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While most of us are aware of the importance of drinking a sufficient amount of water each day, we do not always think about our body fluids in terms of our health.

Tears, one of our most important body fluids, are made up of three different materials:

• Mucous secretions
• Watery tears
• Oil

Mucous secretions originate from what is called the goblet cells. Goblet cells are found in our eyelids, and they are responsible for producing the layer of tears that are in the closest contact with our eyes. It is important for our bodies to ingest adequate amounts of Vitamin A and carotenoids because they play an important role in helping our goblet cells to produce mucous. All it takes is the depletion of one component of our tears to create a dry-eye situation, and to put our eyes at risk of developing health problems.

The watery part of our tears comes from the lachrymal glands. This component of our tears is critical for maintaining healthy moisture in our eyes, so drinking lots of water is very important.

The oil component is produced in the Meibomian glands. This oil is generated on top of the watery component so that more moisture can be retained in our eyes. You must consume appropriate amounts of fatty acids in order to keep the oil production in your eyes at a healthy and constant level. While most people never think of any oils as being a part of our vital body fluids, they are an intricate and necessary component of maintaining good health.

What You Need To Know For Maintaining Healthy Tear Production

Overall, it is very important for us to consume adequate amounts of protein, potassium, zinc, and Vitamins A, B6, and C in order to maintain healthy tear production. It should be noted, however, that it is possible to consume too much when it comes to certain parts of your diet. Studies have shown that eating too much salt, alcohol, fat, protein, sugar, or salt can lead to abnormal tear production.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a protein that serves many functions in our bodies. It is found in some of our body fluids, most notably our mucous secretions such as tears, saliva, nasal secretions, and pancreatic juice. The highest levels of lactoferrin are found in human milk. This protein is very important because it acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Though research is still ongoing as to the many benefits that lactoferrin may potentially offer to human health, it is known to be a huge defense against a variety of pathogens. For example, recent research has shown that lactoferrin prevents bacteria from generating into potentially deadly biofilms.

Biofilms

Biofilms are microorganisms that are known to bear at least some responsibility for various microbial infections in the human body. There is a definite relationship between normal goblet and cilia cells and biofilms. Those who have normal levels of body fluids in their goblet and cilia cells do not develop biofilms. Biofilms are believed to play a part in the following health problems:

• Gingivitis
• Dental plaque
• Inner ear infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Catheter infections
• Coating of contact lenses

Biofilms grow and develop from a variety of bacteria that may be present in the human body. These microorganisms thrive on iron, as it is a necessary component for biofilms to be able to grow and flourish.

Did you know that biofilms generally only develop in people whose immune systems have been compromised?

It is important to note that biofilm research is still in the early stages. It has only been in the last 20 years that scientists have realized that there was more to disease than simple bacteria. What this means is that a vast majority of vaccines and antibiotics are ineffective against diseases and illnesses that are caused by the presence of biofilms.

The best precaution that we can all take is to make sure that we have sufficient lactoferrin in our bodies, as it is the best defense against the development of biofilms.

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