceptible to the effects of microbes and organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast and fungus.

STRESSES OF TODAY'S WORLD
In today's stress-filled world, however, excessive levels of stress are creating excessive work for the body's cells and its Biological Terrain. Chronic stresses, day after day can, in fact, prove to be very harmful to the body. Juggling work, home and family responsibilities, worries over insurance and mortgage payments, sitting for hours in rush-hour traffic, too much or not enough exercise, too little sleep and poor diets are making it more and more challenging for the body and its cells to maintain homeostasis. In addition, continued exposure to poisons and toxins in the air, water and environment are creating additional internal biochemical stress. As a result, deficiencies and excesses are being created that are severely affecting the integrity of the Biological Terrain. This, in turn, may be contributing to the development of degenerative ailments and premature aging. A compromised terrain is less equipped to support the health of the trillions of cells that rely upon it for nourishment and support.

The characteristics and condition of the Biological Terrain may affect the entire body. This fluid, matrix environment travels throughout the body. The strengths and weaknesses, as well as the imbalances of this interstitial terrain can become an integral part of blood, saliva, and lymph and urine formation. These bodily fluids therefore, may serve as mirrors or indicators of what is happening at the deepest cellular level.

Precise assessment and study of these fluids may provide valuable information about the underlying factors that may influence the overall state of our vitality and well-being.

EVERY PERSON IS UNIQUE
Each and every person is biologically and chemically unique. Although many human bodies and their functions appear to be very similar in nature, the science of Biological Terrain demonstrates that each and every individual's cellular environment responds a bit differently to stress, change, health and illness. Research has proven that genetic and hereditary factors, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental factors all affect cellular functioning and play major roles in determining the health and well-being of an individual. Because of the many factors that can affect the cellular environment, a Biological Terrain clinician endeavours to be an investigator. He or she spends time exploring the underlying chemistry of a client to address the underlying cause of the problem and resulting imbalances. In addition to monitoring the biological fluids for very specific parameters, a Biological Terrain clinician will also gather additional information through extensive questionnaires. Some of these questionnaires may require that you step back a bit in time to explore the possible contributing factors of your present imbalance.

When cells live in a healthy Biological Terrain with balanced pH, nutrient and hydration levels, they will thrive. They may also be better equipped to resist the effects of damaging organisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi.

At the DaVinci Natural Health Centre everyone will undergo a Biological Terrain Assessment using saliva and urine as part of the IDEL Diagnostic Programme. Based upon the results of this test, adjustments will be made to the internal biochemistry using natural remedies to bring it back into balance. This is important for optimising health.

To read more information on this interesting subject:

Biological Terrain Analysis